The Waterly
"The Waterly" is a weekly all-things-water newsletter we share with our community covering the latest innovations and investment deal flow in the water sector and recent news on climate change and water-related crises.
A new AI-made enzyme can eat plastic in hours. John Kerry says clean energy transition is the largest market the world has ever seen. Climate disasters funding increased more than 800% in 20 years. Microplastics were found in Antarctica. Russia-Ukraine war has killed thousands of dolphins. PFAS is impacting men's sperm. Is climate change making humans shrink? Julie Shafer Davitz is this week's highlighted WELL member.
Your weekly Bonus - How are human-made shipwrecks changing life in the deep sea.
This week's water fact:
Three million shipwrecks are sitting on sea beds around the world
Tech & Innovation
Japan's trial of a deep ocean turbine could offer limitless renewable energy
Japan is both power-hungry and fossil-fuel reliant making for a bad combination but that could all soon change. The nation has now successfully tested a system relying on the deep ocean that could provide a reliable steady form of renewable energy.
A new AI-made enzyme can devour plastics in hours instead of centuries
A novel synthetic enzyme developed with AI may break down waste plastics in hours rather than the centuries it would take to totally degrade.
The world’s first transoceanic voyage with autonomous navigation is a success
Avikus, a subsidiary of Hyundai, has successfully completed the first transoceanic voyage of a large merchant ship using autonomous navigation technologies, the company said in a press release.
Corporate & Deals
NoNa Desalination converts saltwater cleaner into MIT $100K win
The winner of this year’s MIT $100K Launch competition is a portable desalination device that runs on less power than a cellphone charger and is the size of a case of bottled water and will use its winnings to put prototypes in the hands of its primary users — sailors.
John Kerry says clean energy transition is the largest market the world has ever seen
Kerry said it’s an opportunity the United States is not taking as seriously as many other nations.
Manchester City FC, Xylem Extend Multi-Year Global Partnership To Tackle Water Challenges
The renewed partnership includes the Manchester City men’s and women’s teams, and MLS Champions New York City FC and Mumbai City, who are part of City Football Group (CFG).
Water & the Environment
Microplastics were just found in Antarctica's fresh snow for the first time
After discovering microplastics in bottled water, high in the Alps, and even in human blood, researchers have now found the pollutant in fresh Antarctic snow. They reported their findings — based on samples that were collected in 2019 — in a paper published in the peer-reviewed journal The Cryosphere.
Funding needed for climate disasters has risen ‘more than 800%’ in 20 years
Only about half the funds required are being provided by rich countries, according to a report by Oxfam.
Climate crisis could make humans shrink in size, says fossil expert
The climate crisis may lead the human race to shrink in size, as mammals with smaller frames appear better able to deal with rising global temperatures, a leading fossil expert has said.
Russia-Ukraine war has killed 'several thousand dolphins' and harmed the marine ecosystem, say Black Sea scientists
One Ukrainian ecologist has said that "several thousands of dolphins have already died." The Turkish Marine Research Foundation has said the war is causing a "crisis in biodiversity."
PFAS & Chemicals
Cocktail of chemical pollutants linked to falling sperm quality in research
Exclusive: Study finds people have ‘astonishing’ levels of compounds thought to disrupt hormones.
EPA Issues First Test Order Under National Testing Strategy For PFAS In Commercial Fire Fighting Foam And Other Uses
“For far too long, families across America, especially those in underserved communities, have suffered from PFAS. High-quality, robust data on PFAS helps EPA to better understand and ultimately reduce the potential risks caused by these chemicals,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan.
Julie Davitz is an impact advisor who leverages her knowledge of grant-making, development and impact investing with executive experience gained from over 20 years in these sectors. Julie Davitz founded Plus Media Solutions to democratize access to positive social solutions.
After joining a water charity and becoming aware of the first-world challenges with water, she created the GlobalWaterWorks CONNECT platform to connect drops of interest in water for waves of impact. More than 1000 water Julie formerly served as SVP, Head of Impact Solutions for BNP Paribas/Bank of the West’s Wealth Management division, supporting clients in creating nonprofit and for-profit lasting change while pursuing their personal impact and financial goals. Known as an innovator who develops and sustains cause-related initiatives and investments, Julie is committed to sharing her deep experience and expertise to increase awareness of impact solutions, improve effectiveness in the social impact space and build collaborative relationships.
Thank you Julie for your deep experience and expertise to increase awareness of impact solutions. You are a true inspiration for WIA and the WELL community.
Marine Life
Millions of Shipwrecks Lost to The Ocean Are Changing Life in The Deep Sea
Scientists say these human-made structures are having an important impact on the delicate ecosystems down at the bottom of the oceans, to an extent that hasn't really been appreciated before.
