logo
episode-header-image
Jun 2024
22m 59s

Saving water at a time of scarcity

Bbc World Service
About this episode

Just over a quarter of people on the planet live in water stressed countries. And our increasing demands for water as well as climate change is putting even more pressure on this finite resource.

We take a look at how Indian farmers are growing crops with a device that stores rain underground. Plus how a test farm in the US uses a special clay liquid to grow vegetables in the desert. Finally we visit a project in Cyprus that could help coastal cities clean and reuse their wastewater in a more eco-friendly way.

Presenter: Myra Anubi Producer/reporter: Claire Bates US reporter: Anthony Wallace Series Producer: Jon Bithrey Editor: Tom Bigwood Sound Mix: Andrew Mills

(Image: Biplab Paul demonstrating his bhungroo device in Gujarat, India, Biplab Paul)

Up next
Aug 18
The preschool in a retirement home
A unique community in Chester in northern England, brings multiple generations together to encourage learning and connection. We explore how young children in the onsite nursery benefit from the time, attention and vocabulary skills offered by the older adults. Meanwhile the reti ... Show More
23m 2s
Aug 11
The world's largest wildlife crossing
When it opens in December, the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing will be the largest in the world. Stretched over a 10-lane freeway, it is intended to help save California's mountain lion population, which has become fragmented by the highway. It could also serve as a model for ... Show More
22m 58s
Aug 11
The cows fighting wildfires
Another summer brings more deadly and disruptive wildfires in Europe. As the earth warms up, they’re becoming increasingly common and harder to deal with. We hear about a special herd of cows which could help to keep some of the flames under control in future. And we find out how ... Show More
23m 21s
Recommended Episodes
Mar 2025
Liquid Demand: Tech Solutions for Water Stress
We live on an increasingly thirsty planet. Growing populations and rising demand from industry, data centers and farming have led to water stress across the globe. Even under a scenario where global warming is limited to 2C, some three billion people are projected to live in area ... Show More
29m 51s
Jun 2021
Listen Again: Our Relationship With Water
We need water to live. But with rising seas and so many lacking clean water — water is in crisis and so are we. This hour, TED speakers explore ideas around restoring our relationship with water. Guests on the show include legal scholar Kelsey Leonard, artist LaToya Ruby Frazier, ... Show More
49m 26s
Sep 2016
Using Other People’s Water
Bridget Kendal is joined by Professor in Water Management Arjen Hoekstra to discuss the idea that we urgently need to change industrial and agricultural practices to reduce our water footprint and avert a global crisis. Esther de Jong specialises in water usage in the developing ... Show More
39m 49s
Oct 2022
Women making the most of water
<p>Nearly half of the world’s population lives in an area that faces water scarcity for at least a month every year and one in three people globally do not have access to safe drinking water. Today we meet two women who are working on solutions to cope with droughts. Jimena Puy ... Show More
28m 17s