The Way of the Water – World Water Day 2023
Symbolism is a prominent tool in an ever-evolving 21st Century society. Symbolism deriving from history, from religion, literature, music and in this particular case, pop culture via the arts. Hollywood is no stranger to this concept and as both man-made and natural events continue to threaten the stability of humanity, we can be forgiven for turning to fantasy for some semblance of solace. James Cameron’s Avatar is one such example. The long-awaited sequel, titled “Avatar: The Way of the Water”, sees the fictional Na’vi clan fight for the protection of their homeland in Pandora, a region that both champions and worships the elements; earth and water. The premise is a surprisingly relatable one; a rural community up against the relentless jackboot of corporate colonisers. A familiar plotline, yet one that thematically links the beauty of nature with the concept of Utopia. But beyond the plot mechanics and stunning visual effects lies one of the most primal threats of all, not to the Na’vi, but to us.
An Existential Threat
In many respects, the plight of the Na’vi bears resemblance to our world and the existential threats we face today. Climate change in its general form is the buzzword of the day and therefore receives the most coverage, yet there are subsectors (freshwater in particular), that continue to be neglected. Today, only 3% of the Earth’s water is classed as freshwater and the majority of it is found deep underground, or in frozen glaciers. For all the lush fauna and appealing aesthetics we have come to expect in a web-based society, the reality on the ground is far more dire. Despite the low levels of freshwater, wastewater continues to find itself entering the water stream and on the list of the world’s biggest culprits, the textile industry is second, with the fashion industry producing a mammoth 20% of the world’s wastewater alone. It would be easy to blame the pursuit of profit and while it is undoubtedly a key factor, it seems surprising that in a world that is now aware of climate change and the need to protect natural resources, that wider industries haven’t committed to more sustainable practices.
The State of Play
When we think of some of the more prominent awareness days and in this case, World Water Day, it could be argued that the majority of people consider their personal consumption on a localized level: how long they spend in the shower, whether the tap stays on while washing up, using washing machines and cleaning cars. What people may not immediately consider is the waste accrued by the production of their clothes and the impact this has on the wider ecosystem. A report from 2017 suggested that 93 billion cubic metres of water was consumed by the textile industry, with the number only set to increase over the coming years. For comparison, the UN suggests that this would be enough to meet the needs of five million people, while the 7,500 litres of water it takes to make a single pair of jeans is the equivalent to the amount of water the average person drinks over a seven-year period. Startling numbers to say the least and as fashion continues to soar, we must not ignore the long-term consequences of complacency with regard to water consumption.
A Simple Solution?
As societal trends shift toward global awareness of climate change and water scarcity, sustainable production lines will soon be the norm not just culturally, but legally as well. The solution, it would appear, is relatively simple in theory but has yet to be adopted industry-wide. A closed-loop system as proposed and developed by Waste2Fresh, designed to ensure that water consumed in the manufacturing process can be recycled and reused. By decreasing overall water consumption and by extension, the output of wastewater, organisations will save not only the environment around them, but also energy, organics, salts and heavy metals, all of which will result in increased efficiency in the manufacturing chain.
One Giant Leap
In an era of technology and amid the sheer domination of social media, it is easy to perhaps forget the pleasures and beauties offered by mother nature, ones that we have undoubtedly been taking advantage of. World Water Day celebrates the single most important source of life in this world and one that has been taken for granted.
It is not enough, and the Na’vi would agree, that we appreciate it’s beauty from afar, constantly reminding ourselves that we are doing our bit in the fight against water scarcity and more broadly, climate change. Radical changes are needed across the industry and Waste2Fresh offers an innovative solution, ripe for upscaling in the textiles industry.
Hollywood often get’s it wrong, but while we enjoy the magic of Pandora from the comforts of our homes, let’s not forget that their plight is ours, we just haven’t realised it yet.