We often forget that even companies as big and known as Microsoft use endless amounts of water to keep their operations on the go. Water is essential to all life, and there is a great need for us to take better care of it in everything we do. That does not just include households, but also the institutions and organizations that require plenty of water to work efficiently.
As a part of its innovation efforts to sustain the future, Microsoft is also making an effort to replenish more water than the company has consumed within the next ten years.
A Water Struggle for the Entire World
With water covering 70% of the Earth’s surface, up to 97% thereof is saline. It is located in oceans that aren’t fit for consumption or to used to irrigate crops. The remaining water is freshwater – the water source we need more of. It is not equally distributed or often found in reachable places.
Today, humans deplete the 3% freshwater supply at 4.3 trillion cubic meters annually, of which the majority gets used for the industrial and agricultural industry. It is an issue that Microsoft wants to improve in some way, which is why the company has committed to becoming more water positive int their direct water operations by the year 2030. Water consumption will be tackled by reducing the water intensity used. It will also be addressed with the company changing the way it operates, which will save plenty of water globally by 2030.
Other than this, the company recognizes that over 2 billion people lack access to clean drinking water. By the year 2050, the World Bank suggests that climate-induced reduction in freshwater availability with an increase in demand will reduce the availability of water in cities by over 66%. The company’s main initiative is to help solve the water crisis and act fast to do so to slow down future water shortages.
