Sonder Stories: February
Salty Solution: Scientists in South Australia turn the tide on global water shortages
Millions of people around the world don’t have enough clean water to drink, and by 2050, this could affect up to 75% of the world’s population. Desalination (removing salt from seawater) is a solution; however, it requires a lot of energy and harms the environment.
Recently, scientists have found a simple, low-cost way to speed up the process. Professor Haolan Xu and his team at the University of South Australia, working with researchers in China, discovered that adding common clay minerals like zeolite and bentonite to a solar-powered water filter makes seawater evaporate 18.8% faster - a huge improvement, especially compared to traditional methods that saw seawater evaporate slower than pure water.
These minerals help water evaporate more quickly by naturally attracting certain salts to the surface, makes the process more efficient without extra energy, chemicals, or cost. Since there are over 21,000 desalination plants worldwide, this small change could mean millions more tons of clean water for people in need.
This breakthrough could be a game-changer for water shortages in the future, helping billions get fresh water in a safer, greener way.
For more information see:
https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/billions-of-people-could-benefit-from-this-breakthrough-in-desalination-that-ensures-freshwater-for-the-world/
Rooted in Culture, Growing a Greener Future
A native plant nursery in Jerrinja, Culburra Beach is growing more than just plants, it’s supporting environmental conservation and community initiatives.
Gumbaralarng, a nursery run by the Jerrinja Local Aboriginal Land Council (LALC), produces local native plants and tube stock. The team is currently collecting and storing native seeds for a new seed bank and expanding their plant propagation eIorts. This work is part of a broader initiative that supports First Nations communities in participating in carbon farming. Carbon farming aims to reduce carbon emissions, creating employment opportunities, and supporting native ecosystems.
For Aboriginal landholders, carbon farming involves decisions that consider both environmental goals and community priorities. The NSW Government’s Net Zero Land Carbon on Country initiative provides resources and support to assist communities in understanding carbon markets while managing their land and cultural interests. Through partnerships with the NSW Aboriginal Land Council and Local Land Services, the initiative has engaged with up to 47 LALC’s across NSW, including Jerrinja. These collaborations focus on economic and environmental projects designed to benefit both communities and local ecosystems.
The next step? Investing in on-the-ground projects that empower First Nations landholders to take charge of their carbon rights—ensuring a sustainable, culturally-led future for generations to come.
For more information see: https://www.energy.nsw.gov.au/government-and-local-organisations/stories-success-local/creating-opportunities-heal-country
Solar-powered backpacks give Tanzanian students a safe and reliable way to study after dark
Innocent James, a 33-year-old Tanzanian entrepreneur, has spent the past nine years turning discarded cement bags into solar-powered backpacks - Soma Bags.
By addressing two major challenges at once, James has provided rural children with a reliable light source for studying after dark while also reducing massive amounts of waste. In Tanzania, the sun sets around 7pm year-round, limiting study time for students who lack proper lighting and often rely on expensive or dangerous alternatives like kerosene lamps.
His journey began in 2016 when he started sewing inexpensive solar cells onto bags, selling them for just $4–$8, the same cost as running a kerosene lantern for two weeks.
Backed by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), Soma Bags has grown exponentially. Today, the company produces 13,000 bags, employs 85 workers, and keeps 200,000 cement sacks off the streets each month - proving that innovation can be both practical and transformative.
For more information see: https://edition.cnn.com/world/africa/tanzania-soma-bags-reading-light-spc/index.html
