Happy Tuesday 👋

Here are the impactful insights that I have for you today:

• A system that turns wastewater into drinking water 🚰
• New technology inspired by spiderwebs that captures water from the air 🕸️
• An upgraded carbon offset verification standard ⚓
• And more… 💚

Imagine if you could quickly turn the water you flush down your toilets and sinks into clean, safe drinking water…

I guess that we’d have to get used to drinking this water straight after flushing it down, but this would be a great solution to cut down on water waste. Especially with more and more countries that face water scarcity.

One solution that aims to make water more circular is coming from a place you might least expect—the driest country in Sub-Saharan Africa.

🚰 How to Turn Wastewater Into Drinking Water

1️⃣ The big picture: Namibia is the driest country in Sub-Saharan Africa. Yet, the capital city, Windhoek, has suddenly become an inspiration for many of the largest cities in the world thanks to their innovative system that turns sewage into safe drinking water in just 24 hours. The multi-barrier treatment, which uses a process called Direct Potable Reuse (DPR) has been used in the city since the early 1960s but now other countries are taking note in an attempt to solve the global water crisis, such as the US, France, and the UK.

2️⃣ Why is this good news: The world is suffering from a water shortage crisis. For example, the Colorado River, which provides over 40 million people with drinking water, has dried up so much that it’s now operating at just 50% of its normal flow. The Goreangab Water Reclamation Plant in Windhoek is capable of removing preservatives, cosmetics, dishwater remnants, and other contaminants from sewage water. So, if this system can be recreated in major cities around the world, it can solve our water crisis by recycling wastewater rather than gathering and treating freshwater. 

3️⃣ What’s next: Delegations from the US, France, Singapore, Germany, India, Australia, and the United Arab Emirates have already visited Windhoek to understand how the technological process would work in a different facility. As a result, El Paso Water will begin operating the very first Direct Potable Reuse (DPR) facility in 2025, distributing up to 10 million gallons of wastewater a day across North America. Other cities are expected to follow suit.

👉 Related: You can already help to ensure that every community has access to clean water by contributing to the best charities that fight for clean water! You can also help to protect vital freshwater sources by contributing to the best charities that help conserve our rivers.

📢 More Good News…

🕸️ Novel technology inspired by spiderwebs can capture water from thin air:

• Researchers from the University of Waterloo have developed a sponge-like membrane with a large surface area that will continually capture water vapor from the atmosphere.
• The innovative technology is inspired by the way spiderwebs trap moisture from the air, eliminating the need for arachnids to physically drink from a water source.
• The biomimetic surface engineering project is a new form of sustainable water harvesting that offers a sustainable alternative to traditional water collection from groundwater, rivers, and lakes amidst the serious challenge of freshwater scarcity. 

🧫 A broad immunotherapy cell therapy could be the key to curing all blood cancers:

• Scientists used modified CAR T cells to target CD45 surface markers, which are present in nearly all blood cell cancers.
• CAR T cell therapy is currently approved to treat five subtypes of blood cancer.
• However, scientists at the University of Pennsylvania have demonstrated the efficiency of this approach to treat all blood cancers in initial preclinical tests.

⚖️ World-leading organization releases updated verified carbon standard:

• Vera’s VCS Standard is the largest emissions reduction crediting program in the world, which is trusted by big corporations such as Disney and Netflix. 
• Their new standards include credit labels that will clearly distinguish between greenhouse gas emissions reduction methods used by companies and carbon dioxide removal.
• This is a welcome upgrade, given the recent scandal about some of Verra’s previously verified projects.

📖 Event of the Week: International Literacy Day

👉 Did you know that this Friday, September 08, is International Literacy Day? The event was set up to raise awareness of the issues surrounding adult and child literacy around the world. Today, the event is part of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals Program.

1️⃣ The big picture: International Literacy Day was founded in 1967 by UNESCO (The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization) as a worldwide event to remind the public of the importance of reading and literacy. It’s also a time to raise awareness of the barriers preventing access to basic education, especially in underdeveloped countries.

2️⃣ Why is this important: Despite progress being made in recent years, approximately 773 million people are still illiterate worldwide. These people are more likely to experience poor employment opportunities and lower income, which can lead to low self-esteem and higher rates of crime. There is a strong link between poverty and illiteracy because individuals in poorer countries are less likely to have access to a good education, especially girls. By improving literacy levels around the world, we can improve the lives and prospects of vulnerable communities.

3️⃣ How can you get involved: One of the best ways to get involved in International Literacy Day is to visit a local library. Many of these set up activities to celebrate the event, which are open to the public. Alternatively, you can donate unwanted books to communities in need or teach your children the importance of reading and writing in a fun way. For example, you can get them to design their own book cover or even write their own story. You can also donate directly to the World Literacy Foundation to support every young girl’s right to an education.

Additionally, you can check out the organizations below that fight for equal opportunities in education to improve literacy and reading abilities across the globe:

• 9 Best Charities That Promote Literacy
• 9 Best Charities That Promote Reading
• 9 Best Charities That Promote Children’s Literacy
• 9 Best Charities That Enable Digital & Tech Literacy

📜 This Week in History

🥊 September 05, 1960: Muhammad Ali (then still known as Cassius Clay) won the Gold medal in the 175 lb boxing division at the Olympic Games in Rome. He went on to become one of the most legendary boxers of all time. 

🇧🇷 September 07, 1822: Emperor Dom Pedro I declared the independence of Brazil from Portugal after 322 years as a colony. 

💉 September 07, 1986: Desmond Tutu was ordained as the Archbishop in Cape Town, making him the first black person to lead the Anglican Church in South Africa.

💭 Quote of the Day

“Impossible is just a word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they’ve been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It’s an opinion. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing.”

— Muhammad Ali

Share the news with your friends to make a bigger positive impact on the world and society together!

Stay impactful 💚