Water matters. Climate change is leading to an increased frequency of extreme weather events, including severe droughts and catastrophic flooding. Meanwhile, human activity is having a deeply problematic impact on our rivers and oceans.
Our coverage this year looked at the technological innovations helping manage, purify and desalinate potentially potable water, as well as the campaign to ban microbeads from our beauty products.
Jo Confino examined Sir Ian Cheshire’s call for the creation of a national flood plan that goes beyond using the UK floods as a “political football” and Oliver Balch explored how ethical bottled water companies like One Water and Belu are faring in the face of bottled water giants, such as Coca-Cola.
1. Ethical bottled water companies find it hard to compete with Nestlé and Coke
Cost of business makes it an ‘uphill battle’ for the likes of Belu and One Water aiming to make a dent in the world’s water crisis
2. Is solar-powered desalination answer to water independence for California?
From Isle of Man to Saudi Arabia, renewable desalination is gaining interest around the world as solution to water scarcity and food crisis
3. The new water technologies that could save the planet
What are the new and emerging technologies that will help business overcome the scarcity of clean, fresh water?
4. Sir Ian Cheshire: London at risk of catastrophic flooding
Kingfisher boss calls on the government to create a national flood plan and stop using floods as a ‘political football’
5. Ditching microbeads: the search for sustainable skincare
As activists push for a ban on microbeads, cosmetic companies - and consumers - search for environmentally-friendly substitutes
Get involved!
Let us know your favourite water story from 2014. Tweet us @GuardianSustBiz with #GSB2014. To get in touch with ideas for coverage in 2015, email tess.riley@theguardian.com.
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