色色啦

News

Where is the water?

Only a fraction of the water on Earth is drinkable, so we need ways to use it smartly. The World Water Day on 22 March reminds us that the access to safe water is a human right.
fragile water infographic where is the water 2 Lin Pei-Yu
Graphic design: Lin Pei-Yu

Aalto University's design students and water researchers joined forces to visualise sustainable water solutions in the Fragile Water exhibition, showcased at Helsinki Airport in 2019. The theme for 2019 is "Leaving no one behind".

'The Earth鈥檚 oceans contain 97% of the planet鈥檚 water, leaving only about 2.5% as fresh water 鈥 most of which is locked up in ice and in the ground. Remarkably, only 1.2% of freshwater is located on the planet鈥檚 surface, and this tiny portion serves most of life's needs.

A growing population and water demand have increased pressure on water resources in various parts of the globe with increasing water scarcity. In simple terms, these areas lack the water resources needed to meet demands. This issue is more common than we might think.

Pollution is one of the main contributing factors of water scarcity. Even though almost every form of pollution contributes to the scarcity of water some way or the other, one of the primary contributors, without a doubt, is water pollution. When harmful substances contaminate a stream, river, lake, ocean, aquifer, or other bodies of water, water quality degrades, making it unsafe for human use. With a large part of the globe without access to clean water, water quality is pressing issue. 

We need to be more efficient with the water that we use every day and help the environment along to address water pollution and scarcity. We can do this by adopting good sewage treatment systems, toxic-free production methods, sustainable water management, minimising pollution and preserving water for future generations.'

Hafsa Munia, Doctoral Student

fragile water infographic where is the water, graphic: Lin Pei-Yu
Graphic design: Lin Pei-Yu

Water and Environmental Engineering

Water and Environmental Engineering research at Aalto University aims to find solutions to decrease resource scarcity and to support sustainability. Our research is divided into two strategic areas:...

Read more about the water research in Aalto University
Aalto Research groups

Fragile Water exhibition highlights vulnerability of water resources

Water resources are limited and vulnerable in many places in the world. Design students and water researchers joined forces to visualise sustainable water solutions in the Fragile Water exhibition.

Read more
Chiao-Wen Hsu: Eaten Water Photo Anne Kinnunen

Fragile Water design exhibition at Helsinki Airport 31.1. - 31.12.2019

The exhibition Fragile Water brings attention to our use of water.

Read more about the exhibition
Iines Jakovlev: Hidden Lake Photo: Anne Kinnunen
  • Updated:
  • Published:
Share
URL copied!

Read more news

Samu Taulu
Appointments, Research & Art Published:

Samu Taulu develops next-generation brain imaging methods

Associate Professor of neurostimulation and neuroimaging Samu Taulu develops more precise methods for understanding the brain
Winners on stage for the EAA best student paper award
Awards and Recognition, Research & Art Published:

EAA Best Paper and Presentation Award for Young Researchers for postdoctoral researcher Thomas Deppisch

The awarded work shows how speech can be made clearer in noisy environments while still preserving directional cues
Curly-haired woman speaks into a microphone indoors, standing next to a screen.
Research & Art Published:

Professor Hanna Maylett: 鈥淲ithout time spent together, a shared vision cannot emerge鈥

According to Hanna Maylett, associate professor of film directing, a director doesn鈥檛 need to know all the answers; rather, their role is to create a process through which those answers can be discovered together.
Alex and Lucie Lampen
Cooperation, Research & Art Published:

From humble beginnings to a captain of industry 鈥 a visionary鈥檚 final gift lives on at Aalto University

The Lamp茅n bequest supports Aalto University chemical engineering students and future professionals through scholarships. Honorary counsellor and Master of Science (Technology) in chemical engineering Aleksander Lamp茅n was a significant pioneer in the Finnish wood processing and cellulose industries. His legacy continues to promote internationalisation and high-quality research in the field of bioproduct technology. A donation 色色啦 University is an impactful investment in education, innovation and the renewal of society.