ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT: This chapter argues that advances in human ingenuity (how we think about problems), science (what we know and not know about problems) and technology (what we can technically do about problems) produced in the last decades contribute to solving problems of water and food security (or insecurity and associated conflicts), with methods that were unthinkable only two decades ago. This chapter only considers four of these advances. Obviously there are other promising advances but what is presented here refers mainly to those that are cheap and easily available. These are: 1) communication technology (chiefly the Internet) that facilitates, participation, public awareness and education, as well and transparency, which can contribute to reduce corruption; 2) the spectacular increase in virtual water trade due to advances in transportation; 3) desalination thanks to membrane chemical technology that is able to desalt seawater or brackish groundwater or to regenerate waste water at decreasing costs, affordable for many industrial and urban uses; and 4) the silent revolution of irrigation groundwater development that has produced stupendous social and economic benefits although in some countries this has also induced a colossal anarchy and ecological problems. All these aspects are intertwined. However, technology alone will not solve the main water problems. It is necessary to achieve an equilibrium between their utilitarian and symbolic or cultural values. Solutions to water conflicts require considering not only social ethics but also environmental ethics.
