NEOM's video: The Future of Water Discuss the Future with Gavin van Tonder BuildingtheFuture

is a driving force in sustainability by introducing advanced measures and procedures to enhance the environment. Watch Gavin van Tonder, The Future of Water Sector Head at NEOM, explain how the first step towards this goal is to stop extracting water from the ground, in the hope that water begins to return to the surface. In place of this extraction process, NEOM will produce water using entirely renewable energy via a solar-powered desalination process with zero liquid discharge. This means NEOM will enhance nature by letting water come back to the surface, and the process will also protect NEOM’s sensitive coral reef system, by preventing brine from being put back into the sea and damaging these highly important corals. Beyond developing these water technologies, NEOM is looking to invest in new innovators and businesses who have advanced water products that could be used in the future. NEOM is truly paving the way to a sustainable future of water production that will enhance nature in the process. Discuss the Future of Education with Christopher Tompkins: https://youtu.be/Vu1n4NbKLh0 Discuss the Future of Health and Well-Being with Dr. Maliha Hashmi: https://youtu.be/lc3h-RGy_v8 Discuss the Future of Health and Well-Being with Professor Melvin Samsom: https://youtu.be/0Uq99yc5W1k Discuss the Future of Sport with Neal Coupland and Ian James: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-VzDTgk60o Discuss the Future of Environment with Dr. Paul Marshall: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mmza2k_o4g ---- Gavin van Tonder is The Future of Water Sector Head at NEOM. In his role, he is responsible for the strategy development, design and implementation of the Water Supply, Water Transmission and Distribution and Waste Treatment departments of NEOM. Gavin is creating a Global Water reference in NEOM focused on improving water performance sustainably, implementing a world-class, smart and connected water infrastructure with the aid of the latest technology and the best minds in the industry. The Water Sector at NEOM is establishing an advanced Innovation hub in order to test out new research and developments to remain forever at the forefront of the water industry. After obtaining his Chemical Engineering degree, Gavin lived and worked in thirteen countries around the world, opening factories, facilities and entities. Gavin was the manager of Schlumberger Oilfield in India, China and Vietnam before turning his attention to Water and served as the Managing Director for the Asia Pacific region. His previous role was that of President of Itron Water, a global water technology company in Austin, USA. Gavin has also served on the Boards of Itron, Actaris and Schlumberger subsidiaries in Australia, India, Indonesia and China, as well as being the Representative for Joint Ventures in these countries. Shannon K. McCarthy has served as Secretary General at the International Desalination Association (IDA) since November 2017. She has extensive experience working in the Middle East and North Africa region, in the field of water sustainability, and in the research and application of advanced water treatment technologies. She has served the International Desalination Association in the volunteer role of First Vice President, Chair of the Foundation and Public Outreach Committee, and she is the President of the Board of the IDA Sustainable Water Resources Foundation. Shannon also co-founded United4Water, a consulting firm operating in the water, food and energy sectors. While she was the Deputy Center Director of the Middle East Desalination Research Center.