00:00Hank Ovink is Executive Director of the Global Commission on the Economics of Water.
00:06Everything in this planet, our economy and for our society, depends on water security.
00:13But we don't have the policies, the programs, the practices and the investments ready to move forward with the action
00:21that is so much needed.
00:23Yeah, and you have argued that we have undervalued water. Does it mean that water needs to become just more
00:29expensive?
00:30No, no. The value of water is seen through its importance for ensuring energy security, food security, a healthy, stable
00:38and secure environment, as well as for stable economy and jobs.
00:43And that is the true value of water. It doesn't always translate into a price. It does.
00:49Water should not be there for grabs and our water infrastructure that gets us fresh water is there.
00:55But right now, more than 2 billion people still lack access to safe drinking water.
01:00And that is not because there is no price for water, but because we undervalue water.
01:05And do you think we have effective solutions now?
01:08Yeah, I think the water space is a solution space by design with the right level of governance, investment programs
01:17and commitment, commitment, commitment.
01:20That is consistent and continuous.
01:22We can not only ensure that everybody has access to safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene facilities, but also that
01:31water is the true underpinner and catalyst for an economy, society and environment that is just, that is sustainable and
01:39that is resilient.
01:40And I also want to talk about artificial intelligence.
01:43We know the AI boom is also putting new pressure on water resources, particularly through data centers.
01:50So should governments require companies to disclose their water consumption or should we be building data centers in water stress
01:57regions?
01:59No, I think the disclosure is for data centers, but for everybody.
02:03We use our economies are using a lot of water, not only using water, but also using land and land
02:12is a critical importance for that water cycle.
02:15So that disclosure or understanding awareness and action is key.
02:19And at the same time, understanding our vulnerability in the context of our critical resources like water.
02:25And then don't exploit those resources in the places where it's already vulnerable, of course, but that is for data
02:32centers because there are consumers of energy and water and because of energy again on water through, but it's true
02:39for our economy at large.
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