Spooks and water wars

Last week British MI5 officers saved a scientist from being captured by Chinese security services. She’d discovered a new cost-effective desalinization technology that the Chinese wanted, to corner the market in ‘water technology’.

Why? Because there’s increasing concern over how our growing population will source enough fresh water in a climate changing world.

Of course, the plot doesn’t come from real life, but from the popular BBC drama, Spooks, now in its ninth series. But is it really so farfetched? Concerns over ‘water wars’ have been on the rise in recent years and the issue is coming under closer scrutiny.

Farmers are on the front line of climate change impacts, and access to water resources is likely to be one of the most critical challenges we face. Could we soon be seeing geo-political wars over technologies that will enable farmers to keep feeding the world and lifting themselves and their communities out of poverty? When MI5 get involved, perhaps a bit of investment in agricultural R&D might become a bit more of a priority…

Weak signals posts explore ideas, trends, technologies or behaviour changes that are as yet unrecognised by the mainstream farming industry. They might have a big impact on future farm practices or they might disappear. They help us to challenge assumptions about the future, navigate risk and seize new opportunities. If you spot a weak signal, get in touch and we'll get it on the site.
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