Ashok Gadgil: Science, I think, should play a central role in the lives of the seven billion, and eight and nine billion to come.
EarthSky spoke with environmental scientist Ashok Gadgil of the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Dr Gadgil has spent decades applying science to improve the lives of the world’s poor.
Ashok Gadgil: When it comes to issues that are desperate problems for the bottom half, economically, the bottom half of humanity, problems could be very serious, regarding shelter and access to safe drinking water, access to energy, and even adequate food supplies going forward. And science could make a huge difference there.
Dr. Gadgil has a long list of inexpensive inventions he’s developed that address big problems, including a simple cook stove for families in Darfur that’s three times as efficient as traditional ones. And he developed a water purifier that uses ultraviolet light to produce clean water for 1,000 people each day.
Ashok Gadgil: About 1.2 billion people lack access to safe drinking water. The challenge is not simply in how to disinfect water with pathogens, the challenge is how to make it affordable for the very people who are at the bottom of the economic pyramid.
Dr. Gadgil spoke of the most important problems humans face today where science can make a difference.
Ashok Gadgil: Depending on where those people are, the problems will be very different. I mean, somebody who is starving in a famine-stricken land in Africa would have very different problems than somebody who is in a wealthy country stricken with a difficult disease.
While I applaud Ashok’s efforts, the best way to help the poor of the world is to give them the gift that will keep on giving. Individual sovereignty and capitalism. That way they can keep the fruits of their labors and build a future. Until these peopel own themselves and the product of their own labor, sweat, intuition and risk, nothing at all will help them. The despot in charge will continue to use them and throw them away. Such is the way of feudalism and collectivism.
Bravo, Dr. Gadgil. I purchased a smaller version of the ultraviolet light which comes with a solar charger. I’ve used it for several years when venturing into remote locations and foreign travel. It is excellent technology as I’ve never taken ill from water treated with it. I’m curious if you’ve looked at MIOX systems for water purification? They are relatively inexpensive and require only salt and a little electricity to work and are effective with silted water.
Hi Hank
where did you purchase your unit and what circumstances have you used it under?
thanks
ben
Dr Gadgil, I was very inspired to hear your interview on NPR and thus to find you at this site. I am in San Diego but trying to work in Nepal to solve some of the very issues you mention and have been very frustrated by either the politics or the cost of meaningful interventions. Your inventions seems like godsent so the 2 questions…
where can I buy the systems
and is there any reason that you gave only one company the rights to manufacture the units. could the units be manufatured in Nepal or India say to be widely available in the market.
thanks for your vision!!!
benshakya,
Take a look at the SteriPEN Adventurer with solar charger. Being an avid backpacker and international traveler, I have used it with everything from Grand Canyon stream water to Mexican tap water. It uses an ultraviolet bulb to treat water in 90 seconds. The only issues you need to be aware of are:
1) It doesn’t work with silted water. You will need to filter the water first or allow the water to settle before treatment.
2) It is electronic, meaning it could fail unexpectedly. While my unit has been quite reliable in abusive situations, it is a rule that you should carry iodine tablets in case of a failure of the unit. Alternatively, carry a spare unit.
Regards
wow, veeeeeeeeery interesting to know. i just loooooooves it. like, OMG!
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PS I am asian