Bill Gates, We Implore You to Fund Desalination Technology
Bill Gates, We Implore You to Fund Desalination Technology
The Issue
Dear Bill Gates,
We are facing a global catastrophe. As the world’s freshwater supply dwindles, entire populations are already suffering from water scarcity—and the crisis is only getting worse. This is a crisis that affects everyone. It crosses borders, politics, and privilege. And it’s one we can solve—if someone has the vision and courage to lead.
You have that power. You’ve pledged to give away most of your wealth, and we are asking—begging—you to direct a major portion of it toward the solution that could change everything: sustainable desalination.
Desalination already works. Countries like Israel and the UAE have built massive systems that extract clean drinking water from seawater. But these systems rely heavily on fossil fuels, are expensive to operate, and can’t be scaled globally in their current form.
The science is ready. New technologies like solar-powered reverse osmosis, graphene filtration, nanotech membranes, and zero-liquid-discharge systems are showing immense promise. But without large-scale investment, they will stay trapped in labs and small pilot projects.
With your resources—nearly $200 billion—you could:
Fund world-class desalination R&D hub—Accelerate next-generation, low-carbon water systems—Subsidize infrastructure in the most water-stressed nations—Partner with governments and the UN to make water a human right—Make clean water cheaper than freshwater extraction—Lead a global shift in how we survive (and thrive) in a hotter, drier world
This is bigger than philanthropy. This is about legacy. Clean water is life.
This issue is personal to me because it is personal to every living thing on this planet. We are all made of water, we need it to survive.
We are not asking for a handout. We are asking for vision. For a redirection of wealth into something truly lasting: a world where every human being has access to clean, affordable water—no matter where they live.
Please, Bill Gates. Be the one who solved the water crisis.
With urgency and hope,
Rachel Jones
Indianapolis, IN
And supporters worldwide
9
The Issue
Dear Bill Gates,
We are facing a global catastrophe. As the world’s freshwater supply dwindles, entire populations are already suffering from water scarcity—and the crisis is only getting worse. This is a crisis that affects everyone. It crosses borders, politics, and privilege. And it’s one we can solve—if someone has the vision and courage to lead.
You have that power. You’ve pledged to give away most of your wealth, and we are asking—begging—you to direct a major portion of it toward the solution that could change everything: sustainable desalination.
Desalination already works. Countries like Israel and the UAE have built massive systems that extract clean drinking water from seawater. But these systems rely heavily on fossil fuels, are expensive to operate, and can’t be scaled globally in their current form.
The science is ready. New technologies like solar-powered reverse osmosis, graphene filtration, nanotech membranes, and zero-liquid-discharge systems are showing immense promise. But without large-scale investment, they will stay trapped in labs and small pilot projects.
With your resources—nearly $200 billion—you could:
Fund world-class desalination R&D hub—Accelerate next-generation, low-carbon water systems—Subsidize infrastructure in the most water-stressed nations—Partner with governments and the UN to make water a human right—Make clean water cheaper than freshwater extraction—Lead a global shift in how we survive (and thrive) in a hotter, drier world
This is bigger than philanthropy. This is about legacy. Clean water is life.
This issue is personal to me because it is personal to every living thing on this planet. We are all made of water, we need it to survive.
We are not asking for a handout. We are asking for vision. For a redirection of wealth into something truly lasting: a world where every human being has access to clean, affordable water—no matter where they live.
Please, Bill Gates. Be the one who solved the water crisis.
With urgency and hope,
Rachel Jones
Indianapolis, IN
And supporters worldwide
9
The Decision Makers
Supporter Voices
Petition created on May 9, 2025