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For Anas Ghadouani, Professor of Environmental Engineering, solving the world’s water problems starts with looking at ways to reduce waste. It’s a unique approach to tackle one of the world’s biggest challenges, and was the theme of his talk at TEDxPerth last Saturday.

Growing up in Morocco, in a family of academics, Anas has fond memories of his family hosting visitors and the variety of interesting topics discussed.

“I remember we had many visitors and it wasn’t too long before young and old would be sitting together and everyone would be sharing their thoughts and ideas, like a lecture.

“In Morocco, we call this ‘the theatre of the circle’ or a ‘circle of conversation’”, he said.

It’s not surprising then that these fond memories and experiences have shaped Anas’ approach to knowledge sharing with his students, or participants as he prefers to call them, and now on stage at TEDxPerth.

Selected to present at the popular TEDxPerth event, Anas, an expert in all aspects of water engineering and management, said it was incredibly uplifting to be amongst some great speakers talking about sustainable living, but it was the sharing of ideas and innovation that truly resonated with him.

Anas believes knowledge sharing is incredibly valuable as a way to work together, and the best approach if we address issues such as water and food sustainability.

“People take water for granted but if we turn this view around, there’s no actual water shortage, we just deploy it in the wrong way.

“A survey showed that more than 85% of people in Western Australia don’t know where their water comes from and goes to,” he said.

His argument - if you want to do anything about water, it starts at the dinner table.

“The footprint of water used in the production and transport of food adds up to about 3,500 litres per person, per day on average, and this doesn’t include the amount of food that ends as waste.

“Food is what unifies us all and we should reflect on where it comes from and how it has arrived at our table,” he said.

He is also passionate about involving students in their learning, acknowledging they each have something unique to offer. He encourages his top level students to assist the next year’s students to work together.

“Our students discuss complex and integrated engineering and social approaches to solving the challenges we face with water and by working together it really broadens their perspective.

“I believe we all have a responsibility for the next person’s learning,” he said.

It’s not surprising then that one of Anas’ favourite books The Pleasure of Finding Things Out by Richard P. Feynman, sits prominently in his office.

It’s his curiosity for learning, combined with his deep belief that you should pick your own 'coup de  coeur’, a French saying that means ‘ to choose the best thing you love’, that truly motivates him to look at finding better ways to solve these grand challenges.

You'll be able to watch Anas' TEDxPerth talk when it becomes available online in the coming weeks.