Sustainability at the Core
Sustainability was the heart of our project. Living in Kuwait, we see firsthand how water scarcity and heat affect our environment every day, so we wanted to create something that could actually help.
Engineering for a Greener Future
Our project uses engineered E. coli that produce extracellular polysaccharides (EPS) to help soil hold on to water for longer, reducing how often it needs to be irrigated. This means farmers can use less water while still keeping their plants healthy, making agriculture more sustainable in our arid climate.
Eco-Friendly by Design
Our solution is also biodegradable and eco-friendly, unlike chemical soil additives that can harm the environment. We designed this project to work with nature, not against it — using biology to conserve one of Kuwait’s most precious resources: water.
Linking to the SDGs
SDG 13: Climate Action
Goal: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.
Our project conserves water and maintains healthier soil, directly addressing challenges worsened by climate change, such as drought and heat. It supports climate adaptation by encouraging sustainable land management practices in arid regions, strengthening resilience against environmental stress.
SDG 15: Life on Land
Goal: Protect, restore, and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems.
By offering a biodegradable and eco-friendly solution, the project enhances soil health and protects biodiversity. Unlike harmful chemicals, it avoids ecological damage and restores natural balance. This aligns with Target 15.3: “Combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil, and strive to achieve a land degradation-neutral world.”
SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
Goal: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.
Our innovation replaces harmful, non-biodegradable chemicals with a natural, safe, and biodegradable alternative. This contributes to Target 12.4: “By 2020, achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes… and significantly reduce their release to air, water, and soil.” It also promotes the efficient and correct usage of water on soil and sand, ensuring long-term sustainability of resources.