The article highlights the dire water crisis in Argentina's Patagonia, particularly in the Gulf of San Jorge, where years of intensive oil extraction have severely depleted water resources, leading to a university closure due to lack of water. This crisis is not merely a passing drought but a culmination of decades of environmental mismanagement that has rendered water a precarious resource rather than a guaranteed service. The community's attempts to address the situation, such as the installation of a reverse osmosis plant in Caleta Olivia, have faced significant challenges, including high energy consumption and inefficient operation, operating at only a third of its capacity.

Furthermore, the piece emphasizes the importance of context when applying technological solutions to environmental issues. Although reverse osmosis is a known technology, its effectiveness in the specific conditions of Patagonia has proven lacking, demonstrating how tailored approaches are necessary in addressing resource scarcity. The scientists involved, a mathematical physicist and an astronomer, are introducing a green hydrogen specialization amid this crisis, likely aiming to foster innovative solutions and promote sustainability in water resource management.

Overall, the situation in Patagonia serves as a wake-up call for countries like Mexico, facing similar challenges regarding water scarcity. The lessons learned from the mismanagement of water resources in Patagonia could inform and guide Mexico in developing more sustainable practices and technologies to combat its own water crises, especially in light of increasing environmental pressures and climate change.