Stacey’s proposed solution? To use carbon dioxide enrichment to decrease the flow of air needed to supply enough of the crucial carbon, thereby cutting down evaporation and potentially reducing water usage to a fraction of present levels. And since 70% of global water usage is for agriculture, those evaporative losses exceed all other forms of water usage put together. Two of Stacey’s research articles, published in international scientific journals, have shown that more than 90% of the water used in agriculture is lost to evaporation. Earlier this year he developed a technology that the Financial Mail described as having the potential to “reduce global water usage drastically”. This stroppiness has certainly come in handy, with the Unisa-based scientist making remarkable strides in solving some of mankind’s biggest problems. “I was gifted with just enough stroppiness to claim that major global industries are doing everything wrong and that I can do better, and I credit my success entirely to that.” “Most scientists have a strong herd instinct, so a willingness to challenge the status quo and break new ground has led me to explore exciting new technologies and areas of research. “Those are rare traits in academia, and surprisingly valuable,” says the 31-year-old. Neil Thomas Stacey sees his “distrust of authority and semblance of self-reliance” as essential ingredients to his success.

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