The water footprint of humanity
This study quantifies and maps the water footprint (WF) of humanity at a high spatial resolution. It reports on consumptive use of rainwater (green WF) and ground and surface water (blue WF) and volumes of water polluted (gray WF). Water footprints are estimated per nation from both a production and consumption perspective. International virtual water flows are estimated based on trade in agricultural and industrial commodities. The global annual average WF in the period 1996–2005 was 9,087 Gm3∕y (74% green, 11% blue, 15% gray). Agricultural production contributes 92%. About one-fifth of the global WF relates to production for export. The total volume of international virtual water flows related to trade in agricultural and industrial products was 2,320 Gm3∕y (68% green, 13% blue, 19% gray). The WF of the global average consumer was 1,385 m3∕y. The average consumer in the United States has a WF of 2,842 m3∕y, whereas the average citizens in China and India have WFs of 1,071 and 1,089 m3∕y, respectively. Consumption of cereal products gives the largest contribution to the WF of the average consumer (27%), followed by meat (22%) and milk products (7%). The volume and pattern of consumption and the WF per ton of product of the products consumed are the main factors determining the WF of a consumer. The study illustrates the global dimension of water consumption and pollution by showing that several countries heavily rely on foreign water resources and that many countries have significant impacts on water consumption and pollution elsewhere.
Powered by Blogger.

Platform anthropocene Inc. or planthro is a New York
registered, globally active, not-for-profit public charity organization.
planthro targets scientists, students, citizens, governing
bodies, entrepreneurs and stakeholders concerned with the
concept of anthropocene and its multiple implications.
The organization aims at:
● conveying and sharing a lucid view of the complexity
characterizing human interaction with Earth,
● empowering individuals and organisations to work
collaboratively in economic, social, environmental, and
governance contexts,
● supporting and promoting informed and creative solutions
on sustainability, mitigation and adaptive strategies.
Find out more...
What do you think?
Have a comment, need more information, found an error, copyright claims, found a broken link, want to get involved, want to suggest a reference...
Write a comment on this page on this reference or get in touch with the project through the contact form on the corporate page www.planthro.org
I read that Post and got it fine and informative,Please share more like that. Sindh irrigated Agriculture
ReplyDelete