Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
Environmental Health and Protection Commons™
Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute: Faculty Publications
Globalization ∣ sustainable consumption ∣ virtual water trade ∣ water pollution
Articles 1 - 1 of 1
Full-Text Articles in Environmental Health and Protection
The Water Footprint Of Humanity, Arjen Y. Hoekstra, Mesfin Mekonnen
The Water Footprint Of Humanity, Arjen Y. Hoekstra, Mesfin Mekonnen
Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute: Faculty Publications
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. …