How much water is required to make a cup coffee? Hint: It’s much You can have more than one cup.
OneAccording to calculations by The, a cup of coffee needs 132 liters (35 gal) of water. Water Footprint Network, a platform that promotes the sustainable use and conservation of freshwater.
This is how you get the entire production chain into account, including the water that goes into growing the coffee tree, processing the beans, packaging them and transporting them to the supermarket.
It’s what’s known as “hidden” or “virtual” water we don’t see it being used, but it plays a major role in the production of just about everything we consume, including energy, food, clothing, smartphones, cars and coffee.
“Everything requires water to be produced.” Ertug Ercin is a senior researcher at Water Footprint Network. Ertug Ercin told DW.
“There’s a significant amount of water used particularly for food and beverage products. This is actually your water footprint. It is the total amount you consume to meet your consumption patterns.
Ultimately, the water that comes out of our taps at home our “direct” consumption only accounts for a tiny share of our overall footprint once our indirect or “virtual” water use is added.
Why is this important?
Fresh water is a finite resource. One of the estimated 1.386 million cubic kilometers (333 million cubic miles)Only 3% of the water available on earth is fresh water.. Only around 1% is available to us because the rest is stored away in glaciers or ice caps.
This The growing demand for water from a growing global populace and climate change is putting pressure on it. There are fears of water scarcity in certain parts of the globe due to rising water demand in industry, agriculture, and households.
2 billion people do not have safe access Drinking water, according to the UNWhile 2.3 billion people live in water-stressed areas,.
“We are in a crisis,” said Ercin. This is alarming. However, availability patterns are changing. We won’t find water where we most need it, when it’s most needed.”
It is important to prevent severe drought in water-stressed regions. Water efficiency and care are the only ways water can be used efficiently. This brings us back to water footprints.
How do countries compare?
Depending on where they are located, the water footprints for different countries will vary. Industries and agricultural activitiesThe consumption patterns of the population.
The average water footprint per person in the US is 7,800 liters, twice as high as the global average.Consumption direct Only inside the homes makes up About 3.5%, or 270 liters for each person per day.
GermansUse Approximately 125 liters per person/day, but this can rise to 3,900 Liters when “virtual” water is Taken into account. In India, meanwhile, An individual’s daily routine Water footprint is around 3,000 litersIt’s 2,934 Liters in China, but it’s a mere 1,334 Liters in the US..
According to ErcinGlobal water use could increase. The sky is the limit IfIndia and China begin to consume at the same level as Americans and Europeans.
“In the US, there is a large meat sector, there are large consumption sectors there’s huge purchase power,” he said, adding that India’s less meat-oriented diet One reason is ItLower number.
How do different products stack up?
AgriculturOver 70% of global water consumption comes from e. Water is essential for products that are made from crops or animals that eat crops, like our food and clothing.
Nuts and meat products are also available. Those who use large amounts of water. According to the Water Footprint Network (WFN), it takes More than 15,400 liters water to produce a kilogram of beef, for example. A kilo de nuts requires 9,063 liters. Vegetables require 322 liters per kg.
Then there is clothing made from water intensive cotton crops. A 2015 report by Trucost Data Analysts put the water consumption of a cotton T-shirt at 3,900 liters. A Pair of jeans is requiredAccording to a, it is approximately 8,000 liters Water Footprint Network report. This includes the materials needed to irrigate and harvest cotton, transform it into fabric, and make the final garment.
A majority of global water withdrawals are made for industrial purposes..
The water used in the manufacture of a smartphoneFor example, 12,760 liters is equivalent to 160 baths. A large portion of this water is used in the production of components and to dilute pollutants in the wastewater released during the manufacturing process.
Numbers can vary widely from one country to the next depending on local irrigation, production and/or manufacturing systems, as also on the climate.
How can we reduce our water footprint?
However, water used by individuals at home pales in comparison to the amount used in industry and agriculture, there are things we can do to limit our footprints.
ErcinIt is important to reduce the amount of stuff you consume, as water is used to make everything. This means less energy at the home, using second-hand products whenever possible, recycling, and avoiding food scraps. “Every piece of food you waste, means indirectly that you’re just wasting the water,” he said.
BSusanne Schmeier, associate professor of water diplomacy and law at the University of Minnesota, said that being aware of the water footprint of food you purchase can make a big difference. IHE DelftInstitute for Water Education.
The “hidden” 132 liters behind each cup of coffee, she says, “is definitely something to look at and something where we can probably make an even bigger impact than turning the tap off while we brush our teeth in Europe.”
Drinking less Switching to tea or coffee at 27 liters per mug is an option. Another option is to eat vegetables more than water-intensive animal products.
Do products need to be labeled with water footprint?
There have been several calls To increase public awareness about water usage, companies can use water footprint labels. These labels are similar to those on food items. However, there has been no agreement.
“It makes perfect sense to do that,” says “I think it definitely makes sense.”t,” Schmeier said. “Labeling is definitely an important step in making consumers aware in Europe and the US and allowing them to make their own choices.”
Waters However, the connection between global trade and the products that we buy is complex. Schmeier points out, however, that there are many other factors to consider when it is about water-intensive goods imported form other countries.
“We in Europe, and also in the US, consume a lot of food as well as other products for which the resources that are being used are grown in other regions, including in regions that suffer from water scarcity,” she told DW.
“From a water perspective, it might be wise to stop consuming South African grapes. This is a vital economic sector for the country.It’s crucial for, for instance, the advancement of education or health care. So we need to see both sides.
Edited by Tamsin Walker
