How much water is needed to make a cup o coffee? Hint: It’s much More than one cup
OneAccording to calculations done by the Water Footprint NetworkA platform that promotes the sustainable use and conservation of fresh water.
This is the essence of 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 made.” Ertug Ercin was a senior researcher with the Water Footprint Network and told DW.
“There’s a significant amount of water used particularly for food and beverage products. This is 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 natural resource. The estimated 1.386 trillion cubic kilometers of water are (333 million cubic miles)Only 3% of the water 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. Water will not be found where it is most needed, at the best time for us.”
It is possible to prevent severe droughts in water-stressed zones. 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. Industrial 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 directly Only inside the homes makes up About 3.5%, or 270 liters for each person per day.
GermansUse About 125 liters per person/day, but this can rise to 3,900 liters when “virtual” water is Taken into consideration. In India, meanwhile, A person’s daily activities Water footprint is around 3,000 litersIt is 2,934 liters in China..
According to ErcinGlobal water consumption could be as high as 80%. The sky is the limit IfIndia and China start to consume on the same level that people in the US and Europe.
“In the US there’s an enormous meat sector. There’s also a large consumption sector. There’s also a lot of purchasing power.,” he said, adding that India’s less meat-oriented diet One reason is ItA lower 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, meat products, and other animal products are available. Those who use large amounts of water. According to the Water Footprint Network it takes approximately More than 15,400 Liters of water to produce a kilogram of beef, for example. A kilo nut weighing 963 liters will require 3,222 liters of vegetable oil per kilogram.
There’s also 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 necessary resources to irrigate the cotton, harvest it, turn it into fabric, then make the final garment.
Nearly 20% of global water withdrawals go to industrial purposes..
The water used to make a smartphoneFor example, 12,760 liters is equivalent to 160 baths. Most of this water is used to produce and assemble components. It is also used to reduce pollutants in the waste water that is released during manufacturing.
Numbers can vary depending on the country’s irrigation, production, and manufacturing systems as well as 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.
ErcinThe goal should be to consume less stuff overall, since water is used for everything. This means consuming less energy at home, purchasing second-hand products wherever possible, recycling and avoiding food waste. “Every piece of food you waste, means indirectly that you’re just wasting the water,” he said.
BSusanne Schmeier, an associate professor in water law and diplomacy at the University of Washington, states that simply being aware of how much water your food uses can make a significant 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. There has yet to be an 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 imports from 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.This is crucial, for example, in order to improve education or health services. We must look at both sides of this coin.
Edited by Tamsin Walker
