The water footprint of humanity.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Arjen Y Hoekstra, Mesfin M Mekonnen

Abstract

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 Gm(3)/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 Gm(3)/y (68% green, 13% blue, 19% gray). The WF of the global average consumer was 1,385 m(3)/y. The average consumer in the United States has a WF of 2,842 m(3)/y, whereas the average citizens in China and India have WFs of 1,071 and 1,089 m(3)/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 ...Continue Reading

References


❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Dec 12, 2012·The Proceedings of the Nutrition Society·Tim Lang, David Barling
Jun 20, 2013·Environmental Science & Technology·Ling Shao, G Q Chen
May 4, 2012·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Bradley G Ridoutt, Jing Huang
Jul 7, 2012·PloS One·Shade T Shutters, Rachata Muneepeerakul
Apr 15, 2014·PloS One·Julia Anna WinterPierluigi Claps
Oct 8, 2013·Environment International·D VanhamG Bidoglio
Jun 7, 2014·Science·Arjen Y Hoekstra, Thomas O Wiedmann
Jan 27, 2016·Environmental Science & Technology·Shaked SteinRoni Kasher
Jan 8, 2016·Journal of the Royal Society, Interface·Henri de RuiterPete Smith
Jan 14, 2016·The Science of the Total Environment·Yuhang WeiGovindasamy Agoramoorthy
Jan 26, 2016·Scientific Reports·Stefania TameaLuca Ridolfi
Dec 3, 2015·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Robert Alan HollandFelix Eigenbrod
Jan 20, 2016·Science·Fernando Jaramillo, Georgia Destouni
Nov 28, 2012·Journal of Environmental Management·Michalis HadjikakouGraham Miller
Oct 7, 2015·Environmental Science & Technology·Mesfin M Mekonnen, Arjen Y Hoekstra
Oct 12, 2013·Global Change Biology·Cameron M PittelkowBruce A Linquist
Jun 18, 2015·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Peter M KareivaMary Ruckelshaus
Aug 1, 2015·Science·C J VörösmartyJ Gupta
Sep 29, 2015·Ecological Modelling·Stefania TronDaniel Leitner
Apr 16, 2015·Journal of Experimental Botany·John C CushmanAnne M Borland
May 27, 2015·The Science of the Total Environment·Guobao SongShushen Zhang
May 8, 2015·Environmental Management·Robin AbellAlexis J Morgan
Mar 19, 2015·Annual Review of Public Health·Kerry L ShannonRobert S Lawrence
Feb 28, 2015·Science·Jianguo LiuShuxin Li
Jan 7, 2015·Environmental Science & Technology·Bhavik R BakshiMichael D Lepech
May 14, 2016·The Science of the Total Environment·D VanhamB M Gawlik
Jul 23, 2016·The Science of the Total Environment·Laura Miguel AyalaNorma E Beltrao
Aug 16, 2016·The Science of the Total Environment·Leo PosthumaG Allen Burton
Jun 13, 2014·Environmental Science & Technology·Kuishuang FengLaixiang Sun
Oct 19, 2016·Ecological Applications : a Publication of the Ecological Society of America·John H KimRobert B Jackson
Dec 4, 2015·Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management·Kate A Brauman, Nicolas Viart
Nov 2, 2016·Environmental Science & Technology·Ranran WangJulie B Zimmerman
Mar 4, 2017·The Science of the Total Environment·M AntonelliH Yang
Oct 1, 2015·Brazilian Journal of Biology = Revista Brasleira De Biologia·R MugnaiT Di Lorenzo
May 27, 2017·Environmental Science & Technology·Zoran J N SteinmannMark A J Huijbregts

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.

Related Papers

Water Science and Technology : a Journal of the International Association on Water Pollution Research
D Vanham
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Carole DalinIgnacio Rodriguez-Iturbe
Nature
Johan RockströmJonathan A Foley
Nature
Jonathan A FoleyDavid P M Zaks
© 2022 Meta ULC. All rights reserved