Become an Environmental Superhero
As conscious consumers, we have the responsibility to reduce our water footprints.
By Aliza Sitrin, May 27, 2021
Georgia Pacific Brunswick Cellulose Paper Plant, Brunswick, Georgia - Alan Cressler, USGS
You likely use significantly more water than you think. Your total water use far exceeds the amount pouring out of your showers, sinks, toilets, washing machines, and dishwashers. Average consumers don’t realize that they are surrounded by hidden virtual water use.
“Virtual water” is the water utilized to produce goods, services, and processes that people use in their everyday lives. Nearly every product requires water during the manufacturing process. Virtual water is the unseen water that is used throughout the value chain of a product or service. Your house, food, air conditioning, smart phone, Wi-Fi, and so much more all require virtual water.
Water footprints define patterns of water use. Specifically, they reveal the amount of water used during production, as well as the amount of water contaminated during such processes. Water footprints include everything from the amount of water needed to grow plants and vegetables, to the amount of water needed to purify and dilute contaminants and wastewater. Calculating water footprints allows us to determine how much water we use and how that use affects the environment. Once we understand our water footprints, we can become educated, sustainable consumers and modify our habits and purchases to better save water.
Consider the following example to understand the extensive nature of virtual water and water footprints. First, we will walk you through an average scenario. Then, we will look at that scenario through the lens of water footprints.
Example: You wake up in the morning and throw on your favorite pair of jeans and a comfy shirt. For breakfast, you drink a cup of coffee and eat a slice of toast. Next, you get in your car, drive to work, and spend the day using the internet on your computer and phone. Meanwhile, electricity is powering all of your spaces and devices.
Water footprints in the example: Approximately 1,800 gallons of water are needed to produce the cotton in a pair of jeans and 400 gallons are necessary to produce the cotton for a shirt. 37 gallons of water are needed to make a single cup of coffee and 10.5 gallons are used to make your slice of toast. Cars require 13,737 – 21,926 gallons to manufacture, and up to 2.5 gallons of water are used to refine 1 gallon of gasoline. It requires 400 gallons of water to manufacture a computer and 3,190 gallons to make a smartphone. Millions of gallons of water each day are used to cool data centers and generate electricity. It’s amazing how much water it takes to run our daily lives!
Hidden water use completely encircles us, yet most consumers are unaware of the magnitude of their water footprints. Everything you eat and use in your daily life likely requires water. Freshwater is a vital resource to the survival of our species and planet, yet available freshwater comprises only 0.5% of the world’s water. The critical nexus of our water crisis is that the amount of freshwater we consume dramatically outpaces the amount of freshwater produced by nature’s hydrological process. This dilemma is amplified by our growing population and ever increasing demand for goods and services. Major cities like São Paulo, Brazil; Chennai, India; and Cape Town, South Africa have already experienced “Day Zero” in which they faced acute water shortages. Furthermore, 14 out of 20 of the world’s largest cities currently experience water scarcity and drought conditions. As many as 10 cities are at risk of running out of water, including Miami, Tokyo, Moscow, London, Istanbul, and Cairo. According to a 2016 study, up to 4 billion people currently live in regions that experience severe water stress for at least 1 month a year. We are on a collision course with global water scarcity and we must immediately reduce our water footprint to ensure our collective survival.
As a concerned environmental consumer, you can conserve water in your home, while also mitigating your water footprint when making purchasing decisions.
Here are some tips to reduce your water footprint:
Everything has a water footprint, but you can compare and choose products with lower water footprints when making consumption decisions. Meat has a higher water footprint than plant-based diets, so think about reducing your meat consumption. Learn more about food’s water footprint and build your meals mindfully.
Reduce the amount of new products you purchase and reuse as much as possible. Consider thrift shopping or buying a used car. You can find great products for low prices, and frequently they look and feel as good as new!
Be careful not to overbuy when shopping. Less is more! We typically surround ourselves with more “stuff” than we actually need.
Avoid fast fashion and shop from companies that commit to reducing water use throughout their value chain. Click here to view ethical, sustainable fashion brands. We are big fans of Trove!
Calculate your personal water footprint here and take action to use less water in your daily life. The average American uses 80-100 gallons of water a day for indoor home uses. Statistically, Americans use more water per day than any other country, so let’s aim to bring that number down. You can compare global water withdrawal per capita here.
We hope you use this newfound water footprint knowledge and tips to become a water superhero! Together, we will create a vibrant future with accessible, clean drinking water for all to enjoy.