By: The Xeero.io Team
A water footprint is a measure of humanity’s appropriation of fresh water in volumes of water consumed and/or polluted. It can be divided into three components: blue, green, and gray water footprints. The blue water footprint is the volume of freshwater used to produce the goods and services consumed by the individual or community. The green water footprint is the volume of rainwater used to produce the goods and services consumed by the individual or community. The gray water footprint is the volume of freshwater required to dilute pollutants to such an extent that they meet regulatory standards for discharge into surface waters.
The World Water Footprint Assessment Report estimates that the average global water footprint per capita is about 1000 m^³ (2641 gallons) per year. This is the equivalent of each person using 2000 liters (528 gallons) of water per day. The United States has the largest water footprint per capita, at about 1600 m^³ (4212 gallons) per year. This is more than double the global average and about 400% more than someone living in Uruguay, which has the lowest water footprint per capita, at about 200 m^³ (528 gallons) per year.
The water footprint can be a useful tool for individuals and communities to assess their water use and identify ways to reduce their impact on freshwater resources. There are a number of online calculators that allow users to estimate their own water footprints. These calculators typically ask questions about daily activities such as showering, laundry, and dishes to estimate water use. They also ask about the types of food consumed and how it was produced. For example, meat production requires more water than plant-based diets.
The water footprint of staples may be surprising. For example, it takes about 2250 liters (595 gallons) of water to produce one kilogram (about two pounds) of rice. Coffee requires about 140 liters (37 gallons) of water per cup. A single hamburger requires about 660 liters (175 gallons) of water to produce. Avocados not only have a high carbon footprint, but they also require a lot of water to grow; it takes about 2000 liters (528 gallons) of water to produce one kilogram (2.2lbs) of avocados.
The water footprint can also be used to assess the impact of different production practices on freshwater resources. For example, conventional agriculture typically has a larger water footprint than organic agriculture due to the use of irrigation and other inputs.
Water footprints can be offset through a number of different practices such as water conservation, planting trees, and supporting projects that protect or restore freshwater ecosystems.
For more information on voluntary carbon offsets visit www.xeero.io
