The Water Footprint of Modern Consumer Society

Nonfiction, Science & Nature, Nature, Environment, Natural Resources, Business & Finance, Economics, Sustainable Development, Industries & Professions, Industries
Cover of the book The Water Footprint of Modern Consumer Society by Arjen Y. Hoekstra, Taylor and Francis
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Arjen Y. Hoekstra ISBN: 9781136457043
Publisher: Taylor and Francis Publication: June 19, 2013
Imprint: Routledge Language: English
Author: Arjen Y. Hoekstra
ISBN: 9781136457043
Publisher: Taylor and Francis
Publication: June 19, 2013
Imprint: Routledge
Language: English

Water is not only used in the domestic context, but also in agriculture and industry in the production of commercial goods, from food to paper. The water footprint is an indicator of freshwater use that looks at both direct and indirect use of water by a consumer or producer. The water footprint of an individual, community or business is defined as the total volume of freshwater that is used to produce the goods and services consumed by the individual or community or produced by the business. 

This book shows how the water footprint concept can be used to quantify and map the water use behind consumption and how it can guide reduction of water use to a sustainable level. With a number of case studies, it illustrates water use along supply chains and that water consumption at one place is often linked to water use at another. For example, it is calculated that it takes 15,000 litres of water to produce 1 kg of beef, or 8,000 litres of water to produce a pair of jeans. The book shows that imports of water-intensive products can highly benefit water-scarce countries, but also that this creates a dependency on foreign water resources. 

The book demonstrates how water-scarce regions sometimes, nevertheless, use lots of water for making export products. It raises the issue of sustainable consumption: how can consumers, businesses and governments get involved in reducing the water footprints of final consumer goods?

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Water is not only used in the domestic context, but also in agriculture and industry in the production of commercial goods, from food to paper. The water footprint is an indicator of freshwater use that looks at both direct and indirect use of water by a consumer or producer. The water footprint of an individual, community or business is defined as the total volume of freshwater that is used to produce the goods and services consumed by the individual or community or produced by the business. 

This book shows how the water footprint concept can be used to quantify and map the water use behind consumption and how it can guide reduction of water use to a sustainable level. With a number of case studies, it illustrates water use along supply chains and that water consumption at one place is often linked to water use at another. For example, it is calculated that it takes 15,000 litres of water to produce 1 kg of beef, or 8,000 litres of water to produce a pair of jeans. The book shows that imports of water-intensive products can highly benefit water-scarce countries, but also that this creates a dependency on foreign water resources. 

The book demonstrates how water-scarce regions sometimes, nevertheless, use lots of water for making export products. It raises the issue of sustainable consumption: how can consumers, businesses and governments get involved in reducing the water footprints of final consumer goods?

More books from Taylor and Francis

Cover of the book Citizenship Education around the World by Arjen Y. Hoekstra
Cover of the book Migration by Arjen Y. Hoekstra
Cover of the book The Routledge Companion to Global Female Entrepreneurship by Arjen Y. Hoekstra
Cover of the book Child Sexual Abuse by Arjen Y. Hoekstra
Cover of the book The Changing Labour Party by Arjen Y. Hoekstra
Cover of the book The Educator's Guide To Substance Abuse Prevention by Arjen Y. Hoekstra
Cover of the book Depression in Kerala by Arjen Y. Hoekstra
Cover of the book Cartels and Anti-Competitive Agreements by Arjen Y. Hoekstra
Cover of the book New Woman Fiction, 1881-1899, Part II vol 4 by Arjen Y. Hoekstra
Cover of the book Family Assessment by Arjen Y. Hoekstra
Cover of the book Lectures on Violence, Perversion and Delinquency by Arjen Y. Hoekstra
Cover of the book Origins of the Crisis in the U.S.S.R.: Essays on the Political Economy of a Disintegrating System by Arjen Y. Hoekstra
Cover of the book On Fairness by Arjen Y. Hoekstra
Cover of the book Mapping the New African Diaspora in China by Arjen Y. Hoekstra
Cover of the book Colonial Policing and the Transnational Legacy by Arjen Y. Hoekstra
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy