But when you start to consider ways to shrink your water footprint, its important to remember the difference between water withdrawal and water consumption. From the foods we eat to the clothes we wear to the books we read and the music we listen to, all of it costs more than what we. Twothirds of our drinking water comes from rivers and streams. Find out how many planets would be needed if everyone in the world lived like you. The calculations are based on the water requirements per unit of product as in your country of residence. The shocking facts about how much water we use to make everyday products by stephen leahy at indigo. You can typically find your metered water usage on your monthly water bills or on an annual summary from your water utility. In your water footprint firefly books, stephen leahy introduces readers to the virtual water concept and to readers awareness of how much water is used in our everyday activities. Because this option uses actual water usage figures, it allows us to calculate the exact footprint gallonforgallon. Water footprint this is the total amount of water that you use in your daily life. You can also use this interactive map from the epa to find out about the source of your water, and read epas water on tap pdf to learn about drinking water safety and more if you live in seattle, your water comes from the cedar and tolt rivers, where surrounding forests help protect water quality. Focusing not on fresh water use in general but on its footprint meaning water that agricultural and manufacturing processes leave polluted or otherwise locally unusablethe author sprays his urgently toned narrative with alarming observations and eye. The results of the assessment will help your company to reduce the emissions and costs associated with your product or service. You can also choose to limit your search to first editions, signed editions, or hardcover.
Learn your foot arch type with the wet test heel that pain. Ecocentric 11032014 your water footprint is a great example of a book that is shining the light on the impact we are having on the worlds limited fresh water supply. The total volume of fresh water used by an individual, a household, a business, a community or a country. Environmental journalist leahy delivers a brilliant and shocking expos%c3%a9 on precisely how much water we use, not just for personal. Ecological footprint quiz by center for sustainable economy. A comprehensive introduction to water footprints pseau. The water footprint of an individual, community or business is defined as the total volume of fresh water used to produce the goods and services consumed by the individual or community or produced by the business. Your water footprint is the total amount of water that you use directly e. We see that a pair of jeans, from cotton field to factory to you. It allows readers to get an idea of their water footprint, which goes beyond the direct water usage that were all. Journalist stephen leahys new book about water footprints is a great introduction to the mysterious world of water.
The average american lifestyle is kept afloat by about 2,000 gallons of h2o a day. But the information on water usage provided by water utilities on our monthly bills is only a small part of how much water we really use. We use our footprint to help us to reduce the water required to use our products and we also measure the water used in our manufacturing operations. Leahy is an environmental journalist from uxbridge, ontario. Your water footprint reveals the true cost of our lifestyle.
The 125 footprint facts in this book show the true cost of our lifestyle and what it. Water footprint simple english wikipedia, the free. Having trouble accessing our new footprint calculator. It includes your tap water use and the virtual water used to produce. Water footprint assessment, policy and practical measures in a specific. The last 5 pages list the changes one can make to reduce ones water footprint.
In fact, every person consumes more than 1,300 gallons a day the vast majority in the food we eat. It takes more than 7,600 liters 2,000 gallons of water to make a single pair of jeans and another 2,460 liters 650 gallons to. Your individual water footprint is equal to the water required to produce the goods and services consumed by you. The water footprint of the world map environment the. A water footprint is the amount of freshwater used by individuals, groups or companies in order to make goods or provide services used by the community. You can find your countrys water footprint on the water footprint network, which provides statistics for most countries virtual water imports and exports and for the total water footprint of national consumption. If you want to get a better sense of your water usage there is an online tool, the water footprint calculator, developed by grace communications foundation. Through this organisation numerous companies are testing the methods of the water footprint and applying them to their operations.
A new book, your water footprint, by environmental reporter stephen. Leahy drops a tsunami of sobering facts and infographics on the heads of readers who take what comes out of their faucets for granted. Free shipping and pickup in store on eligible orders. Over time, these findings will improve the methods and build up water footprint impact assessments for more detailed analysis. Water use is measured in water volume consumed evaporated andor polluted per unit of time. Your personal water footprint is related to your consumption habits, lifestyle and country of residence. The calculator walks you through how much water you. Take your first step with our environmental footprint calculator.
Ecocentric 20141103 your water footprint is a great example of a book that is shining the light on the impact we are having on the worlds limited fresh water supply. To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up. The carbon footprint standard we offer a low cost alternative to a traditional assessment of life cycle emissions which follows the principles of pas 2050 and the ghg protocol. If you do not know your exact annual usage, use the option below to calculate water use by building type. Use our calculator to find your water footprint your tap water use and the virtual water used to produce your food, electricity, gas and home goods. A water footprint is a measure of how much water your business uses and which direct and indirect environmental impacts result from this. With our latest transparency, we give you some examples of how much water is used in some of your daily activities, so that you can begin calculate your footprint and try to reduce your gallons.
Calculate your water footprint use this interactive facebook application to calculate your own personal water footprint, compare it with friends and take steps to reduce it. Want to know more about water footprints and your direct and virtual water use. The 125 footprint facts in this book show the true cost of our lifestyle and what it is doing to earth, including draining it dry. The following are tips for reducing your direct and indirect water use. These goods and services may be needed around the entire world. Whether you are an individual interested in learning about the water footprint of your lifestyle, a business or government representative that wants to better manage water and mitigate their water related risks, we have the right information and tools for you. It allows readers to get an idea of their water footprint, which goes beyond the direct water usage that we re all.
Measuring our water footprint is just the first step. The simplest way to define ecological footprint would be to call it the impact of human activities measured in terms of the area of biologically productive land and water required to produce the goods consumed and to assimilate the wastes generated. The book lists the water footprint of every day used items and gives alternatives. Water used by the agricultural sector accounts for nearly 92% of annual global freshwater consumption, according to a study that quantifies and maps humanitys water footprint a measure of the. Thank you for your support of the ecological footprint quiz. By measuring water footprints, we can get a clear picture of how water is used in. The earlier the world understands and makes behavioral changes, the better for everyone.
To find original editions, please select show more options to refine your search by publication year. A water footprint is the amount of fresh water used to produce the goods and services we consume, including growing, harvesting, packaging, and shipping. You can find your countrys water footprint on the water footprint network. Our water footprint sustainable living unilever global. From the foods we eat to the clothes we wear to the books we read and the music. Buying less will protect the worlds water supply and your wallet. A new book, your water footprint, by environmental reporter stephen leahy, takes a close look at the virtual water that surrounds us in everyday life. Water footprint comparisons by country water footprint. It can help you understand and manage your water use and even protect your company from physical, regulatory and reputation risks. Find out all the hidden ways your daily habits add to your water footprint on a typical day. Follow herman and his loyal friend, larry the fish, in this new wwf video as they navigate the journey towards discovering their water footprint.
Your water footprint is the amount of water you consume in your daily life, including the water used to grow the food you eat, to produce the energy you use and for all of the products in your daily life your books, music, house, car, furniture and the clothes you wear. Learn how your choices and habits affect your water. Step into the water with one foot, then carefully remove your foot from the pan of water and step onto a flattened brown paper bag or piece of cardboard that will show your footprint dont just. Your water footprint is bigger than you realize citylab. Corporate water accounting an analysis of methods and tools for. Your water footprint by stephen leahy, 9781770852952, available at book. The water footprint of our everyday lives water deeply. The same goes for any other consumer product, as practically all manufactured products from electronics to books and cosmetics consume water in the production process. Understanding the total contributions to your water footprint is the first step to creating a culture of conservation and protecting water on a larger scale. Enter a location such as address, zip, city, county, waterbody, park name, etc. The planet is in crisis from climate change to the pollution in our oceans and devastation of our forests. Unfortunately, center for sustainable economy will no longer be hosting this site until we are able to secure the resources needed to update it with new data and refresh its look and feel. Calculate your water footprint mnn mother nature network. Our biggest water use over 99% occurs when consumers use our products.