APES: Waterfootprint Project

Dr. M DuPree, Spring 2018

Explore waterfootprint.org
1. Who is, what is, the Water Footprint Network?

The Water Footprint Network is a global network for innovation and inspiration to change the way we use and share
our fresh in order for a thriving and sustainable communities and biodiversity. The network creates a platform for
collaboration of people to create fair and smart solutions for the world’s water crises.

2. What do the group do?

The network engages companies, investors, research institutes, and government agencies to incorporate water footprint
assessments, deliver training and capacity building for the global footprint standard, maintain the goal of the standard,
provide support for other organization, and further develop and spread knowledge about the assessment.

3. Check out one of their latest reports, “Towards a Sustainable Water Use in the Cotton Supply Chain.” Write a one
paragraph synopsis of the report’s main message.

The C&A want to transform their supply chain of cotton to be produced in a sustainable matter in regards to water used.
The water footprint of cotton is composed of three types including blue, green, and grey water. Specifically in India, the
Water Footprint is concerned on the practices of uses of water for cotton. As assessments were made, it has been easier
to clarify plans for moving towards sustainability. Farming and producing cotton within nature is a key component to
improve water management. Together the C&A and the Water Footprint Network will tackle water pollution, organic
farming, and river basin conditions where cotton is produced.

4. List three work partners of the group and explain the reason for their association.

- government: create policies for water management to limit the risks of pollution and scarcity
- academia: share and develop knowledge about the standards, tools, data methods, and training on Water
Footprint assessment
- businesses: what the water footprint means for their company and identify the ways they can contribute,
individually and collectively, to effective activities that improve water use

5. List three current WFN projects and briefly describe their purposes.

- IMPREX: assessing the impacts of hydrological extremes and climate change on the European economy and
studying the risks of global supply and good production under these issues.
- UK Environment Agency: commissioned the WFN to conduct Water Footprint Assessments of surface and
groundwater in sub-catchments of North London and Hertfordshire which has highlighted many problems of
water management.
- C&A/ C&A Foundation: conduct projects to help with business strategy of water operations and/or supply to
reduce their footprint and improve conditions in the environment and communities

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6. Watch the UNESCO WWAP film “Where is Water? – The water Rooms #2.” (Video is found on the website under the
‘What is a water footprint’ tab. Scroll down a few inches and you’ll find it.)

a) Discuss the concept of “water footprint.” b) What are the “three water footprints?”

The concept of a water footprint is how much water we consume in everything we use, eat, and produce. In developed
countries, water footprints can be very unsustainable compared to underprivileged majority that do not get much of
the resource. The three water footprints are blue, green, and grey. The blue footprint is contained of all bodies of water,
green is the upper soil used for agriculture, and grey is the amount of freshwater needed to assimilate pollutants.

7. What is a “product water footprint?”

A product water footprint is how much pressure the product has on freshwater resources .

8. Go to http://waterfootprint.org/en/resources/interactive-tools/

Scroll down to the PRODUCT GALLERY. Read up a bit so you know what you’re doing. Select BEEF.

a) Discuss the water demand of beef as a product.

. For beef, 94% of it is green water, 4% of blue, and 3% of the grey water. The global average water footprints is 1,5415
litre/kg and contributes 1% to the total water footprint. Beef can differ for the water demands depending on how it is
derived but usually beef from industrial systems have a footprint and demand that is larger than mixed or grazing
systems.

b) Choose one other product, hopefully something that is meaningful to you personally. Explore the water demand for
the production of that product. Discuss.

Coffee’s global average water footprint is 132 litres per cup of coffee of 125 ml. It is 96% green water, 1% blue water,
and 3% grey water. 18900 litres of water are used to produce 1kg of coffee. From 1996 to 2005, the virtual water flow
was 3.7% to trade in agricultural and industrial products in the world.

9. Go to the Personal Water Footprint Calculator. PLAY WITH IT. In any way that you see fit (be a mature student) show
your personal footprint and discuss it. Are you surprised by your personal impact? Is there something you believe you
could do differently in your life to reduce that impact?

My water footprint is 595 m^3 per year. I saw that when I put in that I was a meat consumer that the footprint rose
higher than in my actual diet as a vegetarian. I was very surprised because I did not know that the global footprint was
abou 2 ½ times more than my own. I am close to the food water footprint but has a much greater footprint of the
industry and domestic footprint. Within the categories of food, cereal and dairy were the highest in footprint but I
originally figured that the vegetables and fruit would be high because of what they are concentrated with and how they
are produced/grown. Perhaps, to reduce my footprint, I could cut down on the dairy I intake or chose fresher items that
use less water in the produce system . I could also take shorter shower because I take longer than I need most times.

10. Write a brief reflection about what you’ve learned by doing this project. At the end, create a box with the caption
“TAKE HOME MESSEAGE.” In that box, write a brief, simple statement that summarizes the importance of this issue to
the current generation. This is about advice.

PERSONAL REFLECTION:

I have realized that the majority of water is not jut used to drink and use as we please but to majorly produce food and
other resources we may need such as cotton. I am glad that my footprint is not as high or near the global average. To
think that some of us do use and consume almost to that amount, has blown my mind. It is very important that we use
our water in the most sustainable way possible. Also, the fact that the WFN is partnering with companies, the

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government, and civilians is a step in the right direction. We need to continue to strive toward a lesser percentage of
green and blue water footprint in food and drinks produced.

Water is not just used in what we drink and cook with but majorly in what we
produce. Though companies like the WFN are striving toward sustainability,
does not mean we, as people, do not need to as well. Individually and
collectively, we need to reduce our footprint and consume less than what we are
now consuming by paying attention to how we use and what we produce with
water. The world might not be danger but humans will soon be.
Take Home Message

11. Create another statement box with the caption ‘For My Children in the Future.’ In this box, pretend that you are
writing to future generations. In this box tell the future what it is you wanted us to do for them and whether we did it or
not. Whether you beg for their forgiveness or encourage them to honor us for our sacrifice is, well, …. Up to you.

Cherish this world! We tried everything to create a better Earth for you all. As we
succeeded in the last possible moment, you must not repeat our mistakes. The
resources are not just yours to take whenever you feel like it. The quicker you
learn that, the easier it will be. There are other species on this world and without
them our kind will surely go extinct. Develop your ideas and technology, but do
not take it for granted, instead use them to help protect human life and maintain
For My Children
your ecosystem!