Globalization of Water : Sharing the Planet's Freshwater Resources

by Arjen Y. Hoekstra (University of Twente); Ashok K. Chapagain (University of Twente)

• ISBN13: 9780470695470
• ISBN10: 0470695471
• Format: eBook
• Copyright: 2008-04-01
• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Summary

Globalization of Water is a first-of-its-kind review of the critical relationship between globalization and sustainable water management. It explores the impact of international trade on local water depletion and pollution and identifies "water dependent" nations. Examines the critical link between water management and international trade, considering how local water depletion and pollution are often closely tied to the structure of the global economy Offers a consumer-based indicator of each nation's water use: the water footprint Questions whether trade can enhance global water use efficiency, or whether it simply shifts the environmental burden to a distant location Highlights the hidden link between national consumption and the use of water resources across the globe, identifying the threats facing 'water dependent' countries worldwide Provides a state-of-the-art review and in-depth data source for a new field of knowledge

Table of Contents

List of Maps

Preface

Introduction

How much Water is used for Producing our Goods and Services?

Virtual-Water Flows between Nations as a Result of Trade in Agricultural and Industrial Products

Water Saving through International Trade in Agricultural Products

The Water Footprints of Nations

The Water Footprints of Morocco and the Netherlands

Virtual- versus Real-Water Transfers within China

The Water Footprint of Coffee and Tea Consumption

The Water Footprint of Cotton Consumption

Water as a Geopolitical Resource

Efficient, Sustainable, and Equitable Water Use in a Globalized world

Analytical Framework for the Assessment of Virtual-Water content, Virtual-Water Flows, Water Savings, Water Footprints, and Water Dependencies

Virtual-Water Flows per Country Related to International Trade in Crop, Livestock, and Industrial Products

National Water Savings and Losses due to Trade in Agricultural Products

Water Footprints of Nations

Water Footprint versus Water Scarcity, Self-Sufficiency, and Water Import Dependency per Country

Glossary

References

Index

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