IB Environmental systems and societies 4.2F Water Footprints and Citizen Science Notes

A water footprint measures the hidden water behind what we consume

A water footprint measures the water consumed, polluted, or evaporated in producing goods and services.

It reveals where water use is unsustainable and guides water management and policy.

It can be applied to individuals, industries, products, or countries to understand consumption impacts.

Note

Introduced in 2002, it shifted attention from production-based to consumption-based water use, tracking hidden water flows in global trade.

Blue, green, and grey water make up the total footprint

Blue water footprint

Water drawn from surface and groundwater sources like rivers, lakes, and aquifers.
Used for irrigation, industry, and domestic supply.

Green water footprint

Rainwater absorbed by plants and stored in soil.
Vital for agriculture and natural vegetation.

Grey water footprint

Volume of water needed to dilute pollutants to acceptable quality standards.
Includes wastewater from households, agriculture, and industry.

Tip

Blue = extraction, green = rainfall absorption, grey = pollution load.

Internal and external footprints reveal virtual water trade

Internal water footprint: water used within a country to produce goods consumed domestically.

External water footprint: water used abroad to produce imported goods and services, known as virtual water.

Example

The UK's external footprint is large because it imports water-intensive goods like cotton, beef, and coffee.

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Note

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Tip

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Definition

Paywall

(on a website) an arrangement whereby access is restricted to users who have paid to subscribe to the site.

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Note

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam quis nostrud exercitation.

Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

Tip

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit.
Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris.
Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum.

IB Environmental systems and societies 4.2F Water Footprints and Citizen Science Notes

A water footprint measures the hidden water behind what we consume

Blue, green, and grey water make up the total footprint

Internal and external footprints reveal virtual water trade

anim nostrud sit dolore minim proident quis fugiat velit et eiusmod nulla quis nulla mollit dolor sunt culpa aliqua

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit

Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

Unlock the rest of this chapter with a free account

A water footprint measures the hidden water behind what we consume

Blue, green, and grey water make up the total footprint

Internal and external footprints reveal virtual water trade

anim nostrud sit dolore minim proident quis fugiat velit et eiusmod nulla quis nulla mollit dolor sunt culpa aliqua

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit

Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

Unlock the rest of this chapter with a free account

Topic 1: Foundation 3 subtopics

Topic 2: Ecology5 subtopics

Topic 3: Conservation and biodiversity3 subtopics

Topic 4: Water4 subtopics

Topic 5: Land2 subtopics

Topic 6: Atmosphere and climate change4 subtopics

Topic 7: Natural resources3 subtopics

Topic 8: Human populations and urban systems3 subtopics

HL lenses 3 subtopics

IB Environmental systems and societies 4.2F Water Footprints and Citizen Science Notes

Topic 1: Foundation 3 subtopics

Topic 2: Ecology5 subtopics

Topic 3: Conservation and biodiversity3 subtopics

Topic 4: Water4 subtopics

Topic 5: Land2 subtopics

Topic 6: Atmosphere and climate change4 subtopics

Topic 7: Natural resources3 subtopics

Topic 8: Human populations and urban systems3 subtopics

HL lenses 3 subtopics

A water footprint measures the hidden water behind what we consume

Blue, green, and grey water make up the total footprint

Internal and external footprints reveal virtual water trade

anim nostrud sit dolore minim proident quis fugiat velit et eiusmod nulla quis nulla mollit dolor sunt culpa aliqua

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit

Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

Unlock the rest of this chapter with a free account

A water footprint measures the hidden water behind what we consume

Blue, green, and grey water make up the total footprint

Internal and external footprints reveal virtual water trade

anim nostrud sit dolore minim proident quis fugiat velit et eiusmod nulla quis nulla mollit dolor sunt culpa aliqua

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit

Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

Unlock the rest of this chapter with a free account