Globalization of Water (eBook)

Arjen Y. Hoekstra has academic and professional experience in the field of integrated water resources management in various countries and is currently Professor of Multidisciplinary Water Management at the University of Twente, the Netherlands. Ashok K. Chapagain has been an irrigation engineer in Nepal, received his PhD degree at the UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education in Delft, the Netherlands, was employed as researcher at the University of Twente, and currently works for the World Wide Fund for Nature in the UK.

List of Maps.

Preface.

1. Introduction.

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

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

4. Water Saving through International Trade in Agricultural
Products.

5. The Water Footprints of Nations.

6. The Water Footprints of Morocco and the Netherlands.

7. Virtual- versus Real-Water Transfers within China.

8. The Water Footprint of Coffee and Tea Consumption.

9. The Water Footprint of Cotton Consumption.

10. Water as a Geopolitical Resource.

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

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

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

Appendix III. National Water Savings and Losses due to Trade in
Agricultural Products.

Appendix IV. Water Footprints of Nations.

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

Glossary.

References.

Index

"The main strengths of the book are its clear explanations of the
core concepts and the methods used to estimate the movements of
virtual water, along with the wealth of empirical evidence on
specific countries, regions and commodities. . . While the authors
do not explicitly answer all of the questions outlined at the
beginning of the book, this is still a well-written and timely
contribution that adds some much-needed evidence to the literature
on virtual water." (Area, 2011)

"This book is a technical research report, , and gives another
important strand of firm evidence to support the case for switching
to vegan lifestyles". (Vegan, 1 December 2010)

"Heightened concern about global climate change makes this
book timely and of interest to many readers." (Choice
Reviews, May 2009)

"[This book] is an authorative and stimulating book to read. Its
main contribution is the excellent use of case studies to
illustrate the well-articulated theoretical background of virtual
water and its global implications.... A though-provoking
book." (South African Geographical Journal, 2008)

"The authors propose to reverse the logic of production
volumes to consumption volumes. This approach entirely changes all
conclusions concerning water stress in the world, dependencies on
other countries, and responsibility for water scarcity. This
detailed study gives new insights into these mechanisms, leading to
a more realistic picture of a country's water needs. The book
contains extensive and detailed tables, with all the data required
for an in depth evaluation. The book concludes with some important
remarks on fairness, sustainability, responsibility, and
price-setting." (Water Environment and Technology
Magazine, December 2008)