Virtual Water: Its Implications on Agriculture and Trade

Water is the basis of life. And, unlike various forms of energy generation, water cannot simply be created where it is needed. Freshwater is remarkably scarce, comprising just 2.5% of the global water supply. Although this water at an annual level may be judged as sufficient for human use, spatio-temporal variations in the availability of freshwater over the globe is a challenge. Growing populations and rising levels of affluence mean increased competition for water, raising vital questions of equity, access, and social justice at the global scale. Water is thus a lens through which to examine an array of vital issues facing humanity and the planet: human and animal health; food production; environmental management; resource consumption; climate change adaptation and mitigation; economic development, trade and competitiveness; and ethics and consumer trust – to name but a few.