Globalization of Water

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.

"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)

• 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