UConn hosts water footprint seminar, featuring Dr. Mesfin Mekonnen

Dr. Mesfin Mekonnen, a world renowned expert in Water footprint assessment from the Water for Food Global Institute, delivered an illuminating guest seminar at the University of Connecticut on March 24, 2017. In his talk he underlined the dependence of national water consumption on local and international water resources.

When water is sourced elsewhere for the production of commodities that are imported and consumed, consumers have a “water footprint” outside their national borders. His presentation highlighted the fact that many countries have significantly externalized their water footprint, without examining whether the water consumption is sustainable in the producing countries. For example, 10% of the water footprint of Chinese consumers is outside China. In the US it’s 20%; in Mexico 43%; and in European countries like Italy, Germany, the UK, and the Netherlands it’s 60-95%. By overlaying the global water footprint maps of selected countries with maps showing unsustainable water use, he quantified the unsustainable water footprint of various countries and the commodities that are primarily responsible. See the clip below for more information on his presentation.

Categories: News

Published: March 26, 2017