Virtual Water
What is virtual water?
We need water for cleansing and cooking in our daily life. However, the amount of water we consume is far more than that we see because a large quantity of water is hidden. The amount of water that is embedded in food or other products needed for their production is known as Virtual Water1. For example, to produce one kilogram of wheat, we need about 1,000 litres of water, i.e. the amount of this kilogram of wheat is 1,000 litres.
Below is a brief illustration on the amount of water needed for the production of 1 kilogram of beef 2:
How much water have you consumed in your lunch?
The food we eat is associated with huge amount of virtual water from the Pearl River Delta region, covering the Guangdong Province and up to other provinces in the Mainland. Water availability in the Mainland and other countries does affect us.
Even though we enjoy a stable water supply from Dongjiang, we should help ensure sustainable use of water resources so as to be a responsible citizen in the global village. We can contribute to reduce water consumption by making smart choices in purchase and consumption, such as reducing wastage, choosing food/products that require less water for production,etc.
Game: How much virtual water does it take to produce the food/beverages below?
| Food | Unit | Virtual Water Consumption (Litres) |
|---|---|---|
| Banana | 1 Piece | 70 |
| Bread | 1 Slice | 40 |
| Chicken | 150 g | 615 |
| Chocolate | 100 g | 2400 |
| Coffee | 1 Cup | 140 |
| Egg | 1 Piece | 135 |
| Lettuce | 1 kg | 130 |
| Milk | 1 Cup | 200 |
| Potato Chip | 1 Bag | 185 |