footprints

Harmful Algal Blooms in Water

August 31, 2022

Harmful Algal Blooms in water bring significant impacts to coastal communities. They can close beaches, make people and their dogs sick and close fisheries, which can cripple local economies. Harmful Algal Blooms [HABs] in Water Have Wide Ranging Impacts Harmful algal blooms (HABs) occur when water is overloaded with nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus that […]

Our Water-Energy-Food Nexus Reports

April 21, 2022

Our Water-Energy-Food Nexus reports illustrate the connections between water, energy and food systems. Know the Nexus (the Report) explores policies that affect the connections and can throw the systems out of balance. Meet the Nexus (the Guide) shows consumers how our every day actions and purchases influence the three systems. Nexus Reports Food, Water and […]

Water Footprint of Food Guide Methodology

March 2, 2022

The Water Footprint of Food Guide helps people understand the large amount of water required to grow and produce food. This methodology provides the data, calculations and sources used to create the values in the Guide. How The Water Footprint of Food Guide Was Created The Water Footprint of Food Guide is an interactive web […]

Virtual Water Trade Moves Water Around the World

August 21, 2021

Virtual water trade makes the relationship between food and water very complicated. Virtual Water in Food Products Virtual water is the water “hidden” in the products, services and processes people buy and use every day. While it is unseen by the end-user of the product or service, that water has been consumed throughout the creation […]

The Water-Energy-Food Nexus: Relevant Reports, Articles and Research

April 28, 2020

This list of reports, articles and research that illustrates and documents the Water-Energy-Food (WEF) Nexus. While many of them call out the WEF Nexus specifically, some of them might not have as obvious a connection, so we’ve made those connections for you. The Food-Water-Energy Nexus The Energy-Water Nexus The Food-Energy Nexus The Food-Water Nexus

Drought or Deluge: Different Threats, Same Problems

April 28, 2020

Climate change and weather patterns are changing. This is because a warming atmosphere holds more water vapor, which impacts weather patterns and changes when, where and how precipitation falls. It also intensifies rain events and wreaks havoc on communities around the country. Climate Change and Weather Patterns: Our Warming the Atmosphere With increasing frequency the […]

Why All Farms Don’t Use Drip Irrigation

April 28, 2020

For various reasons, many farmers cannot rely entirely on rainfall and must turn to irrigation to water their crops. While drip irrigation might seem like the logical choice because of its efficiency, the reasons why farmers use one system over another are varied and sometimes complex. The type of system can impact crop yields as […]

The 900 Gallon Diet: Meat, Portion Size and Water Footprints

April 28, 2020

The water footprint of meat is a higher number than many people might realize. While many Americans expect to eat a certain amount of meat, and they might think, “Well, I don’t eat that much,” they might be surprised by just how much meat (and dairy) they actually consume every day. This is an important […]

Water Use, Withdrawal and Consumption

April 27, 2020

“Water use” often fails to adequately describe what happens to water because “water use” can take two forms – consumption or withdrawal. It’s important to understand the difference. The US withdraws a lot of water on a daily basis for use in homes, businesses, industries and food production. While domestic use is significant, the majority […]