World Water Day - Which industries consume the most water, and why should we care?
毎年、3 月 22 日は世界水の日です。 国連が 2021 年に向けて設定したテーマは、私たち一人一人にとっての水とは何かということです。 今日は、水不足の概要を説明し、どの産業が最も水を消費しているかを調べたいと思います。ー私たちの地球の表面の71％は水で覆われています。しかし、私たちの基本的な生存に必要な淡水は、世界の水の3%に過ぎません。農業は、最も多くの淡水を消費する産業です。その他、ファッション、エネルギー、食肉、飲料、建設、鉱業、自動車など、大量の水を使用する産業があります。2030 Buildersは、水の使用量を減らし、利用した量をリサイクルし、低水分の代替ソリューションを使用することで、あなたの組織が水の消費量削減するサポートをします。更に、水不足に対する意識を高め、水使用量を削減を目指し、ウォーターフットプリントの減少を決意したいと考えています。※ウォーターフットプリントとは、人間活動により消費、汚染および基準値以下に希釈するのに使われた淡水の量を評価したもの。 (English) Each year, 22 March is when we celebrate World Water Day. The theme that the UN set for 2021 is what water means to each of us. Today, we wanted to give you an overview of water scarcity and look into which industries consume the most water. - 71% of our planet's surface is covered with water. However, the freshwater for our basic survival needs only represents 3% of the world's water. Agriculture is the industry that consumes the most freshwater. Other industries that use large volumes of water include fashion, energy, meat, beverage, construction, mining, and car. 2030 Builders is determined to help your organisation reduce water consumption by reducing water use, recycling the utilised volumes, and using alternative low-water solutions. In addition, we want to raise the employees' awareness of water scarcity and challenge them to reduce their organisation's water use while committing to decreasing their water footprint. *A water footprint is an assessment of the amount of freshwater used to consume, pollute and dilute below standards due to human activities.
World Water Day - Which industries consume the most water, and why should we care?
//Summary - Level-C1//
World Water Day is celebrated on March 22nd each year to remind us of water's value and freshwater scarcity. The UN's theme for 2021 was 'What water means to each of us.' Agriculture is the industry that consumes the most freshwater, accounting for 70% globally and 44% in Europe. Other industries that use large volumes of water include fashion, energy, meat, beverage, construction, mining, and car. These industries must find ways to reduce their water footprint to prevent exacerbating the global water crisis.
//Summary - Level-C2//
World Water Day is celebrated on March 22nd every year to remind us of the value of water. Freshwater, which accounts for only 3% of the world's water, is crucial for our basic survival needs. Unfortunately, two-thirds of the global population lives in areas where water scarcity is a concern, and by 2025, half of the world's population will be affected. Agriculture is the most water-consuming industry, followed by fashion, energy, meat, beverage, and construction/mining/car industries. Water scarcity is caused by climate change, population growth, and land-use change.
A)
Each year, March 22nd is when we celebrate World Water Day. The theme that the UN set for 2021 is what water means to each of us. It is a day to remind ourselves about water's value – even though we should not forget this during all the other 364 days of the year. At 2030 Builders, we care deeply about our water footprint and the industries we serve. That is why we wanted to give you an overview of water scarcity and look into which industries consume the most water.
B)
The issue of water scarcity
There's plenty of water on Earth – 71% of our planet's surface is covered with water. However, the freshwater for our basic survival needs only represents 3% of the world's water. Most freshwater is unavailable, as it exists in glaciers, polar ice caps, the atmosphere, and soil. This leaves 0.5% of Earth's water fresh and ready to use.
As a result, two-thirds of people on our Blue Planet live in areas where access to fresh water is an issue. Moreover, water scarcity impacts every continent, so 1.1 billion people cannot access water.
By 2025, half the world's population will live in water scarcity areas. This is mainly a result of climate change, growing population, and land-use change.
C)
Which industries consume the highest volumes of water?
All industries have a specific water footprint. First, however, let's get an overview of those requiring the most significant amounts of freshwater.
Agriculture
70% of the world's freshwater is used for agriculture. In Europe, this sector requires 44% of freshwater resources. This is due to agriculture's water use for irrigation, fertiliser and pesticide application, crop cooling, and frost control.
As a result of the fertilisers and insecticides used in agriculture, it is also a significant source of water pollution.
D)
When it comes to the thirstiest crops, wheat, corn, rice, cotton, and sugarcane take the lead. Nuts are also a concern, mainly since 74% of irrigated nuts are grown in regions facing water stress, like India, China, Pakistan, the Mediterranean, and the US.
E)
Fashion industry
As we previously covered in more detail, apart from being a significant source of water pollution, the fashion industry also uses considerable amounts of freshwater.
The 79 billion cubic metres of freshwater used yearly by the fashion industry secured its place as the second most water-consuming industry in the world. This is mainly because of cotton's high water demand for cotton, the primary material in our clothes.
It takes 7,000 litres of water to produce one pair of jeans, the same amount one individual drinks in 5-6 years. A T-shirt requires 2,700 litres of water, enough for a person to keep thirst away for almost three years.
F)
Energy industry
A study by E. S. Spang et al. (2014) estimated that the world's energy production consumes approximately 52 billion cubic meters of freshwater yearly.
This significant water volume comes mainly from power plants needing it for cooling. This technology is characteristic of fossil fuel and nuclear power plants. Moreover, bioenergy crops like sugarcane and rapeseed use large quantities of water for cultivating plants. Processing the ethanol or biodiesel, they generate also requires some high volumes of water.
This is another reason to speed up the transition towards renewable energy sources like wind and solar.
G)
Meat industry
Generally, animal products like meat, dairy, and eggs are linked to higher environmental impacts than fruits and vegetables. This includes significant greenhouse gas emissions, land-use change, and water use.
Meat production is a different industry, but we must remember it is intimately linked to agriculture. For example, some estimates say that meat production results from one-third of the freshwater used for agriculture.
Beef is the most water-intensive food on our plates, followed by lamb, pork, goat, poultry, eggs, and cheese. It should be noted that other sources include nuts as the second-highest water consumer in the food industry.
It takes 15,000 litres of water to produce 1 kilogram of beef and over 10,000 litres to bring 1 kilogram of sheep meat to our tables.
H)
Beverage industry
According to the Beverage Industry Environmental Roundtable, 19 companies reported a total water use of 746 billion litres in 2017.
This would be enough for over 1,081 million people to drink in one year. So to put things into perspective, the water used by 19 beverage companies would be enough to end the thirst of the ones who don't have access to water.
However, this report only considers a minimal part of the industry's water footprint: the water used in the production processes, not the entire amount needed for the beverages (from cultivating the ingredients to manufacturing the bottles they come in).
Looking at all the water that goes into beverages, from growing the necessary ingredients to packaging, the values are surprising. For example, it takes 350 litres of water to produce one litre of soda, while one litre of beer requires 155 litres of freshwater.
I)
Construction, mining, and car industries
Finally, some thought-provoking facts about how these three industries consume water. In Europe, the mining and quarrying industry is responsible for about 4% of the water consumption, while the construction industry for around 3.4%.
It takes around 148,000 litres of water to produce a car. However, having one tire only requires close to 2,000 litres.
According to Treehugger, a ton of cement requires over 5,100 litres of water, while a ton of steel needs almost 235,000 litres. In addition, a single board of lumber takes 20 litres to grow.
J)
Water is an invaluable resource
It is hard to read these water consumption figures and imagine people dying of thirst every day. However, world Water Day allows companies to challenge their consumption patterns and environmental targets. It is also a good time for organisations to remind their employees about their promises, engage them in taking action, and change mindsets and behaviours on the topic.
2030 Builders is determined to help your organisation reduce water consumption by reducing water use, recycling the utilised volumes, and using alternative low-water solutions. In addition, we want to raise the employees' awareness of water scarcity and challenge them to reduce their organisation's water use while committing to decreasing their water footprint.
New words:
Water footprint - the amount of water used by an individual, organisation, or community
The company is committed to reducing its water footprint by implementing more sustainable practices.
Water scarcity - a lack of sufficient available water resources to meet the demands of water usage within a region
Water scarcity is a pressing issue in many parts of the world, and we need to find ways to conserve and manage our water resources better.
Freshwater - water that contains low levels of dissolved salts and minerals
Freshwater is a precious resource, and we must use it wisely and sustainably.
Glaciers - a large mass of ice found near the Earth's poles or on mountaintops
The melting glaciers are causing sea levels to rise and threaten coastal communities.
Polar ice caps - a region of ice surrounding a pole, such as the North or South Pole
The polar ice caps are rapidly melting due to global warming, a significant concern for our planet's future.
Irrigation - the application of controlled amounts of water to crops or plants to help them grow
Irrigation is an essential tool for farming, but we need to ensure that it is used efficiently and sustainably.
Fertiliser - a substance added to soil to enhance the growth of plants
Pesticide - a chemical substance used to kill or control pests
The use of fertilisers and pesticides in agriculture can have harmful effects on the environment and human health.
Greenhouse gas emissions - gases that trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere, causing global warming and climate change
Bioenergy is a promising renewable energy source that can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate change.
Quarrying - the process of extracting rock, sand, or other minerals from the ground
a limestone quarry
Add info)
What do you think about the article below?
Do you think some countries might want to use the water shortage problem to cause conflict?
Supporting developing countries with water purification agents developed from Bacillus natto
Regarding the article you mentioned, I cannot verify the validity of the information or the quality of the water purification agents mentioned in it, as I am unfamiliar with this specific product. However, water scarcity can lead to conflicts and tensions between countries, particularly in regions where water resources are shared.
In the past, water disputes have resulted in political tensions and even armed conflicts. For example, in the Middle East, the allocation of water resources from the Jordan River and other sources has been a source of tension and conflict between Israel, Palestine, Jordan, and Syria. Similarly, Ethiopia's construction of a massive hydroelectric dam in the Nile Basin has caused tensions with downstream countries such as Egypt and Sudan, which rely heavily on the Nile River for water.
It is also true that some countries may seek to use the issue of water scarcity to further their political or strategic interests. This may involve exploiting shared water resources or blocking access to water sources to gain leverage over other countries. However, it is essential to note that such actions are not the only or the most common cause of water-related conflicts. Many factors, such as climate change and water mismanagement, also contribute to water scarcity and country tensions.
While innovative water purification agents may help address water scarcity in developing countries, it is essential to consider the broader political, economic, and social factors contributing to water-related conflicts and work towards sustainable and equitable water management practices.
Add info No2)
In other words, solving the water shortage problem more politically, economically, and socially than using cutting-edge water purification agents is necessary. Can you name five solutions?
Here are five possible answers:
1. Implementing water conservation measures and improving efficiency in water use, such as promoting low-water agriculture practices and adopting water-efficient technologies in industry and households.
2. Investing in infrastructure and water management systems, such as building dams, pipelines, and wastewater treatment plants.
3. Developing and enforcing policies and regulations to protect water resources, prevent pollution, and ensure equitable access to water for all.
4. Promoting international cooperation and diplomacy to manage shared water resources and prevent conflicts through initiatives such as river basin commissions and water treaties.
5. Addressing the root causes of water scarcity, such as population growth, economic development, and climate change, by promoting sustainable development practices, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and protecting ecosystems that provide water resources.
World Water Day - Which industries consume the most water, and why should we care?
Learn about water and sanitation issues around the world! Introducing the cause and what we can do
https://gooddo.jp/magazine/water-and-sanitation/
Make a conscious effort to reduce virtual water.
Making a conscious effort to reduce virtual water will help solve water problems in developing countries.
Virtual water is a concept that expresses "how much water it takes to produce the food if the food is imported". We need water to grow food, such as livestock and crops. Therefore, if less food is imported, less water is required for production, and people in the country use more water.
There are several ways to reduce virtual water:
-Try to reduce food loss by not leaving food behind.
-Buying locally grown food instead of imported food
-Awareness of the need to buy domestic products as a priority
Virtual water consumption in Japan is estimated at 80 billion cubic metres, most of which is imported food. Therefore, prioritising purchasing domestic products and local food will help solve water problems in developing countries.
No. 797 "Zen Eating" 2023/3/14
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2kRhurrg2k
1. The food before us is the blessings brought by the universe, the Earth, the sky, countless creatures, and many efforts and loving works.
2. May we eat and live with gratitude worthy of receiving this food.
3. I hope you can notice and change the workings of your heart, such as greed. But, then, I hope you can leave such an unhealthy mind and concentrate on eating.
4. Food is a necessary medicine to maintain your mind and body. I hope we can practice a way of eating that heals and protects the Earth, regardless of taste or quantity, and use our compassionate hearts.
5. I will eat this food so that I can follow my path and be of service to sentient beings.
After chanting, close your eyes, take a deep breath and eat with gratitude.
The life of rice and the life of vegetables are possible because of this Earth.
It is thanks to the clouds that float in the sky and make it rain.
The rain moistens the soil, which nourishes the plants.
The Earth and the clouds can only work this way after 4.6 billion years since the world was created.
It would be best to think that the crystallisation of 4.6 billion years of life is before you.
And since you also receive 4.6 billion years of life, you are the fruit of 4.6 billion years.
GPT-4 Developer Livestream
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=outcGtbnMuQ&t=0s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YKAo1LPROU
1: Generated from handwritten pictures
2: Image recognition
3: Complex tax calculation
4: Amazing writing ability (summarise only using "G" or "Q" words)
5: Competent programming assistant