YWF’s Water-Saving Tip of the Week: Reduce Food Waste

Cut your family’s water consumption by 475,000 litres (125,000 gal) a year

Forty percent of the food produced in the United States never gets eaten - NRDC

When food is wasted the enormous amounts of water needed to grow and process this food is also wasted. It takes:

• 80 litres (21 gal) to grow a single orange
• 125 litres (33 gal) for an apple
• 196 litres (52 gal) for an egg
• 1,387 litres (366 gal) for a stick of butter…

Here’s how to cut food waste …and your food bill  $1000 to 2000:

• Understand labels – “Best Before,” “Use By” and “Best By” dates have nothing to do with health or food safety.  Manufacturers simply decide how long their products will remain at peak quality.
• Go easy on impulse and bulk food purchases. It’s easier to curb waste by buying more often instead of purchasing massive cartloads that are hard to keep track of.
• Preserve food by freezing instead of leaving it in the fridge to spoil, or prepare smaller portions
• When eating out, share meals—the average portion has already been supersized.

Food waste is making climate change worse as well.

Your Water Footprint

Winner, Best Science Book in Canada; First Place NYC Green Book Festival

We don’t realize our societies run on water not oil. There is no electricity or gasoline without water. Nothing can be manufactured without water.  The critically-acclaimed book Your Water Footprint (YWF), uses info graphics to reveal the enormous quantities of water that are used to make the clothes we wear, the electronic devices we use and the food we eat.

On average our daily water footprint amounts to 8,000 litres (2100 gal). This is the net amount, water that can’t be reused.

Water-wise choices is all about smart substitutions and changes in habits

Your Water Footprint:  The Shocking Facts About How Much Water We Use To Make Everyday Product

 160 Pages, 125 Unique Infographics, only $19.95 Paperback   Order today

 (Now available on Kindle)

YWF’s Water-Saving Tips of the Week: Drive Less

To Save Water, Drive Less

It takes an average of 3 liters (0.8 gallon) of water to make one liter (about 1 quart) of gasoline. Unconventional oil such as that from Canada’s tar sands needs up to 55 liters (14.5 gallons) of water to produce that single liter of gasoline.

If your gas contains 10% ethanol, filling up your car’s 60-liter (16-gallon) gas tank requires the consumption of a whopping 10,860 liters (2,869 gallons). That’s enough water to fill an above-ground swimming pool 3.7 meters (12 feet) in diameter.

It takes 1,780 liters (470 gallons) of water to grow and process the corn to produce one litre of ethanol.

 

About Your Daily Water Footprint of 8000 l (2100 gal) 

We don’t realize our societies run on water not oil. There is no electricity or gasoline without water. Nothing can be manufactured without water.  The critically-acclaimed book Your Water Footprint (YWF), uses info graphics to reveal the enormous quantities of water that are used to make the clothes we wear, the electronic devices we use and the food we eat.

On average our water footprint amounts to 8,000 litres (2100 gal) of water each day. This is the net amount, water that can’t be reused.

Water-wise choices is all about smart substitutions and changes in habits.

---

Your Water Footprint:  The Shocking Facts About How Much Water We Use To Make Everyday Product

Winner, Best Science Book in Canada; First Place NYC Green Book Festival

 160 Pages, 125 Unique Infographics, only $19.95 Paperback   Order today

 (Now available on Kindle)

YWF’s Water-Saving Tips of the Week

Infographic from Your Water Footprint

Lawns, Gardens and Cars 

Outdoor water use for gardens, washing cars and watering lawns can account for at least half, and often far more, of our daily direct consumption of water. We could easily reduce our indoor and outdoor water use by 70%. 

• Use efficient watering systems for vegetable gardens, flowerbeds and lawns such as soaker hoses or a simple drip irrigation system
• Apply a layer of mulch around trees and plants to slow evaporation of moisture while discouraging weed growth
• For lawns let the grass grow taller to about 8–10 centimeters (3–4 inches) and add organic matter to improve water retention.
• During dry spells you can stop watering your lawn, let it turn brown and go dormant. It will green up with the next decent rain
• Sweep driveways and sidewalks clean instead of hosing them down
• Clean the car first, using a pail of soapy water. Use the hose only for rinsing—this simple practice can save as much as 570 liters (150 gallons)

About Your Daily Water Footprint of 8000 l (2100 gal) 

We don’t realize our societies run on water not oil. There is no electricity or gasoline without water. Nothing can be manufactured without water.  The critically-acclaimed book Your Water Footprint (YWF), uses info graphics to reveal the enormous quantities of water that are used to make the clothes we wear, the electronic devices we use and the food we eat.

On average our water footprint amounts to 8,000 litres (2100 gal) of water each day. This is the net amount, water that can’t be reused.

Water-wise choices is all about smart substitutions and changes in habits.

---

Your Water Footprint:  The Shocking Facts About How Much Water We Use To Make Everyday Product

Winner, Best Science Book in Canada; First Place NYC Green Book Festival

 160 Pages, 125 Unique Infographics, only $19.95 Paperback   Order today

 (Now available on Kindle)

YWF’s Water-Saving Tips of the Week

 

In the Kitchen

Between 30 and 40% of all food is wasted. That means the enormous amounts of water needed to grow and process this food is also wasted.

Here’s how to cut food waste …and your food bill by over $2000:

• Understand labels – “Best Before,” “Use By” and “Best By” dates have nothing to do with health or food safety.  Manufacturers simply decide how long their products will remain at peak quality.
• Go easy on impulse and bulk food purchases. It’s easier to curb waste by buying more often instead of purchasing massive cartloads that are hard to keep track of.
• Preserve food by freezing instead of leaving it in the fridge to spoil, or prepare smaller portions
• When eating out, share meals—the average portion has already been supersized.

Food waste is making climate change worse as well.

About Your Daily Water Footprint of 8000 l (2100 gal) 

We don’t realize our societies run on water not oil. There is no electricity or gasoline without water. Nothing can be manufactured without water.  The critically-acclaimed book Your Water Footprint (YWF), uses info graphics to reveal the enormous quantities of water that are used to make the clothes we wear, the electronic devices we use and the food we eat.

On average our water footprint amounts to 8,000 litres (2100 gal) of water each day. This is the net amount, water that can’t be reused.

Water-wise choices is all about smart substitutions and changes in habits.

---

Your Water Footprint:  The Shocking Facts About How Much Water We Use To Make Everyday Product

Winner, Best Science Book in Canada; First Place NYC Green Book Festival

 160 Pages, 125 Unique Infographics, only $19.95 Paperback   Order today

 (Now available on Kindle)

Book Award-winning Environmental Journalist and Author

Stephen will be doing more talks in 2016 about about his prize-winning book Your Water Footprint: The Shocking Facts Behind Our Thirst for Earth’s Most Precious Resource (Best Science Book in Canada).  

Reviewers have called Your Water Footprint: “brilliant and shocking” and “exceptionally lucid”

Stephen is also an expert on the United Nations climate talks and climate science. He is a winner of the prestigious Prince Albert/United Nations Global Prize for his Climate Change and Environment Reporting.

As a journalist he has written over 2000 articles on  science and environmental topics around the world for National Geographic, the Guardian, New Scientist, IPS, and many more.

Stephen’s 8-minute talk for Walrus TV:  “We don’t realize our entire society runs on water. It doesn’t run on oil”

 To inquire about Stephen speaking at your event please complete the contact form below.

Book Now for 2016!

Selected 2015 Appearances

Moscow, Idaho/Pullman, Washington
2015 Palouse Basin Water Summit – Keynote Speaker

Mailbu, California and Los Angles Area
MUSE talks

Victoria, B.C. Walrus Talks Water

 Toronto  Ribbon at the Lower Don Festival celebrating the PAN AM Games 

Halifax, Nova Scotia Walrus Talks Water

CONTACT:

Please fill out the form below – it helps reduce spam. Yes, this really works and I will reply — Stephen.

Name(required)

Email(required)

Website

Message

Submit

Δ

“timely, important, and fascinating” — Review of Your Water Footprint

Anyone living on the West Coast and desert regions of the United States is familiar with the concept of water scarcity. As global warming, food and commodity production, and population increases continue to affect the planet and its resources, water scarcity will continue to be an important and critical issue.

Environmental journalist Leahy has created a guide for understanding just how much water is used in our daily activities and in the manufacturing of the products we consume, while putting into context current facts about the status of water availability. Readers will find the information, which is presented in an ­infographiclike style, easy to understand and to act upon.

While the introduction and conclusion expertly unpack the complex issue of water use, the images and large text in the body of the book seem to be geared toward younger readers. However, this book is unique in its handling of a complex topic and is unlike other texts on the subject. Readers interested in a more traditional study on water might choose David Sedlak’s Water 4.0.

VERDICT The content is timely, important, and fascinating, though the infographic-style depiction of water use might not appeal to some adult readers.—Jaime Corris Hammond, Naugatuck Valley Community Coll. Lib., Waterbury, CT

Your Water Footprint:  The Shocking Facts About How Much Water We Use To Make Everyday Products

October 2014 Firefly Books, 160 Pages, 125 Unique Infographics only $19.95Paperback (Also avail in hardcover) Order today

In US:  Amazon; Powell’s Books; Barnes&Noble; Indiebound

Canada:  Chapters-Indigo;  Signed copies avail at Blue Heron Books – Stephen’s home town bookstore; In Ottawa visit the legendary Octopus Books

UK:  WH Smith; Amazon; Waterstones

Australia: Angus & Robertson; Booktopia

New Zealand: Mighty Ape

Anyone living on the West Coast and desert regions of the United States is familiar with the concept of water scarcity. As global warming, food and commodity production, and population increases continue to affect the planet and its resources, water scarcity will continue to be an important and critical issue.

Environmental journalist Leahy has created a guide for understanding just how much water is used in our daily activities and in the manufacturing of the products we consume, while putting into context current facts about the status of water availability. Readers will find the information, which is presented in an ­infographiclike style, easy to understand and to act upon.

While the introduction and conclusion expertly unpack the complex issue of water use, the images and large text in the body of the book seem to be geared toward younger readers. However, this book is unique in its handling of a complex topic and is unlike other texts on the subject. Readers interested in a more traditional study on water might choose David Sedlak’s Water 4.0.

VERDICT The content is timely, important, and fascinating, though the infographic-style depiction of water use might not appeal to some adult readers.—Jaime Corris Hammond, Naugatuck Valley Community Coll. Lib., Waterbury, CT

Your Water Footprint:  The Shocking Facts About How Much Water We Use To Make Everyday Products

October 2014 Firefly Books, 160 Pages, 125 Unique Infographics only $19.95 Paperback (Also avail in hardcover) Order today

In US:  Amazon; Powell’s Books; Barnes&Noble; Indiebound

Canada:  Chapters-Indigo;  Signed copies avail at Blue Heron Books – Stephen’s home town bookstore; In Ottawa visit the legendary Octopus Books

UK:  WH Smith; Amazon; Waterstones

Australia: Angus & Robertson; Booktopia

New Zealand: Mighty Ape

Your Water Footprint

Review by Doug Pushard

Water science is continually moving forward at a faster and faster pace these days. With population growth and the end of easy, cheap water the need to understand our water usage and how to reduce it is becoming a daily news and discussion item. Your Water Footprint – The Shocking Facts About How Much Water We Use to Make Everyday Products by Stephen Leahy is a great example of a book that is shining the light on the impact we are having on the world’s limited fresh water supply.

New phases are now entering our lexicon – like water footprint, virtual water, direct water use, indirect water use, gross water use, embodied water, blue water, green water, and sustainable water use are all relatively new concepts and/or terms.

The science behind some of these terms is still emerging in some cases, but this fascinating book takes a stab at the current science. Covering topics concerning how much water the everyday items we consume take to produce both in direct water use and in embodied water use. For example, per the book, a 17 ounce bottle of Cola contains a little less than 17 fluid ounces of water, but consumes 42 gallons (163 liters) to produce the flavorings in the bottle of Cola plus 3 gallons (11.5 liters) of water to manufacturer and transport – for a whooping total of 46 gallons (175 liters) of water embodied in one 17 ounce (500 milliliter) bottle of Cola!

The book answers some of those nagging questions that I know I have wondered about:

•Which is better cloth or paper napkins?

•What uses less water cloth or a disposal diaper?

•What fruit consumes the most water to produce?

•Is it better to drink coffee, tea or a softdrink for my caffeine fix?

•Which has less of a water impact a cotton or a poly tshirt?

•Beef, pork, lamb or chicken?

•Wine, beer or vodka?

These and many other answers on our water consumption pour forth in this entertaining and extremely well illustrated book.

This educational book ends with a few water saving tips that are well worth paying attention to. Some of my favorites are: “no one should be in a position of power and influence … without a high level of literacy regarding water”, “knowing how dependent we are on water… we can change what we do”, and lastly “try to do one thing every day that will result in saving water … Every drop counts and every person can make a difference.”

I highly recommend this book. It is a perfect read for those that are fascinated by our impact on the planet, water folks that want to stay abreast of the emerging science on our virtual water use, or anyone else that wants to understand where we are headed as a society in regards to water.

Original review

Your Water Footprint:  The Shocking Facts About How Much Water We Use To Make Everyday Products

October 2014 Firefly Books, 160 Pages, 125 Unique Infographics only $19.95 Paperback (Also avail in hardcover) Order today

In US:  Amazon; Powell’s Books; Barnes&Noble; Indiebound

Canada:  Chapters-Indigo;  Signed copies avail at Blue Heron Books – Stephen’s home town bookstore

UK:  WH Smith; Amazon; Waterstones

Australia: Angus & Robertson; Booktopia

New Zealand: Mighty Ape

Your Water Footprint: An Interview with Author Stephen Leahy

By Peter Hanlon | 11.03.2014 |

 

Stephen Leahy is an award-winning environmental journalist who’s taken a particular interest in what he calls the “hidden world of virtual water” that surrounds us. In his new book, Your Water Footprint: The Shocking Facts About How Much Water We Use To Make Everyday Products, he illustrates the somewhat mysterious concept of virtual water using plenty of graphics and photographs of food, clothing, electronics and other products we use everyday. We recently asked Stephen about his book, his suggestions for what readers can do and how his own water footprint measures up.

What is it about water footprints that compelled you to write your book?

In more than 20 years of environmental journalism I have written many articles about water and water issues but never about water footprints. So when the publisher contacted me about doing a book on water footprints I dug into the subject and was amazed at how we’re literally surrounded by a hidden world of virtual water — water we can’t see but is a real as the water we drink.

Are there any items that you researched but just couldn’t come up with water footprint data?

Yes. Calculating water footprints can be very complex, especially for products made of many different materials. While there are many estimates of the water footprints of cars, I was unable to get a definitive one that included everything and provided detailed explanation of how the calculation was done.

Virtual water can be a difficult concept to explain. Have you found any particular ways that help people understand the difference between direct and virtual water use?

I wrote and rewrote my explanation in the book and give examples such as a detailed explanation of how much virtual and direct water is used to make a bottle of cola.

Once armed with their new knowledge about water footprints, what should readers do?

My hope with Your Water Footprint is to give readers enough information to make water-wise choices to reduce their water use which will not only save money but also be prepared for shortages and ensure our children and grandchildren will have abundant fresh water. This is all about smart substitutions and changes, rather than sacrifice and self-denial.

How do you respond to those who critique the water footprint concept? For example, we’ve heard some say that we never “lose” water because it’s just moving around the water cycle, or ask whether we’re all supposed to stop eating because all food requires water?

That’s a misunderstanding of the concept. While it is true that water is not lost forever, it can be used or consumed so that it can’t be used by anyone else. I use the word ‘consumed’ to make it clear this is water that can no longer be used for anything else or no longer available for use on a human time scale. Water can often be cleaned or reused, so those amounts of water are NOT included in the water footprints in the book.

We hear about carbon footprints, ecological footprints, water footprints….should or can we tie these together?

Ecological footprints try to tie carbon, water and other footprints together which is very helpful but difficult to do. One challenge is that water footprints vary a great deal from place to place. Wheat grown in a desert region like California has a bigger footprint than that in a wetter region like central Canada.

So we have to ask: What’s your water footprint, and do you have a resolution to shrink it?

My water footprint is pretty low. I love vegetarian food and only eat meat on rare, special occasions. Most of my shopping including clothes and some electronics are done in second hand or thrift shops. When I buy something new like a pair of shoes, I make sure they are of very good quality and will last many years. In addition to low-flow showers and toilets and avoiding food waste, the key to shrinking your water footprint is reduce, reuse and recycle the products we use.

[Original article]

Your Water Footprint:  The Shocking Facts About How Much Water We Use To Make Everyday Products

Published Nov 2014  160 Pages, 125 Unique Infographics, $19.95 Paperback

(Also avail in hardcover)

Order on Amazon

In Canada:  Order on Chapters-Indigo

In UK:  Order on WH Smith