Abstract
Due to population growth, climatic change, and growing water usage, water scarcity is expected to be a more prevalent issue at the global level. The situation in Australia is even more serious because it is the driest continent and is characterized by larger water footprints in the domestic, agriculture and industrial sectors. Because the largest consumption of freshwater resources is in the agricultural sector (59%), this research undertakes a detailed investigation of the water footprints of agricultural practices in Australia. The analysis of the four highest water footprint crops in Australia revealed that the suitability of various crops is connected to the region and the irrigation efficiencies. A desirable crop in one region may be unsuitable in another. The investigation is further extended to analyze the overall virtual water trade of Australia. Australia’s annual virtual water trade balance is adversely biased towards exporting a substantial quantity of water, amounting to 35 km3, per trade data of 2014. It is evident that there is significant potential to reduce water consumption and footprints, and increase the water usage efficiencies, in all sectors. Based on the investigations conducted, it is recommended that the water footprints at each state level be considered at the strategic level. Further detailed analyses are required to reduce the export of a substantial quantity of virtual water considering local demands, export requirements, and production capabilities of regions.
Highlights
Inefficient and excessive use of water could deplete aquifers, degrade flora and fauna habitats, and cause water supply shortages
Sci. 2020, 10, 6156 scarce, the appropriate usage of water needs to be emphasized, in the agricultural sector. This trend is worrying considering the additional factor of global warming, which is further contributing to water scarcity through the increased evaporation of freshwater resources
Green and grey water footprints for industrial sector were assumed to National Water Account and GVA (Gross Value Added) data taken from the Australian Bureau of be the same [40] and, for the scope of this research, detailed insight of these two was not required
Summary
Inefficient and excessive use of water could deplete aquifers, degrade flora and fauna habitats, and cause water supply shortages. Sci. 2020, 10, 6156 scarce, the appropriate usage of water needs to be emphasized, in the agricultural sector This trend is worrying considering the additional factor of global warming, which is further contributing to water scarcity through the increased evaporation of freshwater resources. This phenomenon is generally characterized by less rainfall and drier conditions. A significant amount of detailed water efficiency, footprints, virtual trade, and accounting research has been carried out for China in the fields of food security, power generation, urban households, and agriculture sectors [15,16,17,18,19]. The outcomes of this research provide guidance to improve water consumption in Australia but are beneficial for other countries/regions to review their water consumption practices considering the availability and economic value of water
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