A Single Cup of Coffee Requires 140 Liters of Water

Everything in nature has a water footprint. For instance, bringing one kilogram of beef to your table requires at least 15,000 liters of water. The amount of water needed for a single cup of black coffee to make its way to the end consumer is 140 liters. We are halfway through winter without even needing our winter clothes. Textile manufacturers, unable to sell coats and sweaters, are offering discount after discount to clear their inventory. Many ski resorts have not opened due to a lack of snowfall. Dams are sending out an S.O.S., and we are approaching spring with concerns of agricultural drought. Ultimately, we have just left behind the second warmest year on record globally. Judging by the first 15 days, a similar picture awaits us in 2018. Consider Australia, currently in its summer season, where asphalt-melting heat has killed thousands of bats. Do we have enough water? The authorities are well aware of the situation. The statement from the Minister of Forestry and Water Affairs, Veysel Eroğlu, that "We have left behind the driest year of the last 44 years," still resonates. If significant snow and rain do not arrive within a few months, it seems we will face severe challenges in the spring. The threat of water scarcity is at our doorstep. In reality, water scarcity is not a risk confined only to periods of drought. According to the World Economic Forum's Risk Report, it is already one of the top three global risks. Currently, one-fifth of the world's population is experiencing water scarcity. Considering the global population is projected to increase by around 40 percent in the next 40-50 years, the demand for water will undoubtedly rise proportionately. But will existing resources be sufficient to meet this demand? This is the most critical point. The amount of usable freshwater is less than 1 percent of the world's total water supply, and 884 million people lack access to clean water. If population growth and consumption continue at this rate, access to water is poised to become the world's primary problem. The situation in Turkey is no different. We are in a region heavily impacted by global warming and are on the brink of water scarcity. We currently use 32 billion cubic meters of water, and within about 10 years, we may be forced to use our entire existing water reserve of 112 billion cubic meters. Today, our direct water consumption is 216 liters per person per day. If we include indirect water use, our daily consumption rises to a staggering 5,416 liters. Isn't that an immense figure? Indirect use refers to the amount of water consumed in the production of the food you eat, the beverages you drink, and the goods you use. In other words, your water footprint. Why is it important to know this? Everything in nature has a water footprint. For example, bringing one kilogram of beef to your table requires at least 15,000 liters of water. When you buy a kilogram of tea from the market, you are also 'buying' 9,000 liters of water. You drink a glass of wine at the cost of 109 liters of water, and a 50cl beer at the cost of 148 liters. Take a simple cup of black coffee, for instance. Let's look at the processes it goes through to reach the consumer: the cultivation of the coffee plant, harvesting, refining, transportation, packaging, selling, and finally, pouring it into a cup. The total amount of water required for all these steps is 140 liters. When this coffee is consumed in a paper cup with added milk and sugar, the water usage can increase to 208 liters.* So, why is knowing this important? It's crucial for reducing both individual and sectoral water footprints. Annual food waste alone accounts for the loss of 2 billion tons of water. How is it calculated? When calculating your water footprint, many parameters are considered, from the number of people in your home to how often you wash your car. However, the most significant factor is your indirect water consumption. This involves criteria such as your weekly consumption of meat, milk, and cheese, how many cups of tea and coffee you drink, how much you spend on clothing, the amount of gasoline you purchase, and your natural gas bill. The resulting water footprint is composed of three main components: blue, green, and gray. The Blue Water Footprint refers to the volume of surface and groundwater resources required to produce a product. The Green Water Footprint signifies the total rainwater consumed during production. The Gray Water Footprint is an indicator of pollution, representing the volume of freshwater required to assimilate pollutants to meet specific water quality standards. There are many applications available to calculate your water footprint. This address is one of them: http://www.gtecarbon.com/water-footprint-calculator/index.php?language=tr A portion of the figures used in this article is sourced from the 'Climate Change and Sustainability in Agriculture in Turkey' report.