veejalajälje

Veejalajälg, also known as water footprint, is a measure of the total volume of freshwater used to produce the goods and services consumed by an individual, community, or business. It encompasses both direct and indirect water use. Direct water use refers to the water we consume or use directly, such as for drinking, cooking, and hygiene. Indirect water use, which constitutes the largest portion of most people's water footprint, is the water embedded in the products and services we consume. This includes the water used in agriculture to grow our food, in manufacturing to produce our clothes and electronics, and in energy generation.

There are three main components to a water footprint: green water, blue water, and grey water. Green water is the rainwater stored in the soil and used by plants. Blue water is the surface and groundwater consumed, such as irrigation water diverted from rivers and aquifers. Grey water is the volume of freshwater required to dilute pollutants to acceptable levels in contaminated water bodies. Understanding one's water footprint is crucial for raising awareness about water scarcity and promoting more sustainable water management practices. By reducing our consumption of water-intensive products and adopting water-saving habits, we can collectively lessen the strain on freshwater resources.