In September 2024, the start-up Hydros launched the free simulator “My Water Footprint,” an innovative tool that allows users to calculate their impact in terms of water consumption. Inspired by carbon footprint calculators, this tool aims to raise public awareness about the importance of this precious resource, especially since freshwater accounts for only 2.5% of the world’s water reserves.
**A comprehensive approach to better understand the impact of our consumption**
Based on the “Water Footprint” methodology, this simulator calculates not only the water used directly in daily life, such as for drinking or washing, but also the water consumed throughout the production processes of the goods we use. This “invisible” water is often unknown to the general public, even though it plays a crucial role in the manufacturing of many everyday items. For example, producing a pair of jeans or a mobile phone can require thousands of liters of water.
The simulator thus allows for a better understanding of the overall impact of our consumption choices by taking into account the water used to produce these goods. It provides an overview that goes beyond the water we use daily and encourages deeper reflection on our habits.
**How does the simulator work?**
The tool asks users about their dietary and clothing habits, as well as their use of electronic devices. By answering these questions, each person can obtain an estimate of their daily consumption in liters. This calculation includes not only visible water but also the “hidden” water necessary for the production of goods.
Available online and for free, the My Water Footprint simulator is part of a broader initiative to raise awareness about sustainable water management. While environmental concerns are often focused on carbon, Hydros highlights the urgency of considering the water footprint, particularly in the context of increasing shortages and alarming forecasts regarding the future of freshwater in the world.
Tools like this are essential for encouraging more responsible behaviors in the face of an increasingly threatened resource.
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