Hoekstra and Mekonnen (2012) introduce the concept of the water footprint to show what?

• A. Water footprint is a local measure only.
• B. Water use is embedded in global consumption patterns; the water footprint concept; hidden impacts.
• C. Water use is only tied to domestic consumption.
• D. Water scarcity is independent of trade.

Answer: (B)

The idea being tested is that water use travels with what we consume. Hoekstra and Mekonnen introduced the water footprint to show that the water needed to produce goods and services is embedded in global consumption patterns, meaning water use in one country often supports consumption in another. This concept highlights hidden impacts—the virtual or embedded water tied to imports and exports—so it reveals how our choices affect water resources far beyond our borders. It isn’t only local or domestic water use, and it shows that water scarcity is connected to trade because trade moves the responsibility for water use around the world.