Previously in this course, you calculated your overall environmental impact. Your ecological footprint estimates the amount of land that would be needed if everyone shared your lifestyle. For this assignment, we will narrow our focus to just your water usage.

Before starting this activity, answer the following questions on a new Microsoft Word document. You will not be judged on the accuracy of your guess. For many of you, this exercise will demonstrate how grossly we underestimate our water use.

1. How much water do you think you use in a day?
2. Of the various activities and tasks that you participate in, which do you think uses the most water?

DETAILS

When answering the questions above, are you counting the water you don’t see but that is needed to grow your food, make your products, and transport items to you? This embodied water, the “hidden” water needed in our daily lives, is referred to as virtual water. The majority of your water usage comes from virtual water, which makes it difficult for people to visualize their water usage and make meaningful changes.

You’ll use a virtual water calculator to estimate your water footprint. Again, this exercise is just an estimate that shows you how your choices influence the amount of water you use. Do not stress over the specific numbers. Some of you may be interested in how to reduce your water usage, and it helps to know which activities have the biggest impact.

REQUIREMENTS

• Answer the following questions on your Word document before starting the Water Footprint Calculator.
  1. How much water do you think you use in a day?
  
  2. Of the various activities and tasks that you participate in, which do you think uses the most water?
• Visit the Water Footprint CalculatorLinks to an external site..
• Read the questions completely as sometimes they give specific instructions that aren’t obvious (e.g., How frequently do you run your kitchen sink without including dishwashing?).
• As you answer the questions, pay attention to the number of gallons used in the bottom left corner and the water level that starts to rise from the bottom. This will indicate which activities require the most water.
• When you have answered all the questions, it should give you your water footprint (in gallons/day) compared to the national average.
• Take a screenshot of your results. This is to help verify you completed the activity, not to judge your results.
• Either include the screenshot in your assignment Word document or upload it here separately.
• Answer the following questions after doing the calculator:

1. List 2-3 activities or choices that use the most water as you’ve been shown from your results.
2. Do you think most people realize how much their food choices impact their water usage? Explain.
3. Do you think people would change their food choices if they knew of the environmental impact it had?
4. List at least two changes you can make to improve your water footprint. You are not obligated to complete these tasks, just list what could be done.

Requirements: As it mentioned above