500 PAGES 500 PAGES

6

Water Footprint

NAME

“Data Project 3”

INSTITUTION

Date 11/24/2020

PROF,

Part I

The charts present the trends of water management as noted down by students in the class. The amount of water used virtually is more than the amount used outdoor. In the virtual water category, diet consumes about 768 gallons of water per day higher than any other daily activity. Shopping habits also consume about 291 gallons of water in a day. However, outdoor activities consume fewer gallons of water through car washing that consumes only 8 gallons of water. In the pie chart on indoor water, bathroom sinks consume the largest portion at 32% while bathtub has none. Diet and shopping habits take the largest share of the virtual chart as people have to drink a lot of water in a day and the water is also found in food, fruits and used in cooking. The trend depicted above is because of the current changes in climatic conditions that have become warmer than in previous years.

The data describes ways that water as a resource is managed and utilized by individuals in society. The methodology used to analyze the information in the description method. Descriptive analysis is used to analyze the basic details of the data being studied. It forms a part of a virtual analysis of qualitative data along with a simplified summary of the samples provided. Analysis has also been done using spreadsheet tools and calculations to establish the mean or average of the data available. Presentation of the information has also been done through a pie chart where each category of data is shown in specific pie charts with correct percentages. Pie charts provide a better display of multiple classes of data, summarizes the information in a visual form. They also provide an easy way of understanding and interpreting data that is available.

Part II

Changing personal diet is one way of reducing the effects of climate change that cause many to consume lots of water. The food industry produces high amounts of greenhouse gas emissions that have contributed to temperature rise globally. Therefore, reducing the intake of meat and dairy products is important in reducing the amount of water used on daily basis. According to (Ortiz, 2018) beef rearing requires huge amounts of water and fertilizers that release greenhouse gases number 1 contributing factor to climate change. By reducing the amount of animal protein consumed per day one can cut their carbon footprint which also sums up to water footprint by more than 40%.

Cradle to cradle and making smart choices are sustainable ways of reducing water usage through shopping. Cradle to cradle is an option that involves the recycling of material until the given substance is over. Most fashion houses have adopted this method where a material achieves different design or purpose but is not thrown away. When buying and consuming substance we are supposed to make smart and informed choices that take into account the environment (Climate change connection, 2018). One can make smart choices by choosing items with the following qualities: recyclable, durability, reusable, fewer, local, and packaging. By doing this, we reduce the number of times manufacturers have to harvest natural resources such as water from the environment.

The data above shows the trends of water management with diet consuming the highest percentage followed by shopping habits. The data is presented in different pie charts that represent each category individually. Changing our diet habits and making informed choices that protect the environment help solve climate change problems that increase temperatures requiring individuals to drink lots of water.

Reference

Climate Change Connection. (2018). Personal solutions as a consumer. http://climatechangeconnection.org/solutions/personal-solutions/as-a-consumer/

Ortiz, D., A. Ten simple ways to act on climate change. BBC https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20181102-what-can-i-do-about-climate-change 

Appendix

Figure 1.1 Virtual Water

Figure 2.1 Outdoor Water

Figure 3. 1 Raw data

Virtual Water

Gallons/day Driving Electricity Paper shopping habits Plastic Bottle/cans Fabrics Diet Pet food 7 13 -2 291 0 0 -6 768 0

Outdoor water

Gallons/day

Shower Kitchen Sink Bathtub Dishes Bathroom sink Laundry Toilet Greywater systems 20 20 0 16 40 5 25 0