180
W. Cai et al.
likely to grow, thus pushing up the demand for water resources (Gerbens-Leenes
et al. 2002).
(3) Urbanization and industrialization. Both economic boom and population growth
during urbanization and industrialization trigger greater demand for water.
Higher standards of consumption, massive rural–urban migration, and overall
growth in consumer demand, consumption upgrade, increased need for meat
and vegetables in food consumption—all these changes will place China’s water
resources under greater pressure and make water shortage even worse. Meanwhile, China’s water resources are further challenged by regional disparity,
technical difficulty in resource utilization and in water diversion between river
basins, and the supply of crops and other key agro-products is increasingly at
odds with the environmental capacity of resources. Hoekstra and Mekonnen
(2012) rightly pointed out that the shift from a traditional extensive or mixed
agricultural system to an industrial agriculture system was inevitable during
industrialization, which would prompt a hike in blue water and gray water footprint per unit of animal product. Li et al. (2017) stated that sprawling urbanization, population growth and expansion of industrial production were major
impediments to urban water saving.
Going forward, further economic growth and household consumption will trigger
mounting pressure on water demand. In terms of dietary composition, urban demand
for higher nutritional value would entail tremendous growth potentials for vegetable
and meat consumption, together with the rapid growth of per capita consumption of
aquatic products and fruits. As a whole, the dietary mix of future urban residents will
shift from plant-based food to a blend of both plant and animal-based products, with
growing uptake of the latter. Since animal-based food production generally involves
more water use than plant-based food, future demand for food will generate more
pressure for the sustainable use of water resources. In addition, a spike in demand
for clothing, housing, transport, cultural services, education and entertainment will
also ensue, putting greater strain on water resources with expanding consumption.
Other than the surge in water demand implied in household consumption, the demand
for direct water use has also been on constant increase. According to the statistics
published in China Water Resources Bulletin, China’s household water consumption
was up 7.3% from 2010 to 2016, considerably higher than the growth in total water
use. With growing urbanization and industrial restructuring, the share of urban household use is expected to rise further, aggravating urban water shortage, and, to some
extent, hampering sustainable development in some cities. Given the mounting strain
on water consumption, water table drop and inefficient utilization of water in China,
it is necessary to draw attention to water pressure from household consumption,
especially food consumption, and encourage citizens to change their consumption
mix and save water from the demand side. Ample evidences have illustrated the
contribution of changed food consumption (eg: more vegetables and less meats) to
a healthier lifestyle and reduced pressure on water demand from food production.
Potential for water conservation on the demand side is yet to be further unleashed.
W. Cai et al.
likely to grow, thus pushing up the demand for water resources (Gerbens-Leenes
et al. 2002).
(3) Urbanization and industrialization. Both economic boom and population growth
during urbanization and industrialization trigger greater demand for water.
Higher standards of consumption, massive rural–urban migration, and overall
growth in consumer demand, consumption upgrade, increased need for meat
and vegetables in food consumption—all these changes will place China’s water
resources under greater pressure and make water shortage even worse. Meanwhile, China’s water resources are further challenged by regional disparity,
technical difficulty in resource utilization and in water diversion between river
basins, and the supply of crops and other key agro-products is increasingly at
odds with the environmental capacity of resources. Hoekstra and Mekonnen
(2012) rightly pointed out that the shift from a traditional extensive or mixed
agricultural system to an industrial agriculture system was inevitable during
industrialization, which would prompt a hike in blue water and gray water footprint per unit of animal product. Li et al. (2017) stated that sprawling urbanization, population growth and expansion of industrial production were major
impediments to urban water saving.
Going forward, further economic growth and household consumption will trigger
mounting pressure on water demand. In terms of dietary composition, urban demand
for higher nutritional value would entail tremendous growth potentials for vegetable
and meat consumption, together with the rapid growth of per capita consumption of
aquatic products and fruits. As a whole, the dietary mix of future urban residents will
shift from plant-based food to a blend of both plant and animal-based products, with
growing uptake of the latter. Since animal-based food production generally involves
more water use than plant-based food, future demand for food will generate more
pressure for the sustainable use of water resources. In addition, a spike in demand
for clothing, housing, transport, cultural services, education and entertainment will
also ensue, putting greater strain on water resources with expanding consumption.
Other than the surge in water demand implied in household consumption, the demand
for direct water use has also been on constant increase. According to the statistics
published in China Water Resources Bulletin, China’s household water consumption
was up 7.3% from 2010 to 2016, considerably higher than the growth in total water
use. With growing urbanization and industrial restructuring, the share of urban household use is expected to rise further, aggravating urban water shortage, and, to some
extent, hampering sustainable development in some cities. Given the mounting strain
on water consumption, water table drop and inefficient utilization of water in China,
it is necessary to draw attention to water pressure from household consumption,
especially food consumption, and encourage citizens to change their consumption
mix and save water from the demand side. Ample evidences have illustrated the
contribution of changed food consumption (eg: more vegetables and less meats) to
a healthier lifestyle and reduced pressure on water demand from food production.
Potential for water conservation on the demand side is yet to be further unleashed.