Trends in California’s Water Footprint, 1992-2012

Abstract:

Water and other natural resource uses are increasingly affected by globalized trade and consumption patterns. We examine how California’s water footprint has changed over two decades (1992 to 2012). Four findings emerge: first, California’s water footprint (WF) has grown faster than population, indicating an increased per-capita WF; second, while California’s WF is primarily associated with food products, energy products are becoming more important; third, the state’s internal water resources are increasingly used for products consumed outside of the state; and fourth, external water resources have provided for all of California’s expanded WF and are predominately “green water,” or non-managed water sources. In light of climate change and mounting pressures on water resources, California policymaking must examine these trends in order to mitigate water-related risk.