Do We Really Need a Water Footprint? Global Trade, Water Scarcity and the Limited Role of Virtual Water

In this issue of GAIA three articles deal with the policy relevance of virtual water trade, particularly the water footprint concept. First, Erik Gawel and Kristina Bernsen doubt that the concept helps to govern global water trade because it is not compatible with economic resource and trade theory. For Anne Biewald, the virtual water theory provides valuable information on how trade affects water used for production but the tools have to be developed further. Finally, Dennis Wichelns points out that we do not need concepts such as virtual water or water footprints to enhance understanding of water scarcity or to provide guidance on sound policy.