Hungary in the virtual water market

Ijjas, Flóra

Keywords: virtual water, concept, market, management, crises

The minimum information needed to make decisions on a national level based on the concept of virtual water is as follows (European Regional Report, 2009): where, when, how much and what quality water stock is available, where are these water stocks used and for what, what happens to the water after it is used, ho much virtual water leaves the country in exported goods, and how much virtual water is received by the country in imported goods. If this information is available, important conclusions can be derived concerning future lines of action, to help the nation’s decision-makers create a more sustainable water stock management policy. Also, through certain commercial policy measures based on a virtual water trade strategy, water may be saved on the national or even global level via goods exported by countries applying more water-efficient procedures.
All this makes it clear that the concept of virtual water can be of great assistance in understanding big crises (energy and food crisis, climate change) and in preparing political and economic measures to resolve such crises, as well as other measures. It may also be the basis for alternative solutions and ways of execution. The concept of virtual water may also draw attention to the risks of unjustified, wasteful and insatiate consumption and the serious environmental damages resulting from it. It may also trigger strong emotional response when presenting water quantities used in everyday life – for example by showing that a bathtub of water is needed to ensure one’s morning cup of coffee. Environmental awareness could be improved by using some sort of an water label, similar to eco labels.
Preserving existing water stock and protecting its quality, as well as ensuring the continuous supply of potable water, is one of the most important and urgent tasks of the present day. All future water-related research, including research into virtual water, will therefore have a huge role in resolving the latter issues. It should be mentioned, however, that some suggested solutions may lead to serious damage rather than help social progress and the preservation of the biosphere. Therefore it is important to examine all such attempts carefully.
Society has to make decisions on serious issues. In general, the sustainability of familiar structures (the financial system, the energy market, the legal system, the social institutions) is strongly questionable, at least in their current form. We are approaching a turning point which may lead us to a higher level of development if we have the courage to make changes. If we continue to be bound to certain ‘bad’ and old habits and preferences, and the systems created to support such habits, and continue to deal with ideas and theories without taking action, the larger system (the Earth) will probably detach itself from its dysfunctional subsystem (humanity).

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