On the one side water can be considered one of the most permanently renewed available resources. At the same time water can be considered one of the scarcest and most endangered resources. The difference lies in the restricted availability of and access to clean water as a result of pollution, climate change, irresponsible land use and particularly chemical farming. Any organism on the planet can adjust and adapt if certain resources are scarce, but a lack of water leads to immediate death in most cases.
Our western lifestyle has meant that we use water in a very wasteful way. As with energy, the global food chain (particularly in industrialized countries) is a main contributor to our growing fresh water scarcity. It is of utmost importance to treat this vital resource with care and to ensure that wasting of water is reduced to an absolute minimum throughout the food chain. Currently, 70% of water worldwide is used in agriculture, 20% in industry and 10% in the domestic sector. Any change to the management of water in the agricultural sector therefore has a huge impact on the availability of fresh water for human beings.
The Sustainability Flower guidelines require a transparent reporting on
- Total water withdrawal by source
- Water sources significantly affected by withdrawal of water
- Percentage and total volume of water recycled and reused
- Total environmental protection expenditures and investments
Organic Farming and Water
When it comes to sustainable water management, organic farming (through the use of compost) can play a vital role. The main use of water in agriculture is for irrigation. By using compost-enriched soil, farmers are increasing the water-holding capacity of the soil and therefore reducing the need for irrigation.