The Ingenieur Vol 57 January-March 2014 The Ingenieur Vol 57 January-March 2014 | Page 32

INGENIEUR

Shrinking green field due to urbanization and industrial use is one factor leading to water stress of that region.
developed and determined to
enable the introduction of virtual
water as an instrument. Virtual
water accounts should be
developed to support national
or regional water and agricultural
policies.
There is a real need
for more research into the
prescriptive potential of the
virtual water theory and on the
potential of virtual water trade to
relieve pressure on the globe’s
water resources and to achieve
food security in the world’s water
scarce regions. To make the
concept of virtual water helpful in
policy making, the concept itself
needs to be further clarified and
the difference with common food
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30

trade must be more explicit.
From
the
consumers’
perspective,
there
were
suggestions that consumers
should be informed of the virtual
water content of the products
they purchase from the market.
Products label should mention
water efficiency.
Conclusion
Malaysia with its abundance of
rainfall will have a comparative
advantage in virtual water
trade for products and services
when water stress around the
globe reaches a dangerous
threshold level due to population
growth and shrinking green

VOL 57 JANUARY-MARCH 2014
VOL 55 JUNE 2013

fields because of urbanization.
However, the issue of pollution
depending on the types of
products selected has to be
carefully examined. For example,
aquaculture is considered to
be a source of pollution in river
systems especially for the fish
rearing industry.
The call for innovation
in water efficiency will be a
challenge to, and an opportunity
for, the engineering fraternity.
The introduction of water
conservation in Green Building
Index (GBI) certification is a good
start but a better understanding
of water footprints and virtual
water should be inculcated in
engineers at large.