Virtual Water Flow: A Web Map

This interactive map visualises the global flow of virtual water embedded in cottonseed trade.

Virtual water refers to the volume of water used to produce a commodity or a service. Therefore, when such commodities and services are traded, so is the virtual water embedded in their production.

While in theory, virtual water trade has the potential to compensate for local water deficits in water-scarce regions, this map demonstrates that it is not uncommon to see these water-scarce regions become exporters of virtual water.

Tools used: JavaScript (d3.js), HTML, CSS

This project was co-created with Ben Alexander McLeod.