Renault (2003) notes that one can try to surmount episodes of water shortage by forming artificial water reservoirs, but as an alternative one can also store water in its virtual form, for example by food storage. This can be a more resourceful and environmentally sustainable way to conserve and maintain water supplies than building large dams for temporary water storage. Further advantages of the virtual water concept include that in terms of practicality, the transfer of water in its virtual form is a lot less costly economically, as well as being less difficult and intrusive to physically orchestrate. Virtual water transfers in the form of commodity trade is economically feasible, (Hoekstra, 2003), particularly in a domain of relatively cheap food prices, and this trade can be assembled and organised …show more content…
It raises the question as to whether such a doubtful ‘solution’ should be implemented on an influentially huge scale when it directly controls the most important resource on earth. Theoretically, the virtual water strategy is a vital solution for water resource problems and so I agree with the ideas of Allan and Hoekstra. If exercised and applied in a just and correct manner, the virtual water strategy does indeed offer a viable solution to water scarcity. This is if the existing political, economic and social barriers that counteract its potential are overcome