The groundbreaking new concept that reveals the true and hazardous extent of our everyday water consumption. How much water does it take to make a cup of coffee? The answer may shock you: 140 litres! That's the true amount of water used in growing, producing, packaging and shipping the beans you use to make your morning coffee. Your lunchtime hamburger takes 2400 litres and that favourite pair of jeans a whopping 11,000 litres. In fact all the goods we buy - from food to clothing to com-puters - all have a water cost in the form of virtual water - the powerful new concept that reveals the hidden facts of our real water consumption. What can we do to help tackle the threat to our planet's most precious resource? World water expert Tony Allan - creator of the virtual water concept - shows the way. He exposes the real impact of our modern lifestyle and shows how we as individuals and governments globally can make a vital contribution to managing our water use in a more planet-friendly way.