How sustainable is animal agriculture? (Here’s a hint; not very!)

Last week, we touched on issues surrounding the drought in California. We looked at how important California is to the rest of America… How California grows a large percentage of the nation’s nuts and vegetables, and exactly how much water is necessary for certain items to be produced. (And if you missed it, you can catch up on it here http://bit.ly/1F32BNO)

Something we only mentioned in passing last week was how much water it takes to produce a pound of beef. It varies, but most resources will tell you that it can take anywhere from 1800-2500 gallons of water to produce a pound of beef. Growing crops, like alfalfa, to feed cattle accounts for most of the water usage.

In fact, Alfalfa uses more water than any other crop in the state of California. Alfalfa growers export billions of gallons of water in the form of alfalfa to Asia every year. Not to feed people, but to feed cattle! Seems a bit crazy that California, plagued by drought and water shortages, so willingly exports all of this water in the form of alfalfa.

I also came across a UN report released in 2006 (wtf 2006?!) which showed that raising cattle produces more greenhouse gas emissions than driving cars. Maybe I live under a rock, but I feel like a lot more people would be concerned about this if they actually knew about it.

So why is it still happening? Of course solutions are always more simple on paper. But it seems to me that if we ate less beef (and the same can be said for any type of livestock), then we wouldn’t have to breed as many cows. Which would mean that we wouldn’t have to feed as many cows. And wouldn’t that, in turn, free up more water? (Goodbye alfalfa exports, hello water!) Bam! Problem solved. You’re welcome California.

Okay, I know, it’s easier said than done. But it can be done. Meatless Mondays are a thing now. If more people were to (at the risk of sounding like a hippie) take on a more plant based diet and reduce their animal consumption, then maybe we could start reversing the damaging affects animal agriculture is having on our planet.

But if saving the world from impending doom isn’t incentive enough, how about saving your own skin first?

People are starting to realize that a meat-heavy diet isn’t as beneficial is it was once thought to be. Cutting back your animal intake at least one day a week and increasing your fruit and veg intake can reduce your risk to certain diseases; heart disease, stroke, and even limit your risk to certain types of cancers.

Now I’m not saying go full hippie. But I think it’s up to us to force a change. Start small. Eat and buy local. Cut back on that bacon, or beef or whatever. How long do you think it will take for these Californian farmers to throw in the towel? Care to make a bet? Because I wouldn’t be surprised if the end of the world comes first.

-A