Freshwater makes up a small fraction of the earth’s water. The UN estimates that by 2025, two-thirds of the global population will live in areas affected by water scarcity. Another issue is that it disproportionately affects People of Color, and the situation is expected to get even worse. Only 0.007% of water is available to a population of 6.8 billion people.
Agriculture accounts for 92% of humanity’s water footprint and animal agriculture represents one-third of that. Animal agriculture is resource-intensive and freshwater is needed for growing feed and hydrating animals. When our diet is the biggest contributor to our water footprint, what can we do?
Water saved by going vegan could conserve drinking water for those who are suffering from a lack of access. Crops grown for animals could be dedicated to human consumption and help alleviate food insecurity. Land could be used to grow more sustainable plant-based protein. Animal agriculture is not only a threat to our water supply, but also ocean ecosystems, global temperatures, and human health.
