- Current world population is 7 Billion
- Humans derive about 20% of their protein from animal-based products
- 900,000,000 people already go hungry
- 2,000,000,000 people are malnourished even though per capita
food production continues to increase - 70% of all available water is used in agriculture
- One third of all the world’s arable land is used to grow crops to feed animals
- Those who eat animal based foods consume five to ten times more water than those eating a vegetarian (not even vegan) diet.
- World population is projected to grow by 2 Billion people to 9 Billion by 2050
So, how do we get enough water to grow crops, raise animals for food and still have drinking water?” According to SIWI we might not unless we are willing to change how we eat.
Malik Falkenmark and his colleagues at the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) flatly state:
There will be just enough water if the proportion of animal-based foods is limited to 5% of total calories and considerable regional water deficits can be met by a …. reliable system of food trade.
That is the good news, actually! Particularly for those of us who are already vegetarian (probably eating 10% or less animal products) or vegan (eating 0%). We know that eating a plant based diet not only saves water, but makes us feel better and the food tastes great! So spread the word!