Water, water anywhere?
Where does it go?
This is entirely worth the time it takes to listen to and even more valuable will be the time spent thinking about it and acting on it:
On top of that, is the fact that of the feed given to cattle that doesn’t become waste or methane, 37% is lost in processing live cattle into carcasses (dressing) and another 22% when the carcass becomes retail cuts and lean trim (ground beef).* Beyond that, depending on the cut you buy, between 20% and 50% of what you pay for is lost when you cook it. Cattle are a very inefficient vehicle for protein and other nutrients but, raised and cooked right, can taste really good. The most effective way to minimize the loss and help the people who are suffering from a lack of water is to buy locally, regeneratively raised beef (and pork and chicken) and use it as efficiently as possible.
Even those of us who aren’t in the immediately impacted area can help by:
1) Not buying or using bottled water – ever - from anybody. Get a cleanable, reusable, environmentally friendly water bottle and fill it from a tap.
2) Don’t plant grass in your yard and, if you already have a lawn, don’t water it. Plant native grasses and ground covers and let them become living mulch for your native pollinator friendly flowers, shrubs and trees.
3) Spend your money on regeneratively produced foods, beverages and other household goods and, whenever possible, avoid Nestle because they are probably the single biggest abuser of water resources.
4) Write your Congressperson and Senators and get them to act on the many pieces of legislation that would address the multitude of challenges our environment including the water supply faces.
None of us can do everything, but each of us can do one thing and, if all of us do something, tomorrow will be better than today and the day after will be even better.
*Statistics on processing are from https://extension.sdstate.edu/how-much-meat-can-you-expect-fed-steer
Wow, Dave. I had no idea. This is a huge surprise for me. I learned a lot. Thanks for putting this out there.
Here in New England, we have been affected by drought and our outdoor watering in many towns is restricted to one day a week. I'm on our condo association board and we are considering the replacement of some of our little grass front lawns with mulch and native shrubbery.
But our water restrictions are driven by something else. PFAs. Forever chemicals have become part of our water supply, shutting down two of the twelve town wells. A couple of industries left behind a toxic legacy.
I will not buy bottled water because the contents are a mystery. So I found a filtration system that we use for our drinking water.
I am dismayed by how little attention our water issues get in the press. Yes, there are stories about Lake Powell and Lake Mead being historically low. But I find the lack of political will appalling. What could be more important than water? Air, I guess.
Let's face it, the oligarchs will always be fine and those at the bottom half of the totem pole will always suffer. But most of them are asleep.
I consider myself an omnivore. Many sources of protein. Reducing our consumption of beef has been our trend anyway due to health concerns. Beef and beer = gout for me. So for us, meat is a treat.
This video was constructed really well. May I steal it?