WATER BEARER

“Change is the handmaiden Nature requires to do her miracles with. “

Mark Twain

The message at Water Bearer is to shed light on the fresh water crisis and spread awareness on how simple, everyday choices in our shopping habits can impact our planet. The food we eat, the clothes we buy all comes with a “water currency”. What products we spend our money on can exacerbate the water shortage. It’s imperative that we learn how to make better informed decisions about consumerism and the effects on the environment. Shopping guides, relevant news stories and illuminating environmental justice issues will keep you updated on how to get involved by spending in a environmental conscience way.

---

Follow My Blog

Get new content delivered directly to your inbox.

Your Almond Milk Latte Isn’t As “Green”

As You Think

I first started drinking soy milk in the 1990’s, as an alternative to cows milk. It was easier on my stomach, I had a mild lactose intolerance since I was a child. Now, there is a plethora of plant-based milk alternatives stocked in every supermarket, but at what cost. Let’s focus on the most popular…almond milk is the most consumed plant based beverage. California produces 80% of the worlds almonds, it’s also grown in drought stricken San Joaquin Valley. Most think by choosing a plant-based milk, it has a lesser carbon footprint than cows milk. It’s definitely is more humane. But what effect does it have on California’s limited ground water?

Many almond farms are converted from land that was once used for low water crops, such as corn. There has been a dramatic increase in irrigation usage due to the immense amount of water it takes to grow almond trees. Tens of thousands acres of natural land, including precious wetlands has been turned into almond groves. Wetlands are an essential part of California’s natural environment, providing habitat for plants and animals, absorb pollutants, protect shorelines and improve water quality. According to the Guardian, over a gallon of water to grow one almond is used, and 10% of California’s water is used for almond farms!

Savannah Gardner, a researcher on irrigation water efficiency in the Central Valley, stated, “Farmers react to food trends, because that is where the money is. Huge almond operatives are now all over the [Central] Valley in lieu of traditional table crop farms that once grew tomatoes and cauliflower. “. The San Joaquin valley has severe subsidence (sinking) due to the depletion of the ground water table. Miss Gardner adds, “The combination of corporate buyout of Central Valley land and poor ground water regulation creates a perfect scenario to legally overdraw ground water basins”.

So what is the solution? There are many other plant based milk options. Pea protein is a great choice. Those tiny green spheres of goodness use six times less water than almonds! Other great choices are soy or oat milk. I’ve included a link for a comprehensive plant based milk comparison in regards to Eco friendly alternatives. There isn’t a perfect solution–for anything to grow, it needs water, it’s the essence for all life. So, the consensus is buying almond milk takes a chuck out of your “water currency”. Be thrifty when it comes to water and your next latte.

Ever Watching,

The Water Sentinel