4 ms·
Other way around. That New York Times infographic is just pernicious misinformation. Almonds are grown and sold internationally at a profit. It is an expensive
by blululu 4y ago
Other way around. That New York Times infographic is just pernicious misinformation. Almonds are grown and sold internationally at a profit. It is an expensive crop that requires a unique climate. Cows take 10x the water per pound, sell for less, can be raised anywhere and rely on government subsidies. Alternatives to alfalfa will still take more water per pound of beef than a pound of almonds.
- stametseater 4y agoAlmonds are a luxury crop, not a staple, so it shouldn't matter that they're profitable. Environmental concerns should take precedent over private profit. Also, cows/alfa or almonds is a false dichotomy, so defending almonds by citing cows doesn't make sense. Almond farming in California should be banned and not replaced with more cows/alfa, since that would obviously defeat the point. The point is for Californian agriculture to use less water, not shuffle the water use around, least of all to other crops which aren't necessary to keep humans fed (e.g. staple crops, of which nether of these are.)
- Fatnino 4y agoThe problem with whatever crop is getting exported is how much water is in it. So a Californian farmer grows a watermelon that when ripe contains, say, 3 liters of water in it. If that watermelon is then sold to China, 3 liters of water have been removed from California. If it's instead sold in Fresno, then that water remains in the California system.