Because the numbers are an order of magnitude different? [0] Water needed to produce 4 oz of soy beans: 64 gallons Water needed to produce 4 oz of beef: 463 g

Because the numbers are an order of magnitude different? [0] Water needed to produce 4 oz of soy beans: 64 gallons Water needed to produce 4 oz of beef: 463 gallons Your points about the carbon cycle are well-taken but you're ignoring the trophic pyramid for some reason. [1] Or at least I find it hard to believe you could know about one without knowing about the other. [0] https://watercalculator.org/water-footprint-of-food-guide/ https://watercalculator.org/water-footprint-of-food-guide/ [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecological_pyramid https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecological_pyramid