Forbes Mag Details Factory Farms’ Role in Water Shortage

The magazine reports that animal agriculture may be responsible for the unsustainable farming practices that are at the helm of US water shortages.


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Forbes magazine recently reported that the country’s impending water shortage could be curtailed if the American population reduced its meat consumption. The news source cited a study published this year in the journal Water Policy, which found that a key way to conserve the dwindling natural resource was to reduce wasteful agriculture practices through “changing crop types.” While the research did not point out what crops were the most wasteful, Forbes noted that the most heavily-irrigate states cultivate plants such as grains and corn that are used to feed livestock, and concluded that if animal agriculture was reduced, the water crisis would be partially abated. “A change of diet might not just be good for our ever larger bellies … [but] it might be the best way for us to save our valuable water resources,” notes the news source.