Consumption of almond milk as an alternative to dairy milk has surged in recent years. It is estimated that the market for almond milk has surged by around 250 percent in the last five years.
Almond Milk
Many people choose almond milk for dietary or ethical reasons, but also because it has a smaller carbon footprint than dairy milk. However, almond milk comes with its own environmental challenges.
Almond Milk Production Concerns
The biggest concerns with almond milk production are water consumption and pesticide use, both of which have lasting effects on California’s environment. With over 80% of the world’s almonds grown in drought-stricken California, the demand for water is immense. It takes around 15 gallons of water to produce just 16 almonds, making it one of the most water-intensive crops.
With more than two billion almonds produced in California, the amount of water being diverted to sustain this industry is a growing environmental issue. As natural lands and low-water farms are converted into almond orchards, irrigation needs have increased dramatically. Over 23,000 acres of natural land, including 16,000 acres of wetlands, have been cleared to make way for almond farming. This has led to further depletion of groundwater, causing the land in the San Joaquin Valley to sink each year.
Farmers continue to drill additional wells to support their orchards, putting further strain on groundwater supplies—water that many Californians rely on for drinking. On top of this, pesticide use in almond farming contaminates water sources and affects the health of farming communities. The USDA Pesticide Data Program has found residues of nine different pesticides on almonds, five of which are toxic to honey bees, posing yet another environmental threat.
The Almond Board of California
The Almond Board of California is working to promote sustainable water use and improve efficiency, and more farmers are turning to organic methods. Organic almond farming reduces water use and eliminates pesticide contamination.
We can do our part by varying our choice of non-dairy milks, as each has its own benefits and environmental impact. Where possible, choosing certified organic almond milk ensures that fewer resources are wasted, and no pesticides are used. Every small choice adds up to a bigger impact.
Conclusion
While individually these choices seem small, cumulatively these decisions can and do have significant benefits. Manufacturers must do more in making sure they produce ethical foods and if they're not we must be more mindful on the products we buy and consume.
We all need to do more to protect our environment, not only for us now, but for our children and their children's futures. (Source: sustainability.ucsf.edu)
We have no choice other than to put the environment at the top or our personal agendas. This planet of ours is precious, but we now know its existence is not guaranteed.
If we, let alone our children and their children want to enjoy all this world has to offer, all of us, collectively and individually, need to do everything we can to make sure we look after it.
Unfortunately, we learn every day of the ways in which we are adversely affecting the delicate ecosystem and time really is running out.
Realisation that our eating habits, is an increasingly important aspect of how we are harming the planet.
Thank you. Yes,'realisation that our eating habits, is an increasingly important aspect of how we are harming the planet' - we must act on this.
We must take what scientists seriously. We're at a cross roads, what we do now will shape our future, our children's future and their children's future.
It is urgent. We must take action now to protect our environment.