Water

Water is indeed a precious resource which we need to preserve and protect for human survival. Entire civilisations have disappeared due to water shortage. There have been predictions that countries will go to war for a share of water resources. However, it is not increased water consumption among human beings that is a problem. The biggest waste of water comes from the billions of animals raised for meat. Almost 40% of the world’s fresh water resources are used up in raising almost 85 billion animals every year. Add to that the amount of water used up to grow crops to feed the animals. Over-grazing spreads deserts which reduces rainfall and the massive clearing of rainforests in South America for cattle ranching is already impacting countries with reduced rainfall, an example being the US state of California. Our planet simply does not have the resources to support 6.5 billion human beings (which will grow to 9.5 billion by 2050) as well as those animals. A plant-based vegetarian and vegan diet is of vital importance for future generations.

Nitin Mehta
London