March 22 marks World Water Day — a global observance dedicated to raising awareness for the world's current water crisis.
With an apropos theme for 2019 of "Leaving no one behind," World Water Day aims to address the more than 2 billion people around the world that lack access to clean water.
There are numerous ways in which you can help save water — such as by taking shorter showers, by not running the water when you brush your teeth, and by turning off the tap while you wash your hands. But did you know going vegan is another phenomenal way to cut back on water usage?! Here's why:
The production of meat is incredibly water-intensive
According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), it takes nearly 2,000 gallons of water to produce 1 pound of beef! The production of meat products generally requires a larger amount of water than crop products. By ditching meat products, the average person would save approximately 162,486 gallons of water annually!
Dairy production also has a large water footprint
Due to the fact water is needed for cleaning dairy facilities, for feed, and for keeping dairy cows hydrated, the production of dairy requires substantially more water than plant-based alternatives. Here's a helpful comparison:
In addition to saving countless animals' lives — by ditching meat and dairy in favor of a plant-based diet you can save approximately 1,100 gallons of water each day!
Click here for more information on transitioning to a vegan diet.