Much of the world is currently suffering from severe drought which contributes to food, health and fire problems among others.

Back in 2007 United Nations Environmental Programme warned that by 2025 1.8 Billion would be living in “absolute water scarcity” and two thirds in water stressed conditions.

Veg Climate Alliance, an umbrella group for environmental, health, animal rights and other organizations, has issued a statement calling for a major societal shift to plant-based diets in order to avoid large scale water problems.

This week sees international cooperation on the issue of water at the Stockholm World Water Week, August 16-22 ‘09. The discussion will hinge on “responding to global change”.

The two main global changes that are currently affecting water availability are the exponential increases in meat production and changes in weather patterns associated with climate change.

Environmental agencies are slow to admit the first problem though because of fears alienating the public. They refer to the issue as ‘changing diets’.

Global meat production has doubled in 50 years and is forecasted to double again in another 40. Raising, slaughtering and processing animals along with their feed is a process that uses phenomenal amounts of water, in some countries more than half the available fresh water.

Beef can use up to almost 55,000 litres of fresh water a kilogram, more than in most backyard pools. Producing nutrition equivalent plant-based protein uses at most a single figure percent of that amount. Other animal products also use water heavily although beef is by far the worst.

On the other side of things, changes to the global climate are affecting rainfall. In many areas it comes less frequently but heavier and dangerously damaging when it does. This leads to drought and flood, but little in between.

Meat production also contributes directly to the problem of climate change through adding a quarter of all anthropogenic greenhouse gas into the atmosphere (in Australia).

A ready solution to the water crisis is available to all. Reduce or eliminate animal product consumption, especially beef.