California's drought is crippling and ongoing, prompting a rise in the conservation efforts of many eco-conscious individuals. However, this problem is going to need a much bigger fix than being mindful of how long the tap is left running.
A whopping 80% of California's water goes towards its agricultural production. This insightful infographic, created by the LA times, illustrates just how much water goes into producing the food on our plates. The average amount of water used per meal? A remarkable 968 gallons. Items such as steak require the most water to produce. Why? The majority of the livestock we consume are raised on industrial feedlots, where water runs through a less-than-sustainable irrigation system to maintain the animals' grain diet (as opposed to grass).
Overall, this infographic offers a new way of assessing California's drought, as well as the production systems we currently use in the agriculture industry.
Agricultural Water Infographics
This Interactive Looks at California's Drought from Another Angle
Trend Themes
1. Conservation Efforts - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop innovative technologies and practices to conserve water in agricultural production, reducing the overall water usage.
2. Sustainable Agriculture - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Explore alternative farming techniques that minimize water usage and promote sustainability, such as hydroponics or vertical farming.
3. Water Footprint Awareness - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Create educational initiatives and technologies to raise awareness about the significant amount of water required to produce different types of food.
Industry Implications
1. Irrigation Systems - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop smart irrigation systems that optimize water usage in agriculture by incorporating sensors and data analytics to determine precise watering needs.
2. Food Production - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Invest in research and development of sustainable and efficient food production methods to reduce water consumption and minimize the impact on water resources.
3. Technology and Education - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Create technological solutions and educational platforms to promote water conservation practices in the agricultural sector, leveraging data analytics and remote sensing technologies.