To the editor: This text explores how policymakers could divide a shrinking water provide, nevertheless it overlooks a central driver of the continued disaster (“Trump administration proposes Colorado River choices that might hit California laborious,” Jan. 9).
The vast majority of the water within the Colorado River basin — greater than 1 trillion gallons — is used to develop feed for livestock. This straight hyperlinks the area’s water shortages to elevated ranges of meat and dairy consumption. With out acknowledging this actuality, discussions about water cuts threat lacking some of the efficient methods to scale back pressure on the basin.
Because the grandson of a cattle rancher, I worth the function agriculture performs in feeding individuals and sustaining rural communities. I additionally consider that increasing choices for climate-resilient crops and different proteins — together with plant-based and fermentation-derived meals — can considerably cut back the pressure on our nation’s restricted water provide whereas creating new and worthwhile markets for farmers and meals firms.
For California, this strategy presents a sensible solution to shield the Colorado River basin whereas strengthening the state’s agricultural economic system.
Matt Hotze, Houston
This author is senior director of science and expertise at Good Meals Institute, a nonprofit suppose tank selling different proteins.
