However, it should be noted that post-production emissionsfrom transporting almonds between California and everywhere else in the worldcan't be measured and are not included in the figure widely accepted as almonds' carbon footprint. This common practice is exceedingly harmful to the honey bees,1.6 million coloniesof which are transported to Central California each bloom season. Areported 1.6 million commercial coloniesare brought to the Central Valley for a pollination frenzy every bloom season. Hemingway was referring to a study that found it takes 1,611 US gallons, not litres, of water. Blue Diamond Almond Breeze Unsweetened Original Almond Milk. Manufacturers can label any bottle that can feasibly be recycled as recyclable. Naively, you might think that the compostable-plastic takeaway tub you ate your lunch from is easily compostable and that, if you dropped it into a food waste bin, in a few months some keen gardener will be scattering it on their allotment. To put almonds' water consumption further into perspective, one orange requires14 gallonsof water, a cup of coffee 35 gallons, one potato 100 gallons, a glass of dairy milk 48 gallons, and a half cup of tofu 61 gallons. One gallonof oat milk takes an estimated 13 gallons of water to produce, but that's just its embodied water contentnot including the water used to turn the oats into milk. National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Honeybee coloniesparticularly those of the Western honeybeehave been on the declinesince 2006, but commercial beekeepers reported a record loss during the winter of 2018-2019. A seven-ounce glass comes in at about 0.4 pounds of carbon dioxide. 11, 2015, pp. University of California San Francisco About UCSF Search UCSF UCSF Medical Center. While thanks to the effort of several individuals and organizations, the majority of the world's population is aware and concerned about climate change, only a very small part (<0.1%) know their carbon . Then, there's the matter of animal exploitation. Advice changes and responsible consumers need to stay abreast of that: Theres a lot of confusion about cod, but there are plentiful supplies of MSC-certified cod in the north-east Atlantic. The rush to ban plastic straws and the resulting outcry from disability campaigners (who, for various medical and practical reasons need plastic straws), crystallised how the social impact of green initiatives needs greater consideration. Yale School of the Environment, 2015. "Nitrates in Drinking Water and Methemoglobin Levels in Pregnancy: A Longitudinal Study." Solution: keep your use of outlandishly designed bottles to a minimum. Health Conditions. While the shift to plant-based alternatives bodes well for the environment, drinking milk, in general, is impactfulespecially if the milk you're drinking comes from a cow. By way of inspiration, here are some of the ways we get it wrong on ingredients, storage and recycling and a few surprisingly easy solutions. Daiber, Andreas and Thomas Munzel. Not all oats need these synthetic treatments to growas is proven by the Certified Organic labelbut chemicals are still ubiquitous in grain growing, and they pose serious risks to affected ecosystems. 1019-1029., doi:10.1111/jiec.12333. According to Mintel, an international market intelligence agency, almond milk accounted for64% of the nondairy milk market sharein the U.S., while soy and coconut milk accounted for 13% and 12% respectively. Thankfully, it's often used as livestock feed instead. "Methane: A Crucial Opportunity in the Climate Fight." Almonds, vilified during the current drought for being one of California's thirstier crops, have a surprisingly small carbon footprint compared to other nutrient-rich crops, reports a team of researchers at the University of California, Davis, and UC Agriculture and Natural Resources. To make matters worse, almond trees drop their leaves annually, and all the nitrogen stored in that organic material can be leached into soil and groundwaterespecially if it's hit with a sudden shower. The drive to plant almonds in California has seen production reach record levels this year. 6392, 2018, pp. "For things like almond milk, if you're really concerned about the climate, maybe that is something you want to drink in moderation," Waterman said. According to Gustins article, members of the National Milk Producers Federation do not approve of plant-based milks being labeled as milks, as they are using the positive nutritional branding of milk and using it for a product other than dairy milk, as the name was originally intended for. Naturally, water scarcity has also taken a toll on crops. Purchase non-GMO and USDA-certified organic almonds and almond milk whenever possible to reduce the use of toxic pesticides and fertilizers. If we are serious about eating green, we need to read beyond the headlines and think rigorously about how we apply ethical advice in our own lives. Consider buying shelf-stable milk to conserve energy from refrigeration. "But it's still less carbon intensive than cow's milk is." . Almond Milk, Dairy Milk, and Carbon Footprints: Freestyle Blog Post. Solution: of the dairy alternatives, oat milk is the most sustainable option, according to Hemingway. Producing a glass of dairy milk every day for a year requires 650 sq m (7,000 sq ft) of land, the equivalent of two tennis courts and more. Peanut consumption, on the other hand, far outweighs almond consumption in the U.S.2.26 pounds per capitaversus7.6 pounds per capitabut peanuts need less water to grow, about4.7 gallons per ounce. Compared to oats and all other crops used for nondairy milk, almonds require an astonishing amount of water. "California Almond Industry Facts." As a frequent consumer of almond milk (my personal favorite is Blue Diamond Almond Breeze Unsweetened Original Almond Milk, or on occasion their chocolate almond milk), I was interested in looking at how the carbon footprint of almond milk production and consumption compares to that of dairy milk. Purchasing a plant milk that comes . However, sustainability-wise it's often criticized for its colossal water footprint and the fact that almonds grow only in one very small part of the world, California. 96, pt. Solution: want to eat green on the go? "Honey Bees on the Move: From Pollination to Honey Production and Back." Grand View Research. e0204635., doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0204635. They've been known to tolerate soil pH levels as high as6.0 and as low as 4.5. That's roughly the same amount of water required by soybean, rice, and potato crops. Required fields are marked *. 113, no. USDA data from 2015 showed that fertilizers were applied to 76% of acres surveyed throughout the 13 top oat-producing states. "Oat Milk Edges Past Soymilk for #2 Slot in U.S. Plant-Based Milk Retail Market." International Food Information Service, 2020. This process is called crop rotation, which not only makes use of the land year-round (therefore eliminating the need to clearmoreland for agriculture) but has also been shown to improve the quality of the land. 3 according to mintel, an international market intelligence agency, almond milk accounted for 64% of. 3, 2019.. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0204635. 2018. This article was amended on 5 September 2018. "US Non-Dairy Milk Sales Grow 61% Over the Last 5 Years." "Exposure to Sublethal Concentrations of Methoxyfenozide Disrupts Honey Bee Colony Activity and Thermoregulation." What isn't included, however, is the emissions generated by the leftover pulp. Compare this to the global warming potential of plant-based milks, which, on . Blue Diamond's Almond Breeze is the leading almond milk brand in the U.S., generating$80 million morein sales than the second largest, Danone (producer of Silk). "Seasonal Guide to Environmentally Responsible Pest Management Practices in Almonds." Armstrong, Lewis. Herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides are used in large quantities just the same. The claim the Amazon is being destroyed for soy milk is a massive exaggeration. "Water-Indexed Benefits and Impacts of California Almonds." United States Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service. Featured. 10430-10435., doi:10.1073/pnas.1603481113. This product is dairy-free and lactose-free. Endangered Species They Now Sell Chocolate! We collaborate with Project Apis m to help honeybees thrive during and after almond bloom. Oats are inexpensive and generally considered sustainable. Breast Cancer; IBD ; Migraine; Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Rheumatoid Arthritis; Type 2 Diabetes; Sponsored Topics; Articles. It takes 1,611 US gallons to produce 1 litre of almond milk . Barley, oats, and wheat are all cool-season crops. Plus, almond treestemporarily store carbonthroughout their 30-year lifespans. In many ways, it is just another polluting plastic. 96, pt. United States Department of Agriculture, 2016. 314-318., doi:10.1126/science.aaz9600. In some areas, like land use and embodied carbon, oat and almond milk are neck and neck. Overall, I think the debate between the ecological and nutritional benefits of dairy milk and plant-based milks is very interesting. "2019 California Almond Acreage Report." "This carbon storage provides a climate benefit not considered in conventional carbon footprints." "This research doesn't respond directly to concerns about water consumption, but it does show that almond production in California has a light carbon footprint," said Reid Lifset, editor-in-chief of the Journal of Industrial Ecology. Almond Board of California, 2017. Almond Milk vs. Cow's Milk: Which Is More Environmentally Friendly? . California is not only the largest almond exporter on the planet, but it's also the sole source of the U.S.'s$6 billion almond industry. "Why Bees Matter: The Importance of Bees and Other Pollinators for Food and Agriculture." Broadly these activities include use of agricultural inputs such as fertilisers, fossil fuel for production of feed and fodder for animals, processing of concentrates in . Many street food vendors have switched to bioplastic which sounds like an ethical choice. Data from the United States Department of Agriculture shows that nondairy milk sales increased by 36% in 2020, whereas cow's milk salesdeclined by 12%. Almond orchards occupy 1.5 million acres inCalifornia's Central Valley, which is reportedly 14%of the state's irrigated farmland. In California, where80% of the world's almondsare grown, the ground has gradually sunk almost 30 feet over the past century due to depletion of underground aquifers. "Combined Toxicity of Insecticides and Fungicides Applied to California Almond Orchards to Honey Bee Larvae and Adults." 711-717., doi:10.1016/j.ecolind.2017.12.063. Sales of almond milk shot up by 250 percent between 2011 and 2016. Almond is a platform allowing individuals and businesses to understand, reduce, and offset their carbon footprint. 4 Carry cutlery in your bag. University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources. Almond milk appeals to the more health-conscious crowd because it contains only a third of the calories of oat milk, half the fat, and a half of the carbohydrates. Unlike other crops, the deciduous almond treeneeds an abundance of nitrogento renew and invigorate fruiting wood. Plant-based milks not only typically need less water than dairy, but they also have a smaller carbon footprint. "Almond Milk Market Size, Share." 1, 2019, pp. Research done by Life Cycle Associates mentioned in the article describes that the production of 1 liter of almond milk produces 396 grams of carbon dioxide, compared to 1,467 grams of carbon dioxide produced from 1 liter of dairy milk. Looking at land use, the difference is starker still. Still, it's important to understand how agricultural processes affect the planet. That said, almond milk shines in greenhouse emissions created. Almond milk remains the reigning champion of dairy-milk alternatives, accounting for a63% share. 60., doi:10.1186/1476-069X-9-60. Sales of bottled One Water were down 30,000 in the first half of this year at the University of Manchester. Coconut milk: 20. In South America, soy farming (mostly for animal feed), is driving deforestation and the destruction of Brazils Cerrado grasslands. Ideally, buy one made from recycled materials (eg Eco-Bottles), and use it. Of course, almond trees depend on honey bees for pollination. Simone-Finstrom, Michael, et al. 100ml of cow's milk will contain around 3.4 grams of protein, versus 0.5 grams in almond milk. Elizabeth MacLennan is a fact checker and expert on climate change. This chemical element is directly linked to production, and in an orchard environment, the trees typically receive it through fertilizers. California is also a major producer of beef. Almond farming generates slightly fewer greenhouse gas emissions than oat farminga kilogram of raw nuts generating a reported 1.6 kilograms carbon dioxide equivalent. In reality, says Friends of the Earths Emma Priestland, weirdly designed or coloured bottles are likely to be sifted out at recycling sites and will end up in landfill: Robinsons Fruit Shoot bottles are made of easily recycled Pet, but because [one version] is solid purple, its difficult to recycle. To make both oat and almond milk, the oats or almonds are soaked in water, blended, then strained to remove the pulp. It takes a bonkers 1,611 US gallons (6,098 litres) to produce 1 litre of almond milk, says the Sustainable Restaurant Associations Pete Hemingway. In 2017, the California Department of Pesticide Regulation reported that 34 million pounds of pesticides were usedon almond orchardsthat yearmore than used by any other crop in the state. The . One Water founder Duncan Goose says year-on-year growth continues but admits: Concern over single-use plastics is having an impact on our industry., Cooking in industrial food manufacturing is more efficient than cooking at home, which makes using pre-cooked rice or tinned chickpeas over dried an energy saver. I loved that post went into the ecological impact of nut milk versus traditional dairy milk. All of our products are allergen-free. In fact, put that compostable salad tub in a food waste bin and you actually create a problem. PLOS ONE, vol. "Peanut Per Capita Consumption Breaks New Record." They're relatively conservative on water usage because they don't lose a lot of moisture from heat like summer crops. "Irrigation Water Management: Irrigation Water Needs. Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with milk production arise from several activities that are involved in cradle-to-grave dairy supply chain. "Table 23." This company strives to reduce the carbon footprint and water waste that comes with prepackaged plant milks. Almond Board of California, 2016. "World Agricultural Production." "Groundwater, Rivers, Ecosystems and Conflicts." Is Climate Change Consuming Your Favorite Foods? Carbon footprint was calculated for 1 UHT drink per regular plant-based type and for 1 UHT semi-skimmed bovine milk. "Pollinators at a Crossroads." Scientific Reports, vol. Wolfram suggests choosing a variety that's fortified with calcium and Vitamin D. Coconut Milk Kiwi lamb is reared at such a low intensity that, even after shipping, it uses less energy. For rice drink only, a UHT product was available. What Is the Environmental Impact of Going Vegan? l'occitane almond milk concentrate. (Dont worry about the can: there is healthy demand for recycled steel.) Coconut Milk vs. Almond Milk: Which Is More Environmentally Friendly? According to Crystal Market Research, the US reusable water bottle market will be worth $9.62bn by 2023, up $3bn in a decade. "Greenhouse Gas Emissions From a Typical Passenger Vehicle." Stanford University. This has been corrected. But what people dont know is the environmental damage almond plantations are doing in California, and the water cost. "As California Almond Acreage Grows, Trees Bring Benefits to Agriculture, Environment, Community." Dairy milk takes twice as much water as almond milk. 1, 2019, pp. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Fifty billion bees,more than a third of the U.S.'s commercial colonies, died. "Rotations for Soil Fertility." United States Environmental Protection Agency. Water use is similarly higher for cow's milk: 628. All rights reserved. Cow's milk producers want the government to block almond, soy and other competitors from being called milk. Clingfilm can play an important role in that, says Hemingway. Weighing the environmental impacts of almond milk can be complexhere are some important factors to consider. By Georgina Gustin January. Look for the B Corp certification, which ensures the product meets the highest standards of sustainability and transparency. To measure the environmental impact of a type of milk, one must consider a multitude of factors: where the crop grows, how much space it requires, how much water it uses, its dependence on chemical substances, plus the emissions generated by farming it, its production, transporting it, and so forth. What little groundwater is left in Central California is being threatened not just by extraction for almond orchard irrigation but also by fertilizer pollution, which can spike drinking water with hazardous nitrate throughout the entire state. 711-717., doi:10.1016/j.ecolind.2017.12.063. "The Water Content of Things: How Much Water Does it Take to Grow a Hamburger?" Chapter 2: Crop Water Needs." U.S. Department of Agriculture, 2020. "Oats and Barley." Unlike cow's milk, plant-based milks inherently generate byproduct through the process of turning plants into beverages. Unnasch also noted pea and soybean . And people are choosing vegan milk alternatives for many reasonsnot least because of the lighter impact they have on the environment. "Almond Almanac 2019." I love almondmilk and use quite a lot of it throughout the week. 14, no. In comparison, the production of one liter of cow's milk produces 1,467 grams of carbon dioxide. Almond Board of California. This culture of monocropping provides no opportunity for ecological balance or biodiversity. in 2018, the global market size of almond milk was estimated at more than $5 billion. Insects, vol. I was reading up on it and found that oats require even less water to grow. Londons Spring restaurant, for instance, was using 3,600km of clingfilm a year. Almond Board of California, 2019, p. 43. The term almond milk refers to a plant milk made from ground almonds and water filtered with salt. http://www.almonds.com/sustainability#water. "The UK's footprint of milk production has been placed at 1.25kg per litre, making the UK amongst the world's best in sustainable milk production," says Dairy UK CEO Dr Judith Bryans. "Colony Collapse Disorder." "Migratory Management and Environmental Conditions Affect Lifespan and Oxidative Stress in Honey Bees." As a crop, oats requirebetween 17 and 26 inches of waterper growing season, with one growing season lasting four to five months. But, reports from SoDelicious, a manufacturer of almond and coconut milk products, have proclaimed that farmers have been working hard to reduce the amount of water needed to grow almonds and produce almond milk. Now it uses beeswax wrapping. That is highly unlikely. Solution: if you want to regularly slam in the lamb, look down under. But One Water is no ordinary bottled water: the company is carbon neutral and its profits fund clean-water projects in the developing world (17.4m so far). The bad news is that almonds sold in the U.S. are generally grown in California, whereas other crops, such as dairy and oats, have a wider distribution and can be sourced more locally. What's particularly great about growing oats is that the land can be used for other crops when oats are not in season. Pesticides and insecticides that have been freshly sprayed on the treesthreaten the healthof these crucial pollinators whose populations are alreadyin steep decline. Solution: choose tofu brands (eg Taifun) that source super low-carbon European or US soy. "Groundwater Information Sheet: Nitrate." Mintel, 2018. "Summary of Pesticide Use Report Data 2017." Journal of Industrial Ecology, vol. The trees that produce these nutlike seeds need about 36 inches (twice the amount oats need)per season. Oat Milk vs. Cow's Milk: Which Is More Environmentally Friendly? "2019 California Almond Acreage Report." Another great benefit of oats is that they can grow in a range of environments and soil types. However,. The DAIRY PRIDE was also brought before Congress, which would enforce stricter regulations on what products could be labeled as milks. Research done by Life Cycle Associates mentioned in the article describes that the production of 1 liter of almond milk produces 396 grams of carbon dioxide, compared to 1,467 grams of carbon dioxide produced from 1 liter of dairy milk. California Department of Food and Agriculture, 2020. The Water Content of Things: How Much Water Does it Take to Grow a Hamburger? An earlier version quoted Pete Hemingway as saying to make 1 litre of almond milk, it takes 1,611 litres of water. In terms of combatting immediate environmental pollution, the 5p plastic bag charge has been a huge success. Wade, Andrea, et al. United States Geological Survey. "Relative Toxicities of Pesticides Used in Almonds to Natural Enemies and Honey Bees." That almond orchards are so geographically concentrated means the product must also travel great distances, generating more greenhouse gas emissions. Make your own almond milk from organic almonds (bonus points for buying them in bulk to evade plastic waste) when possible. Almond milk has lower greenhouse gas emissions and uses less land than soy, for example, but requires more. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. U.S. Department of Agriculture, 2013. You can become a more sustainable nondairy milk consumer by buying Certified Organic and making sure the ingredients in your milk are ethically sourced. When is Pollinating Almond Actually Profitable for Beekeepers? "Seasonal Guide to Environmentally Responsible Pest Management Practices in Almonds." While the process is essential to modern-day food production, it's been criticized for putting immense stress on the bees, which would normally spend the winter resting if they were in nature. We fully support One Water, says Alexander Clark, an environmental coordinator at the university. The European Pet Bottle Platform, which advises the bottling industry on design, recommends the use of clear Pet if possible. Poore, J. and T. Nemecek. Research by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations has shown that low-fat milk options are. Russia is the world's leading oat producer, followed by Canada, Australia, the U.K., Brazil, the U.S., Argentina and China. As opposed to green water, which comes from rain, blue water comes from rivers and groundwater reservoirs. The dairy industry is responsible for 4% of all total greenhouse gas emissions caused by humans, according to Georgina Gustin of Inside Climate News. Your email address will not be published. She holds a degree in Journalism from Ohio University. Packaging is another important factor. From cod to clingfilm, the advice were given can often be confusing. Because almond trees are particularly susceptible to bloom and foliar diseases, they are often sprayedwhen they are in bloom. If sent to a landfill, this pulp will produce methane, a greenhouse gas80 times worsethan carbon dioxide, as it rots. 23, no. Solution: keys, phone, purse/wallet, water bottle make it part of your daily routine, With fish, terms such as local, day-boat and line-caught are now seen by many consumers as a guarantee of sustainability. "Organic Nitrate Therapy, Nitrate Tolerance, and Nitrate-Induced Endothelial Dysfunction: Emphasis on Redox Biology and Oxidative Stress." "Leading Refrigerated Almond Milk Brands in the United States in 2020, Based on Dollar Sales." An organic cotton tote must be used 149 times to be in credit. Grass Fed vs. Chapter 2: Crop Water Needs, Water-Indexed Benefits and Impacts of California Almonds, Methane: A Crucial Opportunity in the Climate Fight, 2015 Agricultural Chemical Use Survey: Oats, Groundwater, Rivers, Ecosystems and Conflicts, As California Almond Acreage Grows, Trees Bring Benefits to Agriculture, Environment, Community, Life Cyclebased Assessment of Energy Use and Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Almond Production, Part II: Uncertainty Analysis through Sensitivity Analysis and Scenario Testing, The Other Side of Almonds: A Light Carbon Footprint, Summary of Pesticide Use Report Data - 2017, Exposure to Sublethal Concentrations of Methoxyfenozide Disrupts Honey Bee Colony Activity and Thermoregulation, Seasonal Guide to Environmentally Responsible Pest Management Practices in Almonds, Migratory Management and Environmental Conditions Affect Lifespan and Oxidative Stress in Honey Bees, Why Bees Matter: The Importance of Bees and Other Pollinators for Food and Agriculture, Declining Bee Populations Pose Threat to Global Food Security and Nutrition. Almond milk, although positioned as an eco-friendly alternative to cow's milk, gets a lot of flak for being bad for the environment. The beauty of oat milk is that its namesake cereal grain grows all around the world, from Russia to Australia, from Canada to Spain. Yale University's School of the Environment says almond farming even has the potential to be carbon-neutral or carbon-negative because the coproducts of the almond industry (husks, shells, etc.) "FAO's Global Action on Pollination Services for Sustainable Agriculture." In the case of cow's milk, its global warming potential measured as kilogram of carbon dioxide equivalent per litre of milk varies between 1.14 in Australia and New Zealand to 2.50 in Africa. By 2020, though, it had become the second most popular type of milk alternative. "California's Almond Trade Is Exploiting One of Nature's Most Essential Workers." And because they only grow in hot, low-humidity environments, much of that water is "blue." One of the most interesting parts of the almond milk versus dairy milk debate is whether or not almond milk (and other plant-based milks) should even be able to be labeled and sold as milks. Statista. Ecological Indicators, vol. Research done by Life Cycle Associates mentioned in the article describes that the production of 1 liter of almond milk produces 396 grams of carbon dioxide, compared to 1,467 grams of carbon dioxide produced from 1 liter of dairy milk. Here's how the calories compare in 100ml of various milks, in ascending order: Unsweetened almond milk: 13. About75% of the world's food cropsrequire pollination, and almond orchards put extra stress on pollinators because it wakes honey bees from their winter dormancy two months early to pollinate while the trees are in bloom. Food Navigator, 2020. High levels of nitrate in drinking water (i.e., over the Environmental Protection Agency's standard of 10 milligrams per liter) are especially dangerous forinfants and pregnant women. Minimal Carbon footprint, up to a 96% reduction in packaging used per pale; Benefits of the almond: high . The good news is that almond trees can store carbon dioxide as they grow. While Gustin does note that the dairy industry plans to make efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by the year 2020, the production and consumption of dairy milk has a significantly larger carbon footprint than almond milk. Trying to decide between oat milk and almond milk for your latte? 12019/Pixabay Dairy milk is typically 3.5 times more emissions-intensive than alternative milks. According to the federation, plant-based milk manufacturers are unfairly capitalizing on this. The Ethics of Small Animal Agriculture. Chinook salmon has been one of the greatest casualties. Both release huge amounts of carbon dioxide and are a biodiversity disaster, says Dr John Kazer, footprint certification manager at the Carbon Trust. To those who claim that drinking almond milk is the answer to saving the environment, critics remind them that the production of almond milk uses a very large quantity of water. According to the magazine Mother Jones, it takes 1.1 gallons of water to produce 1 almond! The Numilk Home machine works similarly to a coffee maker. Post-Blue Planet II, professional kitchens are all #chefsagainstplastic. Growing them is good for the soil and requires few resources compared to growing other grains. 368, no. "San Joaquin Valley Is Still Sinking." "When is Pollinating Almond Actually Profitable for Beekeepers?" They are not, says Clark, who points to overfishing of sea bass as an example of what happens when fishing is not rigorously scrutinised by a third party, such as MSC: Sustainability has to encompass fish stocks, their management and environmental impact., Solution: stick to fish objectively certified as sustainable. California Department of Pesticide Regulation, 2017. Every liter of cow's milk uses 8.9 square meters per year, compared to 0.8 for oat, 0.7 for soy, 0.5 for almond and 0.3 for rice milk. "If you just make pea milk the way. 6, 2015, pp. Overall, that's good news in terms of climate impact, because no matter the main ingredient, plant milks have a much lower carbon footprint compared with dairy milk. Bond, Jennifer K., et al. California's Almond Trade Is Exploiting One of Nature's Most Essential Workers, Honey Bees on the Move: From Pollination to Honey Production and Back, Fast Facts on Transportation Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Land-Use Change Reduces Habitat Suitability for Supporting Managed Honey Bee Colonies in the Northern Great Plains. "The Other Side of Almonds: A Light Carbon Footprint." Science, vol. U.S. Department of Agriculture. Fantastic, you may think. If separated, opaque colours can be recycled by chemical recycling, but that increases the cost, effort and energy required, she says. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, vol. Consumer Product Analysis- Neutrogenas Oil-Free Acne Wash Pink Grapefruit Foaming Scrub, Winner of the Goldman Environmental Prize (blog #6), Save Sundarbans, a World Heritage site, the worlds largest mangrove forest from Rampal Coal Plant. Just one seed needs a reported3.2 gallonsto reach milk-level maturity, and nearly 1,300 gallons are needed to grow a pound. "But what people don't know is the environmental damage almond. Carbon footprint Kilogram / Protein / Calories Per kilogram By stage of supply chain Greenhouse gas emissions per kilogram of food Emissions are measured in carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2eq). About 91% of Norways catch is certified.. "Plant-Based Products Replacing Cow's Milk, But the Impact Is Small." Fantastic post, Elena! Sustainability - UCSF Campus Life Services. The state employs60% of all the managed honeybee hivesin the country just for almond pollinating each winter. "Treading Lightly: The Water Footprint of Peanuts." THE TAKEAWAY. News articles and events posted prior to July 1, 2020 refer to the School's name at that time. Since it requires less water, I might see how I can purchase it for everyday use. An example for 6488, 2020, pp. A 2018 study estimates dairy to be around three times more greenhouse gas emission-intensive than plant-based milks. Youve probably heard that the production of California almonds requires an immense amount of water about a gallon per almond. Is Honey Vegan? According to the California Department of Pesticide Regulation,almond orchardswere treated with more pesticides than any other local crop in 2017. To make any dairy-milk alternative, water is mixed with a main ingredient (be it a grain, legume, or nut) to liquidize it. Environmental Protection Agency. 32023., doi:10.1038/srep32023. Pre-shipping, the carbon created by a litre of semi-skimmed (1.67kg) is far higher than that of almond milk (360g). As for the plastic waste, there is a robust market in recycled Pet bottles. Almond Board of California. Miekle, William G., et al. The claim that almond milk takes 20x the water compared to dairy is false. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 2018. It Takes How Much Water to Grow an Almond?! Herbicides were applied to 51% of planted acres, fungicides to 9%, andinsecticides to 4%. "Grain: World Markets and Trade." Marvinney, Elias, et al. If youre serious about eating green, here are some straightforward solutions. If there is a lot of packaging, then they wont be able to accept the waste, but this doesnt happen very often.. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 2019. This figure factors in the emissions generated from farming the oat, harvesting it, and processing it into oat milk. The carbon footprint of almondmilk is 78% less than that of dairy milk. Popular crops like walnuts, hazelnuts, and pistachios drink just as muchsometimes more, evenbut the almond industry receives more criticism because almonds are in higher demand. Acid Reflux; Though the U.S. still sources some of its oats from Asia, South America, and Europe, more than half the oats Americans consume every year are grown onNorth American soil. Tinned chickpeas should not be a cause for concern. Dairy milk tends to be higher in calories, and importantly, contains more protein. "Exposure to Sublethal Concentrations of Methoxyfenozide Disrupts Honey Bee Colony Activity and Thermoregulation." That would mean the seeds travel 3,000 miles from the Central Valley to the opposite end of the countrya distance that would cost the average car about 2,670 pounds of CO2 emissions,based on EPA estimatesthen across the countryagainfor distribution. Another consideration: While oats can thrive in a range of conditions all over the world, almondsmustgrow in a very specific environment. American Bee Journal, 2019. Antioxidants & Redox Signaling, vol. Finally, hemp milk contains more protein than almond or oat but less than soy or pea; it also delivers healthy fats. Imported New Zealand lamb has a lower carbon footprint than British lamb, concluded a 2009 report for Defra. In addition to the emissions generated from transporting almonds to the milk processing facility and to retailers around the country, those generated from hauling 1.5 million honeybee colonies on tractor-trailers should also be considered. Save California Salmon. This study will also be looking at the potential that these two milk have at making a difference in decreasing the greenhouse gas created by traditional electricity . Water use is similarly higher for cow's milk: 628. It is mainly being destroyed for soy for livestock to consume as well as cattle farms for beef. The industry is worth $1.5 billion and grew by about 13% in 2021. Land use 0 m 4 m 6 m 8 m Dairy milk 8.95 m Oat milk 0.76 m Soy milk 0.66 m Almond milk 0.5 m Rice milk 0.34 m Greenhouse gas emissions 0 kg 1 kg 2 kg 3 kg Dairy milk 3.15 kg Rice milk 1.18 kg Soy milk 0.98 kg Oat milk 0.9 kg Almond milk 0.7 kg Freshwater use 0 L 200 L 400 L 600 L Dairy milk 628.2 L Almond milk 371.46 L Rice . This means non-CO2 gases are weighted by the amount of warming they cause over a 100-year timescale. Does your lamb come from a land down under? This article explores the differences, benefits, downsides, and nutrition of both these plant-based milks. Hemp, as a crop, is well-known for its sustainability, and its seeds are a nutritious base for milk. Only1,123 adult winterChinook salmon were counted in Sacramento Valley, less than 1% than the number of returning salmon during the 1960s. Copyright 2021, Yale University. "Beverages, Almond Milk, Unsweetened, Shelf Stable." 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