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submitted 3 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
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[-] [email protected] 103 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago)

Wouldn't this be a good thing for the fresh water supply in the US if the US stopped exporting alfalfa.

Sure, I didn't read this article, so I'm just going off all the previous years of articles about how much fresh water this is using. And I've never researched the downstream effects of cattle in the middle east becoming more expensive.

[-] [email protected] 98 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago)

Answer:

  • The water-intensive farming is absolutely fucking the ecology of the American southwest in a way that's effectively irreversible on human timescales.
  • The money being generated by this farming is going to a select few completely undeserving, morally bankrupt people who know the damage they're doing and are hoarding swathes of land and water rights they were given for effectively nothing generations ago.
  • This alfalfa is then shipped internationally to Saudi Arabia literally halfway across the world, generating greenhouse gas emissions and other forms of pollution.
  • This alfalfa is then used to grow cattle, meaning that value is being extracted from the US – at a meager cost compared to the externalities we bear – and given to the theocratic shithole whose entire economy is based on destroying the planet that is Saudi Arabia.
  • Edit: the cows produce a bunch of methane over their lifetime.
  • The cows are then brutally murdered for food despite extensive evidence that cows can feel pain and do feel emotions like fear.
  • This cow meat is then fed to people despite the fact that 1) red meat is a class 2a carcinogen (and frankly in light of evidence that vegetarian and vegan diets reduce risks of certain cancers by double-digit percentages, we're all just waiting until it's confirmed rather than heavily suspected as a carcinogen), 2) it substantially increases the risk of heart disease, and 3) it elevates the risk for diabetes when compared to plant-based foods which are cheaper and less resource-intensive to create.

It's a benefit to essentially everyone if alfalfa farming becomes less profitable. The entire chain from water to cow meat is unjust, cruel, and otherwise fucking terrible.

[-] [email protected] 32 points 3 months ago

Good answer. (Not sarcasm)

[-] [email protected] 5 points 3 months ago

Just wanted to say I've had you marked with notes before as someone really good with your research, but each time I see your longer answers I make sure to take the time to read it. Really appreciate the knowledge transfer on a lot of your posts, please don't stop!

[-] [email protected] -4 points 3 months ago

It would would have been cool if you'd left out the vegan propaganda

[-] [email protected] 12 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago)

So, caring about the environment = cool

But caring about animals, which are inextricably a part of the environment (a link which can be demonstrated by the pollution produced by industrial farming) = not cool?

Seems an odd place to draw the line, but ok.

[-] [email protected] 1 points 3 months ago

Half the circle of life is animals dying bud

[-] [email protected] 10 points 3 months ago

It's all about balance. Factory farms are not balanced. Eating meat isn't evil (in my opinion) but factory farming absolutely is.

[-] [email protected] 1 points 2 months ago

and? are you really going to use "but they're doing it!" as the justification? if everyone around you is kicking people with freckles will you join in just because?

"it's natural" is a complete non-sequiteur, it has 0 bearing on whether or not we should do it.

[-] [email protected] 5 points 3 months ago

RFK jr has plans to fix the fresh water supply situation.

[-] [email protected] 15 points 3 months ago

RFK jr has plans to ~~fix~~ monetize the fresh water supply situation.

[-] [email protected] 9 points 3 months ago

I'm sure his fix is either "a bit of saltwater is okay" or "we need electrolytes, it's what plants crave" with a smattering of "water? Like from the toilet?"

[-] [email protected] 2 points 2 months ago

those are the temporary solutions, until he can finish the demonic summoning circle in wyoming and strike a deal with satan for endless fresh water.

Of course, his own soul is worth about 15 pennies, so american citizens will kindly donate theirs instead!

this post was submitted on 21 Apr 2025
379 points (99.5% liked)

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