Drought in Canada
Jun 22, 2021
Even Canada Can Run Dry
By Hayley Cloona
While climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity
of drought worldwide, these conditions are exacerbated by many agricultural and social practices. Poor management of natural lands, soil degradation, and intensive livestocking significantly impact the Earth's natural hydrological cycle. Replacement of forests and grasslands with pasture or ranching units obliterates the soil's ability to store and recycle water. Widespread land-use change has occurred across Canada over the previous decades seeing natural prairie grasslands reduced by up to 80% of their original coverage.
The Canadian agricultural sector has suffered immensely from these drought conditions in previous years.
Widespread crop failures
promoting fodder and food shortages routinely headline the news across the Prairie provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba, where most Canadian cropping and animal husbandry occur. Drought conditions are now affecting the typically 'wet' British Columbia
with the potential to strain its infamous fruit and vegetable sector.
Water-intensive animal husbandry practices are the norm across the country. Each year the agricultural sector uses around 2.95 billion cubic meters of water; this equates to the amount of water that flows over Niagara Falls in two weeks! Adding fuel to the fire, the demand for food
is now growing annually. Over 60% of Canadians consume meat, and 93% consume dairy daily. Such diets, primarily based on animal products, require significant inputs of water to produce; for example, around 1,800 gallons of water
are needed to produce a single pound of beef.
The Canadian agricultural sector is asserting immense pressure on the country's already stressed water resources. As the population grows, the demand for animal products is expected to increase rapidly. As climate change accelerates, so too will the frequency and intensity of drought conditions. Under such conditions, Canada's agricultural sector will be unable to meet growing food demands, resulting in the already 1.2 million households living with food insecurity
to grow in the coming decade.
While some agricultural practices can alleviate the stress on natural water availability, reduced demand for traditionally produced animal protein is critical in mitigating the most severe impacts of drought. Generally speaking, cultivated meat is a good alternative
for those wishing to continue consuming animal protein while reducing their environmental footprint. This lab-produced alternative requires less water to produce while also emitting fewer greenhouse gas emissions.
The recently revised Canadian Food Guide
suggests consumers opt for plant-based proteins instead of animal-based proteins where possible. The replacement of meat and dairy with plant-based proteins and milk contributes positively to your family's health
while reducing agricultural influences on drought conditions and the environment as a whole. Currently, an estimated 1.6%
of Canadians exclude animal products from their diet, relying on plant protein such as legumes, nuts, and seeds.
Drought is set to become a regular feature of our future. The combination of damaged soils, deforestation, unpredictable weather patterns, increasing private and public consumption, and water-intensive animal husbandry has left the earth's natural water cycle severely damaged. We can not alter weather patterns or stop increasing water demand, but holistic stewardship of the land combined with stopping traditional animal meat production will ensure drought does not severely affect our daily lives in our new climate-challenged future.
You can be a part of the movement for change. Here at Reimagine Agriculture, we deeply care about reforming the Canadian political and educational systems to ensure a sustainable and food-secure future for everyone. Join our policy campaign and lend your voice in the fight against drought, animal maltreatment, and food insecurity in Canada.
This blog post is brought to you by friends of Reimagine Agriculture, Mercy For Animals.
Header Image Source: Antoine Maillard, New York Times By: Aleisha Pannozzo
By Nicole Gavigan, Education Specialist at Reimagine Agriculture
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Headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, Reimagine Agriculture acknowledges that we are on the traditional territory of many nations. Please read our full land acknowledgement here.