Water consumption of beef: How much thirst is on the plate?

When we think of water consumption, most people think of dripping faucets or long showers. But the real water guzzler is often in the kitchen—or more precisely, on our plates. Beef, in particular, is repeatedly criticized when it comes to its environmental impact. But how big is the water footprint of a steak really?

👉 In an article worth reading at Der Pragmaticus , the water consumption of cattle is examined in more detail:
🔗 Read the article: “Beef is not the problem”

15,000 liters for one kilo of meat?

This figure has been circulating in the media and discussions for years: Around 15,000 liters of water are supposedly needed to produce one kilogram of beef. But what's behind this figure—and how meaningful is it?

According to the article in Pragmaticus, the calculation is more complex than it seems. The majority of this water is so-called "green water" – rainwater that falls on pastures and makes the grass grow. A natural cycle that cannot simply be equated with industrial water consumption.

Not all water is the same

The article clearly distinguishes between:

• Green water: rainwater that falls naturally anyway.

• Blue water: Fresh water from lakes, rivers or groundwater that is actively extracted.

• Grey water: Water needed to dilute pollutants.

What is crucial is not only the quantity but also the type of water that goes into production.

Regional, extensive, sensible?

Cattle farming is not automatically harmful to the environment. Extensive grazing , in particular—where animals graze on natural land unsuitable for agriculture—utilizes resources that would otherwise lie fallow. And it can even contribute to climate protection , for example, by preserving grassland that stores CO₂.

What does this mean for our consumption?

Of course, meat consumption remains more resource-intensive than a plant-based diet. But those who consume consciously , pay attention to the origin and farming of their food , and don't take meat for granted at every meal can significantly reduce their ecological footprint.

Because, as is so often the case, it is not the cow that is the problem – but how and how much of it we eat.

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