779: Almonds | Skeptical Sunday

Water Use

Almond farming is notorious for its excessive water consumption, particularly in California, where 100% of U.S. almonds are grown. This water-intensive crop demands up to three gallons of water per almond, exacerbating water shortages in a state already plagued by droughts. David C. Smalley highlights the irony of diverting water from low-income areas to sustain almond farms, leading to environmental issues such as salmon dying from gill rot due to reduced water levels 1.

Almonds are healthy for you but it's kind of not worth it if it wrecks the entire environment.

--- Jordan Harbinger

The environmental cost of almonds raises questions about their sustainability despite their nutritional benefits 2.

   

Wildlife Impact

The impact of almond farming extends beyond water usage, significantly affecting wildlife, particularly bees and salmon. David C. Smalley explains that almond farms heavily use pesticides, which are detrimental to bees, leading to millions of bee deaths annually 3. This practice not only harms bees but also disrupts their natural hibernation cycles, forcing them to pollinate crops prematurely.

The bees and the almond groves are being exploited and disrespected. They're in severe decline because our human relationship to them has become so destructive.

--- Patrick Pynes

Additionally, water diversion for almond farming threatens salmon populations, as seen in the Klamath River, where low water levels have led to increased salmon mortality 1.