ABC Rural have posted an article about futurist Marcus Barber’s conclusion that the world is facing serious ongoing water shortages, and that part of the solution is to become vegetarian or mostly-vegetarian.

Marcus Barber has a Master of Science in Strategic Foresight, and is a particularly interested in water and food production. He has several related articles on his website, Looking Up, Feeling Good – lufg.com.au. He has published a more in-depth article here: “No mere Drop in the Ocean: How geographical biases and financial resources prevent and promote specific societal strategies for approaches to water management”.

ABC Article, 12/04/2010:

Marcus Barber

A recent Federal Treasury Intergenerational Report forecasts our population could exceed 35 million by 2050.

Marcus Barber analyses water use trends around the world.

He predicts people will be eating less meat and more plant foods if climate change tightens water supplies.

“So if we talk about some of the meat-based protein, the amount of water feed to grow a kilo of beef might be something that comes up for question, and those beef producers who can produce an amount with far less water will be well placed,” he says.

“But outside that, you talk about people talking about plant-based proteins where you can feed far more people with far less water, so there’s going to be some interesting dynamics and challenges going forward.”

ABC article can be found here.

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