About 80% of the world’s almonds come from California, a state that regularly faces severe droughts. Giant almond orchards blanket the Central Valley, sucking up groundwater at an alarming rate.
This intensive irrigation has literally caused the ground to sink in some areas—a phenomenon known as subsidence. Roads crack, canals buckle, and the whole infrastructure groans under the weight of our almond consumption.
And it’s not just a local issue. The energy required to pump and transport that water contributes to a hefty carbon footprint. Your morning almond latte has a secret: it’s kind of a carbon cow.
