Want to reduce the carbon footprint of your food? Focus on choice vs local

I believe many people are really wanting improve their environmental impact and thus unfortunately carbon footprint is not a good enough proxy.

Water use and water pollution are just two factors that are probably more significant, and have a broader, faster impact on biodiversity.

For example: Growing 1 almond (a low emission nut) uses about a gallon of water.

Dairy cattle have a terrible impact on waterways with run-off and animal wallowing.

The first chart is eye opening. Moving from beef to pork is a much bigger win than "eat locally".

It seems only logical that (a) growing plants to eat them is more efficient than (b) bringing an animal into existence, feeding the animal with said plants and then eating the animal.

So (b) is more polluting and more cruel than (a). It might be time to wonder if it is worth it.