Alcohol Action Ireland’s infographic highlights how alcohol production and consumption contribute to serious environmental problems. The alcohol industry drives the climate crisis by consuming huge amounts of water and energy, releasing greenhouse gases, and contributing to water and food insecurity around the world. For example, making just one pint of beer can use around 300 pints of water, and the emissions from regular beer drinking can rival driving hundreds of kilometers in a petrol car. The impact extends from increased pressure on food crops in Africa to water shortages from Capetown to Mexico.

The infographic also draws attention to the issue of “greenwashing” in the alcohol industry, where companies promote themselves as sustainable while continuing to damage the environment. Alcohol Action Ireland argues that this needs to be properly recognized and addressed. The message is clear: the environmental footprint of alcohol goes far beyond the bottle, affecting communities, resources, and the climate itself.

Find more from Alcohol Action Ireland (Ireland)