UNESCO warns that «Nearly one-fifth (1.2 billion) of the world's population of 6 billion lives in areas facing water scarcity, and another quarter of the world's population (1.6 billion) faces water supply cuts (UN, 2005). Water scarcity represents for many countries the most pressing challenge for socioeconomic and human development in general.»
The problem of consumption of water reservoirs grows parallel to population growth and the misuse we make of a limited and essential asset for life. Therefore, educating in good manners and recognizing the importance of the essential liquid is something that coherence cannot overlook after and before taking restrictive measures. When we talk about superfluous expenses that can be avoided, about coherence, we overlook ideological issues and advocate for serious and responsible management. Other related issues, such as hoarding and business with drinking water, we will overlook for the moment.
But when we look at home, to the Canary Islands, we see different poles that move away from all coherence and responsible political exercise. For example, we can be satisfied when we see artificial turf installed in roundabouts of the most humid municipalities of the archipelago; while we have news of 24 golf courses in the Canary Islands, with the expense that this entails, in a land limited by the sea, where restrictions are about to fall on the human population of the Archipelago and already seriously harm agriculture and livestock.
It is estimated that a golf course in southern Europe requires 300,000 cubic meters of water per year: that is 300 million liters of water. If we multiply by 24 we will have a figure equivalent to 5% of the total expenditure of the Canary Islands in 2018, according to the Institute of Statistics. The worst thing is that the number of golf courses is expected to continue rising, while water will undoubtedly continue to decline. In addition, already in southern Europe, in Madrid (Spain) there are artificial turf golf courses where federated sport is practiced and the quality of a carpet that does not need water is praised. Wouldn't it be most reasonable to demand that the courses change to artificial turf, giving a reasonable deadline?
In the Spanish State, there are significant restrictions with water. We are not referring to the prohibition of filling swimming pools or washing cars, but to cuts in the supply to homes for many hours a day. Can't we really legislate on this expense when it is avoidable? And, on the other hand, do the golf gentlemen prefer not to take this step and wait for the restrictions to reach them and the courses dry up?
The tourism that these facilities attract may be important, but not more than the consumption of agriculture, livestock or human need. Therefore, the need to demand control and coherence from political managers is, in this case, something urgent and that should not be missed by the practitioners of this sport with residence in the Archipelago.
