Water is a precious resource that we all depend on for survival. Unfortunately, the overuse of water by Saudi-owned businesses in Arizona is causing significant damage to the state’s water supply and ecosystem.
Arizona is a state that is particularly vulnerable to water scarcity. The state relies on the Colorado River for much of its water supply, but the river has been facing significant depletion in recent years due to climate change and overuse. This has led to a reduction in water availability for Arizona residents and farmers.
Despite this, Saudi-owned businesses have been using an excessive amount of water in the state. One such business is the Almarai Company, which is the world’s largest dairy company and has significant operations in Arizona. The company operates massive dairy farms that require a vast amount of water to maintain.
These dairy farms use a significant amount of water to irrigate the crops that feed the cows, to provide drinking water for the cows, and to clean the facilities. The water used by these farms has a significant impact on the state’s water supply. The water table in the area has been declining rapidly, and the farms are contributing to the depletion of the Colorado River.
The overuse of water by Saudi-owned businesses in Arizona is also having a significant impact on the state’s ecosystem. The reduction in water availability has led to the drying up of rivers and streams in the area, which has had a devastating effect on the state’s wildlife. Fish, birds, and other species that rely on these water sources are being pushed to the brink of extinction.
Moreover, the excessive use of water by these businesses is also contributing to the state’s greenhouse gas emissions. The energy required to pump and transport the water to these businesses is a significant source of carbon emissions, which exacerbates climate change.
It is not just Almarai that is responsible for the overuse of water in Arizona. Other Saudi-owned businesses, such as Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Ma’aden) and Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC), also have significant operations in the state that require a vast amount of water.
The overuse of water by these companies is particularly concerning given the precarious state of Arizona’s water supply. As the climate crisis continues to worsen, water scarcity will become an even more significant issue in the state, and the overuse of water by these companies will exacerbate the problem.
It is time for the Arizona government to take action to address this issue. The state must regulate the amount of water that these companies are allowed to use and ensure that they are not contributing to the depletion of the Colorado River. The government should also incentivize these companies to use more sustainable water practices, such as adopting drip irrigation technology, which uses water more efficiently.
Overuse of water by Saudi-owned businesses in Arizona is a serious issue that must be addressed. The depletion of the state’s water supply and ecosystem must be stopped before it’s too late. The Arizona government should take swift action to regulate the amount of water that these companies are allowed to use and incentivize them to adopt more sustainable water practices. We all have a responsibility to protect our planet’s resources, and we cannot let the overuse of water by these companies go unchecked.
Thank you
Retired Colonel Kirk Ostergard – Scottsdale