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We are literally exporting water when we grow these.

• bittercynic 4y ago
  s/literally/effectively
• tzs 4y ago
  ...in the same sense that we are literally importing water whenever anyone buys a computer (~400 gallons), a phone (~200 gallons), a polyester shirt (~3500 gallons), or a pair of jeans (~1800 gallons) not made locally. I.e., not at all. Most of the water used to make those things doesn't end up in those things. Same with almonds.
  • throwaway09223 4y ago
    Your analogy doesn't hold water, if you'll pardon the pun. The discussion is about water being consumed. Production consumes water, and when we then export the product it is reasonable to say that the function is, in essence, exporting the water, because the water is consumed during production. Saudi Arabia grows their alfalfa in California instead of locally. The only reason they've done this is to use our water instead of theirs. More water is consumed by industries which turn water into exported products, like alfalfa, than is used by all homes in the entire state put together -- including all lawns, pools, golf courses and parks put together.
    • UncleEntity 4y ago
      > The only reason they've done this is to use our water instead of theirs. I’ve spent some amount of time in Saudi Arabia and they don’t have a lot of water there for them to use. I also take issue with the term “our water” like you have some “manifest destiny” to seize someone else’s property rights because you feel you are more entitled to it than the current legal owner. They thought ahead, bought property/water rights and are using them in a way you disagree with. Fair enough, pay them more than the utility they currently derive from their usage and everyone walks away happy campers.
      • thfuran 4y ago
        I always regret that I didn't plan ahead enough to be king of the world so that no one would have any moral right to disagree with my legal right to do whatever I want.
        • UncleEntity 4y ago
          Seriously? You think someone acting within all legal bounds is immoral because they are using a resource in a manner you disagree with?
          • diffeomorphism 4y ago
            Illegal and immoral are entirely two different words. So if you are accused of doing something immoral and your only replay is "but it within legal bounds" my only take away is that you agree that it is immoral as hell, but would rather not talk about it.
            • UncleEntity 4y ago
              Literally no one has given an argument on the morality of using water to grow food, they just assume that their opinion is the correct one and anyone who doesn’t agree is, I don’t know, worthy of ad hominem attacks. I expect a lot more from HN honestly. I really don’t care about the morality of water usage in California because that’s someone else’s problem, what I do care about is all the talk of using the government to seize private property because they think they both have the right and they can use it better than the rightful owners — this is the kind of moral issue I worry about.
              • diffeomorphism 4y ago
                > Literally no one has given an argument on the morality of using water to grow food Correct, that is a complete straw man. The argument was about wasteful use of water, which is legal but arguably immoral. > I really don’t care about the morality of water usage in California because that’s someone else’s problem, Are you sure you wanted to say that part out loud? > seize private property because they think they both have the right and they can use it better than the rightful owners — this is the kind of moral issue I worry about. You are aware of "eminent domain", no? That is not a new thing. Also it is not about "private property" but about entitlements bought from the government.