It opened in 1931 and underwent a major renovation in 1997. Apparently, the water usage is sustainable (see below), but it still doesn't excuse the fact, in my mind, that continuing to support the upkeep of a green-ass golf course at the edge of Death Valley shows how out-of-whack its patrons are with the changing climate.
"In an area as hot and dry as Death Valley, balancing water usage with conservation requires significant planning. Furnace Creek and its namesake resort exist in their location because natural spring water flows from nearby mountain ranges to create an oasis. By routing the water from one point to others, the resort’s goal is to use the same molecules of water for several purposes. The spring-fed water is first used at the Inn to irrigate gardens and supply the swimming pool which was designed with a flow-through system that minimizes chemical use. That water then continues downhill to the Ranch where it fills the ponds on the golf course, providing habitat for local and migratory wildlife. The water in the ponds then irrigates the golf course." - How Xanterra’s Furnace Creek Resort is Sustainable, greenlodgingnews.com
This doesn’t sound like a dystopia to me. Having a sustainable oasis in the middle of the desert is actually pretty badass.
It was a sustainable oasis all on it's own. Now it's just a golf course.
If we could financially exploit the desert we'd have companies pushing climate change along. Zero thoughts as to how many people die because of it. Capitalism does not care about people, only profit.
They could build a Starbucks in the rainforest and as long as they claim it’s somewhat “sustainable” you’d probably endorse it.
False equivalency. There’s a huge difference between a rainforest and a desert.
Not really. Visiting either is ecologically destructive and should probably be illegal.
After thousands of years of my ancestors living in a desert, I guess we have to move now. Europe looks nice.
/s I would never move to Europe.
That's not what we're talking about. This isn't part of a city in a well situated area. It's a resort in a national park. An area that's supposed to be preserved.
I encourage you in particular to live there.
Thanks, I was thinking of leaving, needed your approval.
Why do you hate Europe?
I don't. Europe has fertile lands and ample water. But I don't want to contribute to the rising anti-immigrant sentiments when I have no valid reason to emigrate.
No no no. You don't get it. Forget the fact that this place reuses water to conserve massive amounts of pipe fed water as most other golf coarses do. Forget the vast amounts of water they use, vs the sustainable model this coarse uses.
The point is, we're supposed to be MAD!!! RABBLE RABBLE RABBLE!!!
Agreed