Climate Activists Fill Holes With Cement To Protest Against Water Ban Exemption Given To Course

Extinction Rebellion-affiliated environmental activists have targeted golf facilities in southern France, destroying ball holes to stop the game.

As the country struggles with a strict water ban brought on by a crippling drought, activists have plugged the ball holes of golf courses with cement to protest against the watering exemption for those facilities.

Extinction Rebellion justified its conduct in a GreenVoice petition established by the environmental advocacy organization.

"At a time when the greatest drought ever observed in France since the beginning of meteorological readings is raging ... a sector concerning a tiny fraction of the population seems to enjoy a privilege worthy of another world in these times of crisis. Golf," the petition read, calling for golf courses to be banned from watering during the heatwave.

Repulsion of Extinction Toulouse also published images of the destruction they had brought about at the Garonne des Sept Denier's course and on the Vieille-Toulouse club course.

The pictures show the golf holes with cement in them as well as a sign that says: "277,000 liters are being drunk by this hole. Are you that booze?"

The now-destroyed holes, in the words of Extinction Rebellion Toulouse, appear to be based to "prevent the use of these golf courses and, therefore, their watering."

The French Golf Federation's Gerard Rougier argued in favor of their water exemptions by telling France Info that "without water, a green dies in three days and takes three months to regain it."

He added: "A course without a green is like a skating rink without ice, it will have to close".

In comparison, those living outside of the bad areas of the country are unable to water their gardens.

Additionally, there is a drinking water shortage in more than 100 French villages.

According to the ABC, it requires 25,000 cubic meters annually (on average) to maintain the lawns of more than 700 golf courses in France.

The golf course exemption has drawn criticism from the mayor of the southern city of Grenoble, a member of the Green Party, Éric Piolle, who told Reuters that it is just another way to "protect the rich and powerful" while the French people suffer.

The Loire river has almost dried up in certain areas due to France's ongoing drought.

According to France Info, two-thirds of the country has been placed in a state of crisis because of an 85% decrease in rainfall.