Extinction Rebellion Blocks Golf Holes Amid Spain’s Drought Crisis
Climate activists from Extinction Rebellion (XR) took drastic action on Sunday, plugging the holes on ten golf courses across Spain to spotlight the sport’s massive water waste during Europe’s severe drought.
Midnight Mayhem on Spain’s Golf Greens
Under cover of darkness, XR activists targeted courses in Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia, the Basque Country, Navarra, and Ibiza. Using cement and seedlings, they filled the holes and left bold banners reading: “Alert: drought! Golf closed for climate justice.”
The group slammed the wasteful water use “during one of the worst droughts Europe has ever suffered.”
Golf and Water Waste: A Costly Luxury
XR revealed shocking stats from Spanish NGO Ecologists In Action: one golf hole guzzles over 100,000 litres of water daily to keep greens lush. Across Spain, 437 golf courses use more water than Madrid and Barcelona combined—yet only 0.6% of the population plays golf.
The activists called this “irresponsible and sheer cynicism” amid Spain’s drought and rural communities losing vital water for farming.
Spain’s Worst Drought in Centuries
Experts warn parts of Spain are enduring the driest conditions in 1,000 years. Reservoirs sit at half capacity following Europe’s hottest summer on record last year, with a heatwave pushing temperatures above 44°C. Between June 1-10, 60% of Spain was on red alert for rain shortage, says the European Drought Observatory.
XR’s Ongoing Campaign Against Elite Waste
This golf course stunt joins recent protests in Malaga, Seville, Almeria, Cordoba, and Madrid.
XR targets the richest 1%, condemning their lavish lifestyles—golfing, private jets, luxury cars—as unaffordable luxuries in a warming world.
The group demands an urgent, democratic plan for water use, including limits on golf course irrigation, to combat climate change and drought.
