Suppose you work for the Wholesome Hamburger Company that owns 100 fast food restaurants in California.

There is a big drought and people are being told to use less water.

You know that it takes:

1,800 gallons of water to produce one pound of beef,
12 gallons of water to produce a head of lettuce,
2 gallons for one walnut, and
468 gallons of water to produce a pound of chicken.

You discuss this with the executives in your firm and they tell you that the way water is allocated by the government, the company does not incur any additional expense: water will remain very cheap for business. The head of the company is soliciting ideas for its strategic plan for the future.

1. What is the ethical dilemma or issue?
2. What are the alternatives or possible courses of action? Identify at least 3 alternatives.
3. What are your recommendations?  In other words, of the several alternatives you identified, what do you think the company should do?
4. What is your rationale for your recommendations?  In other words, why do you recommend this course of action?