Let There Be Water: Israel's Solution for a Water-Starved World

Lawyer and activist Siegel believes a global fresh water crisis is looming owing to climate change, population growth, pollution and an expanding middle class. Yet, Israel, entirely desert or semiarid land with an increasing population, is able to feed itself and export food and water. The author spends most of the book explaining how the country achieved this feat. He outlines the sacrifice and planning of the early decades, then the development of home-grown technology. For example, all citizens are taught to conserve, the state owns all fresh water and charges for it, and drip irrigation was invented there. Farmers have chosen and bred crops that can survive in a dry environment with brackish water. Reclamation is also a factor: most of the wastewater is treated and held in reservoirs for use in irrigation. Desalination plants have become important components of the water surplus and allow Israel to supply Jordan and the Palestinian Authority. The state supports water technology research which helps generate revenue for export. Other nations acknowledge this expertise by hiring Israeli consultants to deal with water issues.