Water for the desert—a viewpoint

Abstract

The dwindling water resources combined with climatological conditions which severely affected several areas of the world, particularly those where subsistence agriculture and nomadic animal husbandry are the mainstay of the way‐of‐life, require immediate action. Some schemes have been proposed which at first sight were to be considered engineers’ dreams. From seawater conversion, to iceberg towing and long distance piping, solutions are edging from the realm of fantasy to conceivable achievements. Perhaps the mighty Zaire River may be one day tapped to quench the thirst of parched Central Africa or fill the jugs of Arabia.