Saudi Arabia, a country with 95% desert land, has transformed 24,000 square kilometers of desert into fertile land over the past 60 years. This was achieved through the use of center pivot irrigation farms, which utilize ancient underground water reserves. However, this water source is being depleted, and the country is now facing a major water crisis. To mitigate this, Saudi Arabia has been buying agricultural land in foreign countries.
An alternative solution is being explored in the Albedo area of western Saudi Arabia, where a project has successfully transformed a desolate desert into a lush savannah by harvesting and managing floodwater. If this project can be replicated on a larger scale, it could potentially transform the entire west coast of Saudi Arabia, making over 30 million acres of land suitable for agriculture. This would significantly increase the country's agricultural capacity and GDP. Additionally, using desalination plants powered by green energy, such as nuclear power, could provide a sustainable source of fresh water for the population.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. 95% of Saudi Arabia is a scorching hot desert.
2. Saudi Arabia is one of six countries without any permanent rivers.
3. Saudi Arabia has only four inches of rain per year.
4. Despite its arid climate, Saudi Arabia exports vegetables, fruits, and dairy products worldwide.
5. In the 1990s, Saudi Arabia was one of the largest wheat exporters in the world.
6. The country has implemented large-scale center pivot irrigation farming projects.
7. In 1961, Saudi Arabia had 11,400 square kilometers of arable land, comprising 0.5% of the country.
8. By 2016, the country had almost 35,000 square kilometers of arable land, triple the amount from 60 years ago.
9. This is an area larger than countries like Belgium and Armenia.
10. Saudi Arabia has transformed 24,000 square kilometers of desert into fertile land in the past 60 years.
11. This is an area larger than countries like Slovenia and twice as large as Qatar.
12. The country has been pumping water from ancient aquifers to sustain farming.
13. These aquifers were formed during periods of wetter climates between 10,000 and 2 million years ago.
14. Saudi Arabia sits on huge reserves of oil and water.
15. The country has been using center pivot irrigation machines for 50 years.
16. However, the country is suffering from a major depletion of water in its aquifers.
17. The risk of disintegration of its agriculture is a consequence of this depletion.
18. To prevent this, Saudi Arabia has bought agricultural land in the United States, Argentina, Indonesia, and several African countries.
19. Saudi Arabia is ranked as a major buyer of agricultural land in foreign countries.
20. A project in the Albedo area of western Saudi Arabia successfully transformed desert land into a lush and green savannah by harvesting and managing flood water.
21. The project was led by Stanford University permaculturist Neil Speckman and Harvard University bioethicist Mona Hamdi.
22. The project used rock terraces, check dams, and shallow ditches to trap rainwater and create a stream.
23. The project also planted drought-resistant trees and built a bat house and a pigeon house.
24. The project ran for seven years and was successful in transforming the desert land into a savannah.
25. The Albedo area is a geographic fractal, meaning it follows the same pattern as all the region's watersheds.
26. The entire west coast of the Arabian Peninsula is characterized by watersheds that flow to the Red Sea.
27. 90% of all freshwater flows to the Red Sea in flooding events without being trapped or used.
28. If the Albedo project can be magnified to the entire west coast of Saudi Arabia, the region could be transformed into agricultural land.
29. This area is larger than the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, and Denmark combined.
30. The agricultural capacity of Saudi Arabia could be multiplied by at least six times, increasing the GDP by 3-5%.
31. The project would cost billions of dollars and time, but it would be a significant transformation.
32. The vast majority of carbon gases are stored in fertile soil.
33. If the soil dries and becomes a desert, carbon gases are released into the atmosphere.
34. If the soil comes back to life, it traps huge amounts of carbon gases back into the ground.
35. Saudi Arabia uses desalination plants for freshwater, which is energy-intensive and uses natural gas and coal.
36. Modern desalination plants are mostly thermal, which emits carbon gases.
37. Reverse osmosis is a more efficient method that runs on electricity and can be harnessed from nuclear energy.