Publications

Saudi Arabia has abundant oil but very little naturally-occur- ring water. Yet by investing in desalination and domestic agriculture, the Saudi govern- ment has succeeded in provid- ing plentiful water to the en- tire country, satisfying critical needs that many governments around the world struggle to fulfill. However, as water use in the kingdom continues to grow, some observers are worried that it will get harder to provide plen- tiful water forever. Desalination is expensive, and water used for agriculture cannot be replaced. As these trends become harder to avoid, the Saudi government will have to think creatively about how to save water while still reaping all its benefits. Ulti- mately, while the future presents uncertain challenges, the Saudi government’s ability to adapt creative solutions and innova- tions will ensure its success.