about five years ago I went to a talk that changed my life
that changed my life
that changed my life the presentation was at a foreign policy
the presentation was at a foreign policy
the presentation was at a foreign policy think-tank and the speaker there was a
think-tank and the speaker there was a
think-tank and the speaker there was a US government intelligence official who
US government intelligence official who
US government intelligence official who shared a just Declassified top-secret
shared a just Declassified top-secret
shared a just Declassified top-secret report the report said the world was
report the report said the world was
report the report said the world was going into a period of water scarcity
going into a period of water scarcity
going into a period of water scarcity that had already begun and which would
that had already begun and which would
that had already begun and which would accelerate until a crisis was felt
accelerate until a crisis was felt
accelerate until a crisis was felt around the world sometime around the
around the world sometime around the
around the world sometime around the year 2025 60% of the world’s land mass
year 2025 60% of the world’s land mass
year 2025 60% of the world’s land mass would be affected as with more than 1
would be affected as with more than 1
would be affected as with more than 1 billion people directly and billions
billion people directly and billions
billion people directly and billions more indirectly it would result in
more indirectly it would result in
more indirectly it would result in higher food prices instability in many
higher food prices instability in many
higher food prices instability in many places the failure of some country is
places the failure of some country is
places the failure of some country is important to the United States and the
important to the United States and the
important to the United States and the report concluded could even result in
report concluded could even result in
report concluded could even result in the u.s. having to rethink its global
the u.s. having to rethink its global
the u.s. having to rethink its global defense architecture well as you would
defense architecture well as you would
defense architecture well as you would imagine a main culprit of this was of
imagine a main culprit of this was of
imagine a main culprit of this was of course climate change but it wasn’t the
course climate change but it wasn’t the
course climate change but it wasn’t the only element we are 7 billion people in
only element we are 7 billion people in
only element we are 7 billion people in the world today projected to rise to
the world today projected to rise to
the world today projected to rise to more than 10 billion people in the
more than 10 billion people in the
more than 10 billion people in the coming decades and if we are already
coming decades and if we are already
coming decades and if we are already pinched for water to grow our food where
pinched for water to grow our food where
pinched for water to grow our food where will we find the water to grow the food
will we find the water to grow the food
will we find the water to grow the food for these new billions and a rising
for these new billions and a rising
for these new billions and a rising standard of living would also play a
standard of living would also play a
standard of living would also play a part in this because the diet that
part in this because the diet that
part in this because the diet that people like you and I enjoy is a diet
people like you and I enjoy is a diet
people like you and I enjoy is a diet likely to have animal protein in it
likely to have animal protein in it
likely to have animal protein in it whereas poor people get by on wheat corn
whereas poor people get by on wheat corn
whereas poor people get by on wheat corn and rice and to cite just one statistic
and rice and to cite just one statistic
and rice and to cite just one statistic it takes 17 times more water to raise a
it takes 17 times more water to raise a
it takes 17 times more water to raise a pound of beef than it does to grow a
pound of beef than it does to grow a
pound of beef than it does to grow a pound of corn so to accommodate what is
pound of corn so to accommodate what is
pound of corn so to accommodate what is projected now as more than 1 billion
projected now as more than 1 billion
projected now as more than 1 billion people rising to the middle class over
people rising to the middle class over
people rising to the middle class over the next 10 years will require an
the next 10 years will require an
the next 10 years will require an enormous amount of new water
enormous amount of new water
enormous amount of new water so I left this meeting concerned and
so I left this meeting concerned and
so I left this meeting concerned and maybe like you you go to a meeting you
maybe like you you go to a meeting you
maybe like you you go to a meeting you hear something you think this is really
hear something you think this is really
hear something you think this is really important and then the next day it just
important and then the next day it just
important and then the next day it just evaporates it disappears but not for me
evaporates it disappears but not for me
evaporates it disappears but not for me I went back to my office that very day I
I went back to my office that very day I
I went back to my office that very day I went online I started reading and I kept
went online I started reading and I kept
went online I started reading and I kept reading the next day the next week the
reading the next day the next week the
reading the next day the next week the next month but as I read I kept bumping
next month but as I read I kept bumping
next month but as I read I kept bumping into something that I found surprising
into something that I found surprising
into something that I found surprising it seemed that nearly every solution to
it seemed that nearly every solution to
it seemed that nearly every solution to water scarcity had either been invented
water scarcity had either been invented
water scarcity had either been invented in Israel or was one in which Israel had
in Israel or was one in which Israel had
in Israel or was one in which Israel had played a leading part and I found this
played a leading part and I found this
played a leading part and I found this puzzling because I thought I knew
puzzling because I thought I knew
puzzling because I thought I knew something about Israel and it didn’t fit
something about Israel and it didn’t fit
something about Israel and it didn’t fit what I thought I knew for example Israel
what I thought I knew for example Israel
what I thought I knew for example Israel is in the driest region in the world it
is in the driest region in the world it
is in the driest region in the world it only rains in Israel from October
only rains in Israel from October
only rains in Israel from October November to March or April and nearly
November to March or April and nearly
November to March or April and nearly 2/3 of the country is desert and only
2/3 of the country is desert and only
2/3 of the country is desert and only 1/3 is semi-arid and therefore there’s
1/3 is semi-arid and therefore there’s
1/3 is semi-arid and therefore there’s not a lot of water there it also struck
not a lot of water there it also struck
not a lot of water there it also struck me that there was other parts of this
me that there was other parts of this
me that there was other parts of this that didn’t make any sense remember I
that didn’t make any sense remember I
that didn’t make any sense remember I had said to you that the intelligence
had said to you that the intelligence
had said to you that the intelligence official and talking to us said that
official and talking to us said that
official and talking to us said that climate change population growth and a
climate change population growth and a
climate change population growth and a rising standard of living were the major
rising standard of living were the major
rising standard of living were the major culprits in this in this problem of
culprits in this in this problem of
culprits in this in this problem of water scarcity
water scarcity
water scarcity well Israel has suffered terribly from
well Israel has suffered terribly from
well Israel has suffered terribly from climate change in the last few decades
climate change in the last few decades
climate change in the last few decades Israel’s average annual rainfall has
Israel’s average annual rainfall has
Israel’s average annual rainfall has diminished by nearly 25 percent and as
diminished by nearly 25 percent and as
diminished by nearly 25 percent and as for population as you see here since
for population as you see here since
for population as you see here since achieving independence in 1948 Israel
achieving independence in 1948 Israel
achieving independence in 1948 Israel has had the fastest rate of population
has had the fastest rate of population
has had the fastest rate of population rise of any country in the world an 11
rise of any country in the world an 11
rise of any country in the world an 11 fold increase in population during that
fold increase in population during that
fold increase in population during that time and as for affluence
time and as for affluence
time and as for affluence well after Singapore and South Korea no
well after Singapore and South Korea no
well after Singapore and South Korea no other country has enjoyed the kind of
other country has enjoyed the kind of
other country has enjoyed the kind of economic growth as has Israel in that
economic growth as has Israel in that
economic growth as has Israel in that same time period yet instead of Israel
same time period yet instead of Israel
same time period yet instead of Israel just getting by on meager water
just getting by on meager water
just getting by on meager water resources as you would expect remarkably
resources as you would expect remarkably
resources as you would expect remarkably Israel was water abundant how abundant
Israel was water abundant how abundant
Israel was water abundant how abundant an example or two
an example or two
an example or two Israel provides its entire population
Israel provides its entire population
Israel provides its entire population 24/7 healthy safe on-demand water now
24/7 healthy safe on-demand water now
24/7 healthy safe on-demand water now that may be something you can take for
that may be something you can take for
that may be something you can take for granted in London or New York but it’s
granted in London or New York but it’s
granted in London or New York but it’s actually something that’s only enjoyed
actually something that’s only enjoyed
actually something that’s only enjoyed by a relatively small minority of the
by a relatively small minority of the
by a relatively small minority of the world’s population also moreover
world’s population also moreover
world’s population also moreover agriculture as we know is a large
agriculture as we know is a large
agriculture as we know is a large consumer of water and yet even so Israel
consumer of water and yet even so Israel
consumer of water and yet even so Israel is self-sufficient
is self-sufficient
is self-sufficient in fruits and vegetables and even
in fruits and vegetables and even
in fruits and vegetables and even exports billions of dollars a year of
exports billions of dollars a year of
exports billions of dollars a year of produce which is akin to exporting
produce which is akin to exporting
produce which is akin to exporting billions and billions of gallons of
billions and billions of gallons of
billions and billions of gallons of precious water every year and on top of
precious water every year and on top of
precious water every year and on top of that Israel provides the Palestinian
that Israel provides the Palestinian
that Israel provides the Palestinian Authority with the majority of the water
Authority with the majority of the water
Authority with the majority of the water consumed by Palestinians in the West
consumed by Palestinians in the West
consumed by Palestinians in the West Bank and provides the Kingdom of Jordan
Bank and provides the Kingdom of Jordan
Bank and provides the Kingdom of Jordan with a lot of water Israel also sends
with a lot of water Israel also sends
with a lot of water Israel also sends water to Gaza every day even during
water to Gaza every day even during
water to Gaza every day even during times of conflict how I asked myself how
times of conflict how I asked myself how
times of conflict how I asked myself how was this possible and if the world
was this possible and if the world
was this possible and if the world really is going into a period of water
really is going into a period of water
really is going into a period of water scarcity I thought it will be important
scarcity I thought it will be important
scarcity I thought it will be important for the world to have a model to learn
for the world to have a model to learn
for the world to have a model to learn from to copy and so on the theory that
from to copy and so on the theory that
from to copy and so on the theory that there’s a book on every subject I went
there’s a book on every subject I went
there’s a book on every subject I went looking for a book on Israel’s water
looking for a book on Israel’s water
looking for a book on Israel’s water triumph but I couldn’t find one and then
triumph but I couldn’t find one and then
triumph but I couldn’t find one and then I thought ok well I’ll find a book in
I thought ok well I’ll find a book in
I thought ok well I’ll find a book in Hebrew and we’ll figure out a way and
Hebrew and we’ll figure out a way and
Hebrew and we’ll figure out a way and get it translated but there was no book
get it translated but there was no book
get it translated but there was no book in Hebrew either and then it hit me what
in Hebrew either and then it hit me what
in Hebrew either and then it hit me what if I wrote the book and so I did I spent
if I wrote the book and so I did I spent
if I wrote the book and so I did I spent 14 months doing research 9 months
14 months doing research 9 months
14 months doing research 9 months writing and rewriting and I’ll be honest
writing and rewriting and I’ll be honest
writing and rewriting and I’ll be honest with you I got lucky I found a great
with you I got lucky I found a great
with you I got lucky I found a great publisher and the book called let there
publisher and the book called let there
publisher and the book called let there be water struck a nerve and within weeks
be water struck a nerve and within weeks
be water struck a nerve and within weeks of
of
of to release it became a national
to release it became a national
to release it became a national bestseller in the United States making
bestseller in the United States making
bestseller in the United States making it onto the New York Times LA Times and
it onto the New York Times LA Times and
it onto the New York Times LA Times and Washington Post bestseller lists it’s
Washington Post bestseller lists it’s
Washington Post bestseller lists it’s Israel’s story I just told it there are
Israel’s story I just told it there are
Israel’s story I just told it there are 15 international editions that are now
15 international editions that are now
15 international editions that are now either out or soon to be out covering
either out or soon to be out covering
either out or soon to be out covering nearly 50 countries around the world and
nearly 50 countries around the world and
nearly 50 countries around the world and you know what we learn from this is
you know what we learn from this is
you know what we learn from this is clearly a lot of interest in water
clearly a lot of interest in water
clearly a lot of interest in water scarcity and what to do about it so what
scarcity and what to do about it so what
scarcity and what to do about it so what do we do about it what did Israel do
do we do about it what did Israel do
do we do about it what did Israel do about it and what is it that the world
about it and what is it that the world
about it and what is it that the world can learn from the Israeli example okay
can learn from the Israeli example okay
can learn from the Israeli example okay first even before there was a state
first even before there was a state
first even before there was a state Israel’s pre state leaders developed a
Israel’s pre state leaders developed a
Israel’s pre state leaders developed a culture and an ethos that would not
culture and an ethos that would not
culture and an ethos that would not allow water scarcity to slow their
allow water scarcity to slow their
allow water scarcity to slow their ability to grow and prosper no less than
ability to grow and prosper no less than
ability to grow and prosper no less than Israel’s renowned military capability
Israel’s renowned military capability
Israel’s renowned military capability and it’s sophisticated immigration
and it’s sophisticated immigration
and it’s sophisticated immigration absorption system Israel’s leaders put
absorption system Israel’s leaders put
absorption system Israel’s leaders put money and some of the best minds to work
money and some of the best minds to work
money and some of the best minds to work on the water future of the young country
on the water future of the young country
on the water future of the young country and you know it’s just like in our lives
and you know it’s just like in our lives
and you know it’s just like in our lives when you really focus on something
when you really focus on something
when you really focus on something sometimes you get a really good result
sometimes you get a really good result
sometimes you get a really good result and that’s exactly what happened here
and that’s exactly what happened here
and that’s exactly what happened here second unlike in most of the world where
second unlike in most of the world where
second unlike in most of the world where water is highly politicized Israel has
water is highly politicized Israel has
water is highly politicized Israel has an apolitical technocratic form of water
an apolitical technocratic form of water
an apolitical technocratic form of water governance called the Israel Water
governance called the Israel Water
governance called the Israel Water Authority the organization focuses on
Authority the organization focuses on
Authority the organization focuses on the best use of water for the largest
the best use of water for the largest
the best use of water for the largest number of people possible and they plan
number of people possible and they plan
number of people possible and they plan far far into the future third in most of
far far into the future third in most of
far far into the future third in most of the world the price of water is
the world the price of water is
the world the price of water is subsidized few actually pay the real
subsidized few actually pay the real
subsidized few actually pay the real price for their water but market forces
price for their water but market forces
price for their water but market forces work well in encouraging conservation
work well in encouraging conservation
work well in encouraging conservation efficiency and innovation in Israel the
efficiency and innovation in Israel the
efficiency and innovation in Israel the government does not provide any subsidy
government does not provide any subsidy
government does not provide any subsidy of water what so ever whether it’s for
of water what so ever whether it’s for
of water what so ever whether it’s for in
in
in the structure or administration or
the structure or administration or
the structure or administration or pumping water to people’s homes the
pumping water to people’s homes the
pumping water to people’s homes the Israeli public pays the complete and
Israeli public pays the complete and
Israeli public pays the complete and full price for all of the water used and
full price for all of the water used and
full price for all of the water used and because they pay for their full price of
because they pay for their full price of
because they pay for their full price of water losing water is like losing money
water losing water is like losing money
water losing water is like losing money this has led to Israel developing among
this has led to Israel developing among
this has led to Israel developing among the finest national water infrastructure
the finest national water infrastructure
the finest national water infrastructure systems in the world
systems in the world
systems in the world losing relatively small amounts of water
losing relatively small amounts of water
losing relatively small amounts of water to leaks and finally technology Israel
to leaks and finally technology Israel
to leaks and finally technology Israel is well known as a global center of
is well known as a global center of
is well known as a global center of problem solving and innovation and if
problem solving and innovation and if
problem solving and innovation and if this is true and it is if this is true
this is true and it is if this is true
this is true and it is if this is true in high-tech and in cybersecurity it’s
in high-tech and in cybersecurity it’s
in high-tech and in cybersecurity it’s also true in water tech innovation and
also true in water tech innovation and
also true in water tech innovation and across the spectrum of that category
across the spectrum of that category
across the spectrum of that category from infrastructure planning to leak
from infrastructure planning to leak
from infrastructure planning to leak minimization to to security to
minimization to to security to
minimization to to security to irrigation to agriculture and since
irrigation to agriculture and since
irrigation to agriculture and since agriculture uses the largest part of
agriculture uses the largest part of
agriculture uses the largest part of water nearly everywhere using from half
water nearly everywhere using from half
water nearly everywhere using from half to 95% of a country’s freshwater
to 95% of a country’s freshwater
to 95% of a country’s freshwater reserves maximizing every drop that
reserves maximizing every drop that
reserves maximizing every drop that falls on farm or field is especially
falls on farm or field is especially
falls on farm or field is especially important fittingly it was in Israel
important fittingly it was in Israel
important fittingly it was in Israel that drip irrigation was invented in
that drip irrigation was invented in
that drip irrigation was invented in most of the world fields are irrigated
most of the world fields are irrigated
most of the world fields are irrigated by either flooding them or by using
by either flooding them or by using
by either flooding them or by using sprinklers in either case this results
sprinklers in either case this results
sprinklers in either case this results in large amounts of water being lost to
in large amounts of water being lost to
in large amounts of water being lost to evaporation sometimes as much as 80% of
evaporation sometimes as much as 80% of
evaporation sometimes as much as 80% of the total water but with drip irrigation
the total water but with drip irrigation
the total water but with drip irrigation tiny drippers feed droplets of water to
tiny drippers feed droplets of water to
tiny drippers feed droplets of water to the plants at their roots and almost
the plants at their roots and almost
the plants at their roots and almost nothing is lost to evaporation in total
nothing is lost to evaporation in total
nothing is lost to evaporation in total this saves enormous enormous amounts of
this saves enormous enormous amounts of
this saves enormous enormous amounts of water Israel also is a global center of
water Israel also is a global center of
water Israel also is a global center of seed innovation Israeli scientists use
seed innovation Israeli scientists use
seed innovation Israeli scientists use non-gmo devices to develop drought
non-gmo devices to develop drought
non-gmo devices to develop drought resistant seeds that allow plants to
resistant seeds that allow plants to
resistant seeds that allow plants to grow on poor quality water what that
grow on poor quality water what that
grow on poor quality water what that means is that water that would have no
means is that water that would have no
means is that water that would have no other use can be used to grow certain
other use can be used to grow certain
other use can be used to grow certain crops saving quality water for better
crops saving quality water for better
crops saving quality water for better uses in addition because it always takes
uses in addition because it always takes
uses in addition because it always takes a lot of water to grow any kind of crop
a lot of water to grow any kind of crop
a lot of water to grow any kind of crop or any kind of plant Israeli seed
or any kind of plant Israeli seed
or any kind of plant Israeli seed scientists have focused on what is
scientists have focused on what is
scientists have focused on what is harvested what I mean by that is they
harvested what I mean by that is they
harvested what I mean by that is they use traditional breeding to develop
use traditional breeding to develop
use traditional breeding to develop tomato plants with very short roots and
tomato plants with very short roots and
tomato plants with very short roots and almost no leaves they developed a wheat
almost no leaves they developed a wheat
almost no leaves they developed a wheat plant with a very short stalk why waste
plant with a very short stalk why waste
plant with a very short stalk why waste water on a part of the plant that you
water on a part of the plant that you
water on a part of the plant that you can’t eat and you can’t use and that’s
can’t eat and you can’t use and that’s
can’t eat and you can’t use and that’s not all Israeli technologists did in
not all Israeli technologists did in
not all Israeli technologists did in 1951 when the country was to be honest
1951 when the country was to be honest
1951 when the country was to be honest broke and focused mostly on security and
broke and focused mostly on security and
broke and focused mostly on security and absorbing immigrants Israel’s leaders
absorbing immigrants Israel’s leaders
absorbing immigrants Israel’s leaders looked far into the future and decided
looked far into the future and decided
looked far into the future and decided to pursue a new source of water they
to pursue a new source of water they
to pursue a new source of water they decided to capture nearly all of the
decided to capture nearly all of the
decided to capture nearly all of the sewage in the country to treat it to an
sewage in the country to treat it to an
sewage in the country to treat it to an ultra-high pure level but to use none of
ultra-high pure level but to use none of
ultra-high pure level but to use none of it for drinking water instead to use it
it for drinking water instead to use it
it for drinking water instead to use it all for agriculture they spent 30 years
all for agriculture they spent 30 years
all for agriculture they spent 30 years and billions of dollars building a
and billions of dollars building a
and billions of dollars building a parallel national water infrastructure
parallel national water infrastructure
parallel national water infrastructure system and now special pipes are used to
system and now special pipes are used to
system and now special pipes are used to take this treated water to farms all
take this treated water to farms all
take this treated water to farms all over the country where that water is
over the country where that water is
over the country where that water is used to grow appropriate crops Israel
used to grow appropriate crops Israel
used to grow appropriate crops Israel today leads the world in the reuse of
today leads the world in the reuse of
today leads the world in the reuse of treated sewage treating and reusing
treated sewage treating and reusing
treated sewage treating and reusing nearly 90% of the country’s sewage and I
nearly 90% of the country’s sewage and I
nearly 90% of the country’s sewage and I want to tell you something if right now
want to tell you something if right now
want to tell you something if right now the reuse of water is in its infancy all
the reuse of water is in its infancy all
the reuse of water is in its infancy all over the world or nearly all over the
over the world or nearly all over the
over the world or nearly all over the world I want to promise you something
world I want to promise you something
world I want to promise you something that in a very short time it will
that in a very short time it will
that in a very short time it will common that everyone or nearly everyone
common that everyone or nearly everyone
common that everyone or nearly everyone will be using recycled water for an ever
will be using recycled water for an ever
will be using recycled water for an ever drier world and with Israel as the
drier world and with Israel as the
drier world and with Israel as the inspiration for this in the 1950s
inspiration for this in the 1950s
inspiration for this in the 1950s Israel’s leaders began talking about
Israel’s leaders began talking about
Israel’s leaders began talking about making the desert bloom now in part that
making the desert bloom now in part that
making the desert bloom now in part that would be achieved by taking this treated
would be achieved by taking this treated
would be achieved by taking this treated wastewater and using it there but in
wastewater and using it there but in
wastewater and using it there but in their dreams they thought they would
their dreams they thought they would
their dreams they thought they would achieve the greening of the desert by
achieve the greening of the desert by
achieve the greening of the desert by what they then called desalting the sea
what they then called desalting the sea
what they then called desalting the sea which is the idea that became
which is the idea that became
which is the idea that became desalination today the equivalent of 80
desalination today the equivalent of 80
desalination today the equivalent of 80 percent of the household water consumed
percent of the household water consumed
percent of the household water consumed in Israel comes from one of Israel’s
in Israel comes from one of Israel’s
in Israel comes from one of Israel’s Mediterranean desalination plants and
Mediterranean desalination plants and
Mediterranean desalination plants and this plant is the largest most
this plant is the largest most
this plant is the largest most energy-efficient most water productive
energy-efficient most water productive
energy-efficient most water productive desalination plant in the entire world
desalination plant in the entire world
desalination plant in the entire world located in Israel in my book I talk
located in Israel in my book I talk
located in Israel in my book I talk about how Israel’s culture governance
about how Israel’s culture governance
about how Israel’s culture governance and embracive technology led to its
and embracive technology led to its
and embracive technology led to its water independence but that’s not all I
water independence but that’s not all I
water independence but that’s not all I talk about I also talk about what I call
talk about I also talk about what I call
talk about I also talk about what I call hydro diplomacy and how water and water
hydro diplomacy and how water and water
hydro diplomacy and how water and water technology can be used to open doors and
technology can be used to open doors and
technology can be used to open doors and help build relationships and it was in
help build relationships and it was in
help build relationships and it was in large part because of China’s
large part because of China’s
large part because of China’s fascination with Israeli advances in
fascination with Israeli advances in
fascination with Israeli advances in water technology that China made a
water technology that China made a
water technology that China made a decision to abandon its support for the
decision to abandon its support for the
decision to abandon its support for the Arab boycott of Israel to reach out to
Arab boycott of Israel to reach out to
Arab boycott of Israel to reach out to Israel and ask Israel to send to China a
Israel and ask Israel to send to China a
Israel and ask Israel to send to China a leading Israeli hydrologist they did in
leading Israeli hydrologist they did in
leading Israeli hydrologist they did in less than one year from his arrival the
less than one year from his arrival the
less than one year from his arrival the two countries decided to establish
two countries decided to establish
two countries decided to establish diplomatic relations now that story can
diplomatic relations now that story can
diplomatic relations now that story can be told again and again with one country
be told again and again with one country
be told again and again with one country after another with water as the medium
after another with water as the medium
after another with water as the medium including as recently as this very year
including as recently as this very year
including as recently as this very year when several water poor African nations
when several water poor African nations
when several water poor African nations made the decision
made the decision
made the decision to make ties with Israel we all know
to make ties with Israel we all know
to make ties with Israel we all know that water can be a source of conflict
that water can be a source of conflict
that water can be a source of conflict but with the Israel case represents is
but with the Israel case represents is
but with the Israel case represents is that water can also be a source of
that water can also be a source of
that water can also be a source of conflict resolution water can open a
conflict resolution water can open a
conflict resolution water can open a pathway to coexistence to cooperation
pathway to coexistence to cooperation
pathway to coexistence to cooperation and maybe maybe even to peace
civilization was transformed when
civilization was transformed when humankind learned how to grow food no
humankind learned how to grow food no
humankind learned how to grow food no longer needing to be nomads foraging for
longer needing to be nomads foraging for
longer needing to be nomads foraging for food people could stay rooted in a
food people could stay rooted in a
food people could stay rooted in a single place and grow all the food they
single place and grow all the food they
single place and grow all the food they could need similarly we are once people
could need similarly we are once people
could need similarly we are once people had to go to where the water is now
had to go to where the water is now
had to go to where the water is now everyone can develop all the water they
everyone can develop all the water they
everyone can develop all the water they can need in Israel nearly 2/3 of the
can need in Israel nearly 2/3 of the
can need in Israel nearly 2/3 of the water used by homes offices businesses
water used by homes offices businesses
water used by homes offices businesses of all kind and even agriculture comes
of all kind and even agriculture comes
of all kind and even agriculture comes from developed sources only 1/3 of
from developed sources only 1/3 of
from developed sources only 1/3 of israel’s water comes from such natural
israel’s water comes from such natural
israel’s water comes from such natural sources as a river a lake or an aquifer
sources as a river a lake or an aquifer
sources as a river a lake or an aquifer and if Israel had to do so it actually
and if Israel had to do so it actually
and if Israel had to do so it actually could develop all of the water it needs
could develop all of the water it needs
could develop all of the water it needs to as with the rise of agriculture
to as with the rise of agriculture
to as with the rise of agriculture civilization can be transformed with
civilization can be transformed with
civilization can be transformed with this new technology with humankind less
this new technology with humankind less
this new technology with humankind less dependent than ever on the whims of
dependent than ever on the whims of
dependent than ever on the whims of nature but but there is another
nature but but there is another
nature but but there is another possibility a dark and scary prospect it
possibility a dark and scary prospect it
possibility a dark and scary prospect it is also possible that we are on the cusp
is also possible that we are on the cusp
is also possible that we are on the cusp of a dimension of humanitarian disaster
of a dimension of humanitarian disaster
of a dimension of humanitarian disaster unknown since World War two or maybe
unknown since World War two or maybe
unknown since World War two or maybe ever in recorded history there are
ever in recorded history there are
ever in recorded history there are hundreds of millions of people I want to
hundreds of millions of people I want to
hundreds of millions of people I want to repeat that there are hundreds of
repeat that there are hundreds of
repeat that there are hundreds of millions of people
millions of people
millions of people who
who
who live in places where the water is at
live in places where the water is at
live in places where the water is at risk of running out and if we don’t do
risk of running out and if we don’t do
risk of running out and if we don’t do something quickly to address this
something quickly to address this
something quickly to address this inadequacy of supply get ready for waves
inadequacy of supply get ready for waves
inadequacy of supply get ready for waves and waves of water refugees people
and waves of water refugees people
and waves of water refugees people forced to leave where they live to seek
forced to leave where they live to seek
forced to leave where they live to seek out new places where they can find water
out new places where they can find water
out new places where they can find water to live their lives these people live in
to live their lives these people live in
to live their lives these people live in very famous places like India but also
very famous places like India but also
very famous places like India but also they live in lots of places that don’t
they live in lots of places that don’t
they live in lots of places that don’t seem to get covered much on the nightly
seem to get covered much on the nightly
seem to get covered much on the nightly news
news
news places countries in Africa and Asia and
places countries in Africa and Asia and
places countries in Africa and Asia and South America but here’s what you need
South America but here’s what you need
South America but here’s what you need to know whether a rich country or a poor
to know whether a rich country or a poor
to know whether a rich country or a poor country a large country or a small
country a large country or a small
country a large country or a small country a landlocked country or country
country a landlocked country or country
country a landlocked country or country with a long seacoast every country has
with a long seacoast every country has
with a long seacoast every country has something to learn from the Israel
something to learn from the Israel
something to learn from the Israel experience with water the world doesn’t
experience with water the world doesn’t
experience with water the world doesn’t have to invent a new approach everybody
have to invent a new approach everybody
have to invent a new approach everybody has something to learn from how Israel
has something to learn from how Israel
has something to learn from how Israel became water abundant and drought proof
became water abundant and drought proof
became water abundant and drought proof there are no secrets this is available
there are no secrets this is available
there are no secrets this is available to everyone everywhere and you know in
to everyone everywhere and you know in
to everyone everywhere and you know in an ever drier more water-scarce world
an ever drier more water-scarce world
an ever drier more water-scarce world and a world where growing food will
and a world where growing food will
and a world where growing food will become more difficult but yet more
become more difficult but yet more
become more difficult but yet more necessary for the billions of people on
necessary for the billions of people on
necessary for the billions of people on their way it’s actually comforting to
their way it’s actually comforting to
their way it’s actually comforting to know that there’s a model that works a
know that there’s a model that works a
know that there’s a model that works a model that the world can look to to
model that the world can look to to
model that the world can look to to avoid the worst of this coming water
avoid the worst of this coming water
avoid the worst of this coming water scarcity but we have to get going
scarcity but we have to get going
scarcity but we have to get going delay could lead to catastrophe but as
delay could lead to catastrophe but as
delay could lead to catastrophe but as we see from Israel a secure even what
we see from Israel a secure even what
we see from Israel a secure even what are abundant future is possible thank
are abundant future is possible thank
are abundant future is possible thank you
you
you [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] [Music]
”
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