PowerPoint Presentation - Plan B 3.0: Mobilizing to Save Civilization

Saudi ArabiaŐs Bursting Bubble

ĄSaudi Arabia became self-sufficient in wheat by tapping a non-replenishable aquifer to irrigate the desert

ĄIn early 2008, the government announced the aquifer was largely depleted

ĄThe population of nearly 30 million could be entirely dependent on imported grain by 2013

Photo Credit: NASA

Wheat Production and Consumption in Saudi Arabia, 1995-2010, with Projection to 2013

Saudi Arabia is the first country to publicly project how aquifer depletion will shrink its grain harvest.