To solve the problem of rising sea levels why don't we simply irrigate the deserts?

Answer 1

Good idea and this is already happening,

In the Arabian Gulf oilfired power stations are often equipped with seawater desalination plants which produce drinkable water. It is an expensive process, but as they have a lot of oil available at the production cost (rather than the inflated(Rotterdam Market price), it is entirely practical.

There was a time a few years back, when Saddam invaded Kuwait and let the oil wells flood into the Gulf, in order to pollute and sabotage this operation, but as we do not hear anymore about it, I would guess that it has been put back into full production.

In these Gulf states, the desert is irrigated and used for planting trees and crops.

In some states , there is a lot of groundwater, and that is used in the same way, albeit, if it is drawn out too rapidly, the vacated space draws in saltwater as a replacement.

Irrigating deserts is really happening, but not all countries with deserts have the capacity to produce or pump enough water to make a significant difference. Cheers

Answer 2

Excellent idea. You aren't the only one to have thought of it. I think COSTS have a lot to do with it. The cost of desalinating the water, putting in the pipeline to the desserts etc. Then if you achieved this, the water will rise up from the ground as vapour and go into the atmosphere. There is no guarantee that the rain will fall back down onto the dessert, it is just as likely to fall back into the sea again and you are back to square one. Nevertheless, a great idea and I am glad you are giving this a great deal of thought. Well done you.

Answer 3

SEAWATER is salt water.
First you would have to desalinate the sea water. Then trasport it to an area where you want to grow crops. Is SAND a suitable soil for crops? NO.
Will your water evaporate quickly? Yes. Or will the water sink down so low in the ground (water table) that no plants can benefit from it? YES
Will the government of a country with a large desert PAY for all the water desalinization and transportation? NO.
GOOD IDEA my friend, but not economically possible.
There is plenty of food in the world. Why do some people starve?

Answer 4

The main reason it would not work is that it would not lower sea level anyway! All water poured on the land eventually runs off in rivers or evaporates and rains back somewhere else and ultimately ends up back in the sea! The only way to lower world sea level is to FREEZE the water permanently on the land. That is what glaciers are, frozen water trapped on the land. And that is the problem with global warming. It melts that ice allowing it to flow down to the sea.

Answer 5

Simply?

Many deserts used to be seas and forests by the way, long before man.

Irrigate the desert with Salt Water?

Might be easier to just build artificial rain clouds and icebergs, seriously.

Answer 6

Irrigate with salt water?

Answer 7

u can irrigate to desert. but how long u can live there can u get facilities like here.and deserts all expnding every day. so if there is long blow of wind.it will also cause some disturbance to u.life is short .so let us enjoy it in our own place.

Answer 8

'Why don't we simply irrigate the deserts?'

What with? Salt water? We would then have wet salt-deserts!!

Answer 9

I think thats a really good idea or what they should do is just build massives dams around the coasts and get everybody of the dole to build them

Answer 10

and how do you suggest we divert the seas to just the bits of coast with deserts on?