The world's arid and semiarid lands are plagued with serious environmental problems and are deteriorating in their ability to sustain conventional crops. This book offers sorely needed guidance and innovative solutions for improved land and water usage and the use of alternative new crops for food, chemicals, and energy production. The practical scientific and political recommendations suggest unique and attainable solutions not only to avert future tragedies, but to provide the economic boost of industrial raw materials production for many oppressed Third World nations trying to enter the modern world.