Yes, many ideas, but one interesting one that applies to deserts close to seas, is the "seawater greenhouse"
News | Sundrop Farms
Unlike many other methods that involve withdrawing water from deep subsurface aquifers, or diverting rivers etc - this approach evaporates the sea water using sunlight - and creates an excess of fresh water which waters the land around the greenhouse and actually replenishes deep aquifers.
While at the same time the evaporating sea water helps to keep the greenhouse cool in the hot climate. It's a win win situation and doesn't seem to be anything not to like about it :).
News | Sundrop Farms
Unlike many other methods that involve withdrawing water from deep subsurface aquifers, or diverting rivers etc - this approach evaporates the sea water using sunlight - and creates an excess of fresh water which waters the land around the greenhouse and actually replenishes deep aquifers.
While at the same time the evaporating sea water helps to keep the greenhouse cool in the hot climate. It's a win win situation and doesn't seem to be anything not to like about it :).
About the Author
Robert Walker
Writer of articles on Mars and Space issues - Software Developer of Tune Smithy, Bounce Metronome etc.Studied at Wolfson College, Oxford
Lives in Isle of Mull
4.8m answer views110.4k this month
Top Writer2017, 2016, and 2015
Published WriterHuffPost, Slate, and 4 moreHuffPost, Slate, Forbes, Newsweek, Business Insider, and Science 2.0