Israel is the ideal place to turn to for water research expertise. Since its independence in 1948, Israel has had to find ways to build its society and economy in one of the most water-starved places on the planet. Its game plan for surmounting water scarcity had several pillars. It built a water supply line known as the National Water Carrier that transported water from the Sea of Galilee to the rest of the country, including the barren wastelands of the Negev and Arava deserts. It ingrained water conservation deep in the population's mindset — for years, Israelis rationed their water use, and even as young children, they were taught to conserve.