Sustainable living in arid lands is the goal of many. However, few people living in and understanding the parameters of arid environments can claim to have truly mastered it. Science and technology have the potential to significantly enhance the livelihoods of people living in arid lands. To strengthen the effective application of scientific insights and contemporary technologies, the active involvement of those who apply and use the benefits offered by science and technology is required. Ranging from integrated land and water resource management, to the application of renewable energy and energy efficiency, and local level monitoring of rangeland conditions, scientists and technologists have to address the vastly different components required to 'live sustainably'. To be successful they need to tailor their research activities and communicate their findings in a way that can be understood and readily implemented by communities living in arid lands. The challenges of making the necessary connections between science and technology agendas on the one hand and their effective implementation in arid lands on the other is explored. The findings of this paper are supported by several southern African case studies. Keywords: sustainable living, arid lands, Communication of science and technology applications.