Desertification
UN issues desertification warning
By Matt McGrath
BBC environment reporter
Tens of millions of people could be driven from their homes by encroaching deserts, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa and Central Asia, a report says.
The study by the United Nations University suggests climate change is making desertification “the greatest environmental challenge of our times”.
If action is not taken, the report warns that some 50 million people could be displaced within the next 10 years.
The study was produced by more than 200 experts from 25 countries.
Scarce resources
This report does not pull any punches – desertification is an environmental crisis of global proportions, it says, and one third of the Earth’s population are potential victims of its creeping effect.
This is just an excerpt from an article you can read in full at BBN News.
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Amazina
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Here There and Everywhere 
We all know what is happening.
We all are doing nothing about it.
You are right, KJ, but we need to keep thinking about it NOW, don’t you think?
Personally I already replaced most of the lights I use with the energy saving versions. I am trying to use aluminum or glass instead of plastic and, thankfully, not using the air condition as often because the building has its own inner cooling system (you have to love those new buildings)
This is a very serious issue. In yesterday’s newspapers I read that the dust in the atmosphere is affecting the polar ice caps, which in turn leads to further desertification and global warming issues.
The EPA in Kuwait have had seminars, conferences & workshops addressing this issue (I’ve attended them, used to work there.) But no real resolution has ever been taken.
As that report has said, humanity is the cause of global warming. Yet politics stand in the way of resolving this problem.
This statistic is scary: “one third of the Earth’s population are potential victims of its creeping effect.”
Didn’t there used to be an international Tree Day? (or maybe it was called Nature day, I can’t remember)
Well I think we should make it annual. Governments should give out free saplings to all its citizens and everyone should be encouraged to plant a tree in a barren land.
Ok I googled it..It was called “Earth Day”: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earth_Day
What do you know, it’s on April 22 : http://www.earthday.net/
Your article mentions “Some countries like China have embarked on tree-planting programmes to stem the advance of deserts.” Well I think it should become international and it should be sponsored by a popular international event, like world cup.
The question is, who is gonna organize it? Who will take on the responsibility?
KJ – good on ya. Everythng, every little thing, helps.
R – yes, it is so serious. And more than a little overwhelming. And, I am ashamed to say, the US not ratifying the Global Warming treaty, and not self-limiting our emissions is setting a terrible example, making us look like total hypocrites.
Magical – It used to be Arbor Day, I think, and now has become more general, but still – a great day to plant the kind of trees that counter desertification. My Kuwaiti friend pointed out a kind of native pine tree, a very fluffy kind of pine that is good in this climate. I did a post on Dire Predictions for Earth Day but don’t read it – it is depressing.