Joshua ratliff powerpoint presentation - desertification
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Transcript of Joshua ratliff powerpoint presentation - desertification
Desertification of the
African SahelFact or Fiction?
First: A definition.
Causes:• Destruction of indigenous plant life• Overgrazing• Overutilization• Climate change
• Transformation of a habitable land to a desert • Loss of biodiversity
Life of Poverty• Long lines for water• Lack of sustained food stocks• Livestock underfed• Shelter damaged by
sandstorms• Poor home quality
Hardships• Failing crops• Starving livestock• Lack of water• Encroachment of sand dunes• Forced relocation
Many must relocate to survive.
“The People”• Mostly nomadic herders.• Some millet and peanut farmers• Diverse and rapidly growing population
From 1970 to 1980300,000 people And 5 million livestockDied
Causes• Overutilization of land
– Livestock Overpopulation
– Increased farming• Land clearing• Increased soil
erosion/degradation
• Improper irrigation– Destruction of
natural plants for firewood/homes
– Increase in population
Causes Continued• Trend of reduced rainfall
– Reducing indigenous plant presence
– Disappearance of water sources
• Lack of preventive efforts– The people– The government
Controversy• Climate change trend
– Reduced rainfall each year– Rising ocean temperatures
• Wind erosion– Dust storms– Nitrogen cycle
“It has become clear from atmospheric modeling and observational analyses begun in the 1980s
that many aspects of Sahel rainfall variability are, in fact, controlled by sea surface temperatures
(SSTs) ” Dr. Isaac M. Held
Combating the Problem• Restoration of plant life
– Replanting of indigenous plants
– Conservation– protection
• Dune control– Fences– Grasses– Other
• Water utilization– More efficient irrigation– Storage
• Reduced erosion– Stopping waste– Regulation
• Livestock• Farming• Irrigation• Land clearing
Organizations• USDESA-DSD – National panel for funding of restoration• Sahel Opera Project – Album promoting change• International Fund for Agricultural Development – Funding program for
restoration• AOSIS • Land and Development Solutions International – Land Development• Eden Foundation – Self Sufficiency through knowledge• UNEP – Surveyors for restoration
UNEP Survey
Which Will it Be?
Or
This
?
This?