Climate and Desertification: Looking at an Old Problem through New Lenses

Global poverty, defined in almost any way, is disproportionately concentrated in the dry lands of the world. We suggest that the intrinsic biophysical features of these environments, interacting with social systems that are now no longer appropriate for the changing environment, lead to widespread situations where people living in drylands are trapped in a downward spiral of environmental degradation and loss of human wellbeing. Externally-driven changes in both the social and physical environment, ranging from trade rules to global climate change contribute to this syndrome. The resultant destabilization of regional climates, ecosystems, hydrological systems and the social fabric has consequences for neighboring lands and the global community. A much more holistic set of interventions, including both local and global actors, is needed to reverse the negative trends.

VERSTRAETE Michel;  SCHOLES Robert;  STAFFORD SMITH Mark; 

2009-10-28

ECOLOGICAL SOC AMER

JRC47883

1540-9295,   

http://www.esajournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1890/080119,    https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC47883,   

10.1890/080119,