Deserts and Drylands

Home , Desertification, Drylands, Eco 4 the World

Our Planet Volume 17 No 1 The magazine of the United Nations Environment Programme

deserts and Drylands

Abdelaziz Bouteflika Answering Cries of despair

Cherif Rahmani Don’t desert drylands

Cristina Narbona Regaining Ground

Jacques Diouf Thirsty Land, Untapped Opportunity

Hama Arba Diallo Seizing the Chance

Fannie Mutepfa Desertification has a woman’s face Our Planet Our Planet www.ourplanet.com

20 Need a Fresh New Start environment and cultures it visits. Masse Lo, Regional Programme But sensitively managed, it can Director of LEAD Francophone deliver sustainable livelihoods and Africa, and Oussouby Toure From the desk of a new generation of fans of the desert world. 22 Only Connect Shafqat These are among the findings Sara J. Scherr, President at of UNEP’s Global Deserts Outlook being launched on this year’s Ecoagriculture Partners, and Mark Edwards/StillPictures Kakakhel World Environment Day to mark Claire Rhodes the UN International Year of Deputy Executive Director 9 seizing the Chance 24 Dry Knowledge, Deserts and Desertification. This year’s slogan for the Day is ‘Don’t Hama Arba Diallo, Executive Lively Enterprise and Officer in Charge of Desert Drylands’ and the main Secretary of the United Nations Mark Stafford Smith, Desert UNEP Convention to Combat celebrations are in Algeria. Knowledge Cooperative Research Desertification is one of the Desertification Centre, Alice Springs, Australia hardest and most intractable environmental problems. Thirty- 11 People unep 26 Cutting Through Confusions six countries are affected by it, James F Reynolds, or by land degradation, in Africa 12 Don’t Desert Dryland Peoples Micheal Scott Lees/Unep/StillPictures Professor of Environmental he world’s deserts, covering like the fabled phoenix, into short- alone, and an estimated 75 per Philip Dobie, Director of the Sciences and Biology, Duke a fifth of its land surface, lived but highly productive life after cent of the continent’s farmland is UNDP Drylands Development 3 editorial University, North Carolina, USA Tconjure up many emotions, rain. rapidly losing the basic nutrients Centre, Nairobi needed to grow crops. Some Shafqat Kakakhel, Deputy many contradictory ideas. Hardship Such super-fast growth and 28 Greening Desert and romance, bareness and awe- massive seed production – so estimate the cost of this loss – in Executive Director and Officer in 14 Desertification Nadia El-Awady, Managing Science inspiring beauty. essential for survival – has made some of the poorest countries on Charge of UNEP Has a Woman’s Face Editor, IslamOnline.net and The driest places on Earth, they many dryland plants the basis of Earth – as $4 billion a year. Fannie Mutepfa, International 4 Answering Cries of Despair President, Arab Association of are home to 350 million people agricultural societies. Wheat and Coordinator, Great Limpopo and some of the rarest and most barley evolved from desert annuals Traditional wisdom Abdelaziz Bouteflika, President Science Journalists Transfrontier Park and member curious species known. Culturally in the Near- East some 7,000-9,000 of the Democratic and Popular of the board, Environmental Poverty is a primary driving force 30 Art for the Environment and spiritually they stand in the years in the past, as did maize and Republic of Algeria Management Agency, Zimbabwe centre of at least two of the great squash in southern Mexico around behind the process. It forces many 31 Achim Steiner religions. The desert was the six millennia ago. Experts believe farmers to cultivate marginal 5 Don’t Desert Drylands 16 Filling in The Gaps land continuously, without fallow New Executive Director Unep backdrop to the life and teachings other food crops are waiting to be Cherif Rahmani, Minister Timo Maukonen, Senior of the Prophet Muhammed, while discovered in these unique natural periods, thus crippling it. We of Environment of Algeria must urgently break this cycle by Programme Officer, UNEP-DEWA 32 Trees are Life Jesus was tempted by the Devil in laboratories. one such wilderness. Chemicals and pharma- offering alternative livelihoods Arwa Omary, 13, Lebanon 6 Gaining Ground 17 At a Glance: ceuticals, derived from micro- and regaining traditional land management and wisdom Cristina Narbona, Minister of the Deserts and Drylands Climate change algae and medicinal plants that Environment, Spain thrive in the year-round high solar – and through direct measures 18 Star Profile: HristoS toichkov For some, deserts mean black radiation, are emerging onto global like promoting agroforestry 8 Thirsty Land, gold: half the world’s oil comes markets. many scientists suspect and harnessing the abilities of earthworms, beetles, fungi, untapped Opportunity 19 Books and Products from them and three – quarters that, given the unique evolutionary Jacques Diouf, Director- Mark Edwards/StillPictures of oil reserves lie beneath their history of many desert plants, their bacteria, and other organisms to boost the fertility of the soil. General of the UN Food and Also available on the internet at sands. For others they offer the real pharmaceutical potential has opportunity of a low carbon, or even yet to be realized. Otherwise the desert margins Agriculture Organization www.ourplanet.com carbon-free, world, controlling Deserts are even being used for – where the drylands and the climate change: makers of solar fish farms. Shrimp are being grown desert lands meet – will continue in the high temperatures of the to witness an unsustainable The contents of this magazine do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of UNEP or the editors, nor thermal power plants claim there Our Planet is enough solar radiation hitting Arizona desert in the United States. battle, with tragic long-term , the magazine of the are they an official record. The designations employed and the presentation do not imply the expressions, consequences for both their United Nations Environment opinion whatsoever on the part of UNEP concerning the legal status of any country, territory or city or just one per cent of their surface to And pilot projects in India’s desert Programme (UNEP) its authority, concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. The non-copyrighted contents of meet the whole world’s needs. state of Rajasthan have found its ecosystems and their peoples n PO Box 30552 Nairobi, Kenya this magazine may be reprinted without charge provided that Our Planet and the authors or photographer Desert ecosystems support saline water – which hinders crop Tel: (254 20)621 234 concerned are credited as the source and the editors are notified in writing and sent a voucher copy. growth – ideal for the purpose. Your Views Fax: (254 20)623 927 the growing understanding that Our Planet e-mail: [email protected] welcomes articles, reviews, illustrations and photos for publication but cannot guarantee the environment is not a luxury, We would like to receive your feed- www.unep.org that they will be published. Unsolicited manuscripts, photographs and artwork will not be returned. but a key factor in overcoming Desert romance back on the issues raised on this Subscriptions: If you wish to receive Our Planet on a regular basis and are not currently on the mailing poverty and an economic basis edition of Our Planet. Please either ISSN 101-7394 list, please contact Mani Kebede, Circulation Manager, Our Planet for subscription details giving your for livelihoods, true sustainable The romance of the desert – e-mail: [email protected] name and address and your preferred language (English, French or Spanish). Change of address: Please fueled by such classic literature Director of Publication: Eric Falt send your address label together with your new address to Mani Kebede, Circulation Manager Our Planet development. or write to: as the Thousand and One Nights Editor: Geoffrey Lean UNEP, PO Box 30552 Nairobi, Kenya. Their often harsh and arid Feedback, Our Planet Coordinators: Naomi Poulton, Elisabeth Waechter conditions have spawned animals or Arabian Nights and films like Division of Communications and Special Contributor: Nick Nuttall * All dollar ($) amounts refer to US dollars. and plants uniquely adapted Lawrence of Arabia – increasingly Public Information, UNEP Circulation Manager: Manyahleshal Kebede to them. Flora in a variety of attracts tourists. Tourism can be Design: Sharon Chemai UNEP promotes environmentally friendly practices globally and in its own PO Box 30552, Nairobi Production: UNEP/DCPI fantastical forms – sometimes able a damaging extractive industry, activities.This magazine is printed on 100% recycled, chlorine free paper. Kenya Front cover: Frans Lemmens/StillPictures to lie dormant for years – burst, consuming and subsuming the

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endure daily hardship and an uncertain future. We must face of State and Government during the World Summit held in up to the fact that the sometimes irreversible degradation New York in September 2005. of cultural, natural and agricultural heritage, of fragile All our efforts aim to sustainably reinforce our common ecosystems and biodiversity, the rapid spread of deserts, as efforts towards the development of human rights, a healthy well as inadequate international response and local efforts environment, a decent and fulfilled life and a global, real, to combat desertification, aggravate conditions of poverty and sustainable development, for all. It is therefore our duty across the world, deepening the crisis on a global scale. to unite and consolidate our efforts and means and to make In 2005 in San Francisco, under the slogan ‘Green Cities: them work for our common conviction, that of a common Plant for the Planet’, we were invited to adopt accords for future, for the generations of today and tomorrow and for the creation of a network of cities striving for a sustainable their legitimate right to live on a protected and safe planet. Urban Environment. This year, we call for the adoption of Let this World Environment Day be an opportunity a World Charter on Deserts and to Combat Desertification for us all to be messengers of world peace and harmony, to mark World Environment Day and the closing of messengers of hope for the future – that of our children and the International Year of Deserts and Desertification. that of our planet n In this way, we hope to contribute to achieving some of the Millennium Development Goals, goals which were H.E. Abdelaziz Bouteflika is President of the Democratic reinforced and renewed by the decisions made by Heads and Popular Republic of Algeria. Cherif Rahmani: Don’t desert drylands Frans Lemmens/StillPictures his slogan, in the form of an urgent call to action, defines the context in which World Environment Day 2006 will be celebrated. My country is delighted to host WED 2006 on the African Algeria, my country, is honoured to have been chosen by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) as host of this Tday. Algeria is doubly honoured, first and foremost because the majority of its territory comprises desert and also because, by continent, large sections of which are covered by deserts choosing Algeria, it is the whole of Africa that is honoured. and drylands, making it the most affected by and most Answering cries This year, the theme builds on Resolution 58/211 under which the General Assembly of the United Nations proclaimed 2006 vulnerable to the devastating consequences of the alarming International Year of Deserts and Desertification. This decision represents a welcome outcome of the multifaceted steps taken by my degradation of fertile soils. Persistent and cyclical droughts, country on deserts, initiated and developed for many years, but that has certainly experienced a revival since the year 2000. frequent natural disasters, poverty, migration, and other Many efforts, many initiatives and many plans of action have thus been successful. Algeria has committed itself, resolutely and of despair dramatic aspects of underdevelopment have had numerous consistently, to policies that not only mobilize but unify as well. Under the innovative environmental policies initiated by His Excellency consequences that cannot be confined to narrow national Abdelaziz Bouteflika, President of the Republic, we have developed and conclusively and visibly expanded on the commitments made Abdelaziz Bouteflika and regional contexts and spaces because they go beyond during the Summits on the Environment and Sustainable Development of Rio then Johannesburg, as well as the UN’s Summit on the on World the political and natural borders of nation states. These Environment Day calls for a charter on deserts Millennium Development Goals. We have also tried, and often succeeded, at our level, to encourage partnerships and mediums of numerous consequences have in fact been underlined on cooperation and dialogue at a regional and international level, while always ensuring that our approach respected common principles, and desertification many occasions by the Secretary-General of the United such as those pertaining to “shared but differentiated responsibility”. Should one not therefore, consider that by choosing Algeria as Nations, Kofi Annan. the focal point for the celebrations in 2006, the aspirations and very valid expectations awakened by the UN Resolution declaring this the International Year of Deserts and Desertification to have been consecrated? lgeria is greatly honoured to have been chosen by the Combating desertification It is in any case justifiable that we once again declare ourselves honoured by this selection, in as much as the Resolution was United Nations Environment Programme to host the adopted following the initiative taken by my country and that of the Fondation Déserts du Monde created under the patronage of H. E. A2006 World Environment Day celebrations. We are The New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) – Abdelaziz Bouteflika. particularly proud to have been chosen, as this year’s focus a unique and innovative African initiative of which Algeria I have the pleasure and the privilege to reaffirm here, in my capacity of Ambassador, Honorary Spokesperson of the UN for the 2006 is on deserts and desertification. is one of the key instigators – is, without a doubt, a resolute commemoration, how seriously we take the demands of the mission we have been given. The official slogan for WED 2006, ‘Don’t Desert and responsible response to the major challenges that the We must first give back hope to the millions of people in drylands. Hope alone, however, can not satisfy expectations when survival Drylands’, addresses sustainable development in the continent faces today. With a wealth of natural and human is often the prime issue. We not only feel concern at the often chronic material poverty in which entire communities are sinking in deserts. In order to respond to the concerns and expectations potential, often little or badly used, Africa must face the desert and semidesert regions. of many countries on this issue, the UN General Assembly challenges of globalisation, especially those related to better Their poverty is, in our view, the supreme issue. And it is there that we draw on the reasons for our actions and our commitment. adopted, at Algeria’s instigation, Resolution 58/211, which governance and steady and sustainable development, the Algeria will host a high level meeting at the end of the year, in the context of the International Year on Deserts and Desertification. established 2006 as the International Year of Deserts and principal pillar of which is the environmental dimension. The meeting will take stock of all that was warmly and generously thought of and retained concerning deserts and its people. This Desertification. Combating desertification, conservation – and the integrated will be the crowning achievement, not only suggested but also programmed, of a series of actions throughout the months that make and rational development of arid, semiarid, mountainous up this symbolic year. The fight against desertification is an unending one. The fight against poverty is an imperative one, which now Natural disasters and forest areas, preserving water resources and reducing categorically forces itself upon us. poverty are therefore key objectives that must be quickly So what territory in reality is touched by our action? It is obviously the planet as a whole. For, if deserts only appear here and there Through its dual role as host country of World Environment addressed, in order to put an end to the devastating impacts in man’s view, the heart of human sensitivity, on the other hand, resides everywhere. Day and as the official ‘voice’ for the 2006 International of underdevelopment on the continent. We must speak up everywhere in favour of the deserts and the populations that inhabit them and that have formed such extraordinary Year of Deserts and Desertification, Algeria is receiving On the occasion of World Environment Day, the civilizations, such extraordinary cultures! international acknowledgement for its efforts towards international community is called upon to reflect on We must sensitize man everywhere because where man’s heart and spirit are conquered, they put themselves at the service of the causes environmental protection and balanced and sustainable the possibility of forging a sustainable partnership, that have moved them positively. development, as well as its wide and varied activities aimed responsible and innovative, which should be able to Let us always remember that we are at the service of one slogan: Don’t desert drylands! Because that slogan puts us at the service n at protecting the environment. Algeria is keen to establish contribute effectively to the success of this exemplary of those who, though possibly unaware of our efforts, nonetheless and paradoxically, expect much from us an international, innovative and sincere partnership, based African initiative in Eco-Development. In so doing, it H. E. Cherif Rahmani is Minister of Environment of Algeria. He is also President of the Foundation ‘Deserts du Monde’ and Honorary

on the principles of fairness, solidarity and common will be answering the cries of despair, the aspirations and ▲ responsibility. expectations of nations and peoples who must cruelly Spokesperson of the UN International Year of Deserts and Desertification.

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on Desertification (NAPD), analysing interactions with be done to defend and protect mountain areas against managed by universities and research centres under strategic planning structures. This demonstrated the pests, diseases and damage arising from drought and agreements with the Department of Biodiversity. It was coherence between the principles and actions proposed other adverse climatic conditions. established in 1995 to coordinate and better use studies in the NAPD and such sectoral plans as: the Spanish by various research since the 1980s, and provides Forestry Plan and regional forestry planning; the National Water policy ‘in situ’, continuous and detailed monitoring of the Water Plan and Water Basin Plans; the programmes essential mechanisms of desertification. One and a half of regional and rural development; and the National Water policy combats desertification by mitigating the million euros will be allocated to its maintenance in Irrigation Plan. The Convention’s principles have also effects of drought, and managing groundwater and 2006–2008. been integrated into agro-environmental requirements the salinization of soils by irrigation systems. River ■ Assessment of action to combat desertification, for receiving aid under the Common Agrarian Policy, a basin authorities have prepared special action plans demonstrating useful techniques to apply to affected new Law on Mountains, planning orders to rehabilitate for emergencies and possible drought, and a global areas, and disseminating available strategies and overexploited aquifers, plans for drought management, system of water resources indicators. The Ministries of restoration methods in Spain and other member and other broader areas, such as rural development Environment and Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, have countries of Annex IV of UNFCCD. Its allocation will be policy. established a National Drought Observatory as a centre 380,000 euros. of knowledge to forecast, mitigate and monitor its ■ The National Soils Erosion Inventory, which updates Strategic planning effects. The Agrarian Administration provides drought the map of the state of erosion in the entire country insurance cover for the main arid area crops. drawn up between 1986 and 2002. Maps of 13 provinces The diagnosis showed that much had been done in the Managing and protecting groundwater is to be have been published, six more are being prepared, and past, but that policies and actions had been dispersed incorporated into water resource planning, while a work is about to begin on a further four provinces. The because issues of soil and water resources affect many Groundwater Action Plan should be prepared for each allocation will be 3 million euros. sectors. This underlines the importance of coordinating river basin to facilitate sustainable use. Under the Water ■ Establishing a system of indicators of desertification policies under the NAPD, essential if harmonized Act, every basin plan must contain planning for water, in Spain. Once their selection and definitions are solutions are to be found, and harmful land-use conflicts forestry and soil conservation, and should include completed, they will be applied to specific cases. avoided. protective action for catchment areas and for regulating A register and database describing all the sectors A wide range of diverse measures have been taken the water cycle. The National Water Plan incorporates linked to combating desertification is being prepared in farmland, forests and water resource management, this, while the National Irrigation Plan contains and meetings and workshops arranged to promote their covering research and development, monitoring and environmental criteria for land and water management assimilation and technological improvement. Materials Lior Rubin/StillPictures evaluation, and awareness raising. to prevent land degradation, restore aquifers and are being published, and exhibitions held. A network Eco-friendly regulations have integrated environ- reduce the processes of desertification. There is also a of demonstration projects is being set up to cover mental considerations into farm policy on prices and programme for environmental monitoring of irrigation, restoration and sustainable management of the affected markets, with a range of preventative requirements to track the changes in its effects and possible remedial areas: this identifies, formulates and develops a group Regaining and practices against unrestrained desertification. The measures. of projects, and shows the technical, environmental programme of agro-environmental measures – which and economic feasibility of proposals for managing, obliges all farmers to follow a code of good practices Research and development using and/or restoring land involved in combating – has been consolidated and has proved to be a useful desertification. instrument in combating desertification. And there have Spain has a large and varied research community Spain is to hold two major meetings to study all G ro u n d been positive results from another programme which studying desertification. The main studies were first aspects of desertification in greater depth. The Second Cristina Narbona describes a developed offers incentives for reforestation, especially in marginal undertaken in the 1970s: many were part of the LUCDEME International Symposium on Desertification and country’s experience of desertification and the areas. Project while others were carried out by universities Migrations will be held in Almeria from 25 to 27 October measures it has taken to combat the problem The Spanish Forestry Plan – whose objectives, and the Higher Council of Scientific Research. Since 2006, marking the International Year of Deserts and priorities and action guidelines are integrated with 1986, all these efforts have been incorporated into the Desertification. And in autumn 2007 we will host the regional plans and strategies – aims to protect soils National Research and Development Plan. Autonomous UNCCD’s eighth Conference of the Parties ■ against erosion and desertification, regulate water communities and the European Union also devote s a developed country affected by desertification, sources and supply, and undertake dynamic planning attention to these matters. Cristina Narbona is Minister of the Environment, Spain. Spain has been at the forefront of the struggle of water basins, focused on sustainable management of Various instruments for assessing, monitoring and Aagainst it for well over a hundred years. It started resources. making inventories of areas affected by desertification restoring degraded land areas in the second half of the These activities are co-financed by the European are outlined in the working document of the National nineteenth century. Since then a tenth of the country Union, while the Department of Biodiversity will invest Action Plan. The Department of Biodiversity is – some five million hectares of land – are estimated to some 80 million euros in the Plan in 2005–2008: responsible for: have been reforested to protect soils and regulate the this year 10 million euros will be spent on urgently ■ The soils maps of the LUCDEME Project, which help water cycle. restoring areas affected by forest fires. Each of the plan restoration or rehabilitation in areas affected by Spain was the first industrialised country to act on planning instruments used – the “National Soils Erosion desertification, and are essential for preparing maps the recommendations of the 1977 Nairobi Conference Inventory”, the “Forestry Map”, and the “Planned priority showing the capacity of use and vulnerability of any on Desertification, drawing up the Programme of Action activities for water-forestry restoration, erosion control given territory. They have been drawn up since 1985 for the Mediterranean Shore the following year. Three and defence against desertification” – sets out a basic in collaboration between the universities and the years later it started implementing the United Nations range of activities, defines priority areas, puts forward Higher Council for Scientific Research. 142 maps now Action Plan to Combat Desertification through its proposals and appraises possible actions. cover13.93 per cent of the country and will be expanded LUCDEME Project, which still continues. It then took Among other measures in this field, a Plan of Control in the medium term to cover all affected provinces. an active part in negotiating the Convention to Combat of Forest Resources will provide sustainable forest More than 450,000 euros will be spent on mapping and Desertification (UNCCD) and its annex on implementing management. Over 16 million euros will be invested digitalization in 2006–2007. it in the Northern Mediterranean. to improve facilities for preventing, observing and ■ The network of experimental monitoring and It made a detailed diagnosis of desertification in extinguishing forest fires, and for providing preventive assessment of erosion and desertification (of the ▲

the country through its National Action Programme sylviculture and awareness campaigns. And work will LUCDEME Project) has 46 experimental stations, Otto Stadler/StillPictures

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the country through its National Action Programme sylviculture and awareness campaigns. And work will LUCDEME Project) has 46 experimental stations, Otto Stadler/StillPictures

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16 countries in the region amount to less than 500 cubic meters per person per year, compared to the global average Thirsty Land of almost 7,000 cubic meters. Irrigation has always been crucial to agriculture in this region, where water resources are often exploited beyond their replenishment capacity. Moreover, growing urban and industrial demand for water associated with high population growth means a gradual reduction in the volume of water available to agriculture. Untapped Opportunity Any increase in agricultural productivity requires an Jacques Diouf says that drought and water scarcity is the greatest threat to global improvement in irrigation technologies and a diversification food production, and calls for greater investment in water control in production towards crops with high added value. Other components of good water management in this part of the world are the recycling of treated waste waters and a better orld food supply is still at the whim of the weather. control of soil drainage and salinity. Eighty per cent of the world’s food crises are Wlinked to water and especially to drought. The Food security

chronic vulnerability of people in Africa’s Sahel zone Schytte/StillPictures Jorgen demonstrates this fact time and again – last year in Niger, Small-scale water harnessing, irrigation and drainage works today in the Horn of Africa. carried out at rural community level with local labour are With 852 million chronically hungry people in the effective, low-cost water control options. Water harvesting world today and world population expected to grow by an – collecting water in structures ranging from furrows to additional 2 billion people by 2030, feeding this growing small dams – allows farmers to conserve rainwater and Seizing population and reducing hunger will only be possible direct it to crops. And localized methods such as drip if agricultural yields can be increased significantly. irrigation, which direct water only where it is needed, are And increased food production will depend largely on more efficient than flooding fields and using sprinklers. investment in the control of water, the cornerstone of The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has been agricultural development. promoting simple, low-cost water control technologies, Irrigation, which currently provides only about 10 such as those through its Special Programme for Food the Chance

per cent of agricultural water, plays a crucial role in Security, which supports localized actions in over 100 Hama Arba Diallo calls for urgent action crop production, especially in arid or semi-arid regions. countries to strengthen agriculture and improve living to tackle one of the greatest causes of poverty When rains are weak or erratic, irrigation can ensure crop conditions in rural communities. Since 1995, $800 million and conflict production and allow farmers to invest in more productive provided by donors and national governments have been invested in programmes designed by FAO to improve food agriculture, which means not only greater food security and wenty-first century adults, like us, can only marvel better nutrition for rural populations, but also job creation security. at the magnitude of technological change that has and increased earnings and trade opportunities. Vast potential Tswept us along in its wake. At the same time – as Productivity from irrigated land is about three times city populations grow apace – more and more of us live in higher than from rainfed land. Today, irrigation covers environments where nature plays little role and seems about 20 per cent of the world’s cropland, but irrigated land Large-scale public irrigation schemes, which represent the of equally little regard. It is out of sight, and therefore contributes 40 per cent of total food production. bulk of the world’s irrigation, have contributed to alleviate out of mind. Yet we depend more than we sometimes In Africa, only seven per cent of the arable land is poverty and boost agricultural production in Asia, the care to realize on the web of life of which we are a part. irrigated, compared with 38 per cent in Asia. Africa uses Near East and parts of Latin America. In a context of rapid Television, that potent symbol of modern technology, less than six per cent of its renewable water resources, economic development, these ageing systems face the delivers the stark evidence. Images of droughts, floods compared with 20 per cent in Asia. challenge of modernization: upgraded infrastructures and and forest fires are beamed into our homes with ever- increased flexibility and reliability of water services are increasing frequency, alongside debilitating images of Rural infrastructure required to meet the needs of agriculture in transition. poverty that are seemingly at odds with our modern In all cases, considerable public and private investment world of plenty. They remind us of the price to be paid Approximately 40 per cent of Africa’s commercial food in infrastructure, technology and the development of farmer for ignoring the environment that sustains us. import bill (which was $16 billion in 2003) comprises capacity for water management is still needed if we are to staples – wheat, maize, rice, and sugar – as traditional increase food production in a sustainable way and meet the Social implications rainfed production has been unable to match food demand, target set by the World Food Summit of reducing by half particularly from the rapidly expanding urban centres. the number of hungry people by 2015. Desertification, or land degradation, is one of the most alarming processes of environmental degradation. Management of Africa’s water resources to improve Improved agricultural water control is a growth engine Though partly due to climate change, it is primarily both rainfed and irrigated production and investment in for rural development – enhancing food security and improving nutrition, creating jobs and revitalizing local the result of such human-induced factors as over- associated rural infrastructure is therefore the only sensible cultivation, over-grazing and deforestation. Contrary to markets. As the demand for food continues to grow with alternative to rising food import bills. According to the widespread belief, it is a truly global phenomenon with Commission for Africa’s report Our Common Interest, $2 rising population and incomes, we cannot afford to leave n serious economic and social implications. billion of investment will be needed each year to develop this vast potential untapped The international community recognised the urgent water control for agriculture in Africa. need to combat desertification at the 1992 Rio Earth The Near East is the world’s most arid region with Jacques Diouf is Director-General of the Food and ▲

Summit. The UN Convention to Combat Desertification▲ the highest levels of water deficit. Water resources in Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. (UNCCD) was adopted two years later as an international Mark Edwards/StillPictures Our Planet Our Planet

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ikhail Gorbachev is one of force behind the philosophy of “thinking globally and acting seven ‘green leaders’ celebrated locally” posthumously won the award for Latin America and Cas the 2006 Champions of the the Caribbean. “Her steadfast, committed and selfl ess work Earth by UNEP. The awards, presented has been vital for fostering the notion of sustainability and for the second time, recognise prominent for raising the environmental awareness of and inspirational environmental leaders Cubans” said the citation. from each region of the world. ohamed El-Ashry of Egypt Mr Gorbachev received the award – a champion for the wise use of for Europe on 21 April – at a gala Cnatural resources and a former event hosted by UNEP, the Singapore head of the Global Environment Facility Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources and the – was presented with the award for West Singapore Tourism Board – for being “a champion in the Asia after more than 35 years of protecting field of international environmental politics and for confl ict the environment through a career spanning prevention on waterways globally.” academia, public sector institutions, non-governmental His citation described how “as President of the former organizations, think tanks, and international institutions. USSR, he made policy changes aimed at halting the worst he award for North America went to a group contamination and destruction in the country – changes – The Women’s Environment and Development Pictures such as closing thousands of heavily polluting factories and JOrganization (WEDO) – which for over 15 years has preventing a major scheme to divert the rivers of Siberia.” championed women’s economic, social and gender rights and It noted his foundation of Green Cross International and has been a beacon for the empowerment of women across the Edwards/Still his work with the organization on water confl ict prevention environment and development debate. Established in 1990 initiatives in the Middle East, Africa, South America, Central Mark by former U.S. Congresswoman Bella Abzug and feminist Europe, and in his own native river basin, activist and journalist Mim Kelber, it the Volga. continues to galvanize the energy and ewolde Berhan Gebre Egziabher spirit of women worldwide for a healthy of Ethiopia, a champion against and peaceful planet. Jthe patenting of life forms and n addition, Massoumeh Ebtekar, for community rights, was given the Iran’s first female vice-president and award for Africa. He was commended ?a champion of cleaner production in for having “built a strong group of well- the petrochemical industry, was awarded prepared African negotiators with united, a special prize. The citation says that strong and progressive positions” at such biodiversity-related her “philosophy that sustainable development depends on fora as the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Food maintaining the balance between economic growth and and Agriculture Organization and for “encouraging African environmental concerns is one that the United Nations countries to develop and implement community rights, a shares”. common position on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual laus Toepfer, UNEP’s outgoing Executive Director, Property Rights, and a clear stance against patents on life” said at the announcement of the winners in late March. he award for Asia and the Pacific A“A renaissance in environmental politics and policy was presented to Tommy Koh for needs the long-term commitment and vision of men and Jhis contributions to the cause of women. It needs people who have been and continue to be the environment by chairing the main Champions of the Earth.” committee and preparatory committee of The ceremony was held with the support of sponsors and the 1992 Earth Summit and for spending a partners including the Asia Pacific Resources International decade helping to negotiate the landmark Holdings (APRIL), the Lien Foundation and Nanyang 1982 UN Convention Technological University. Other supporters include: CNN on the Law of the Sea, being elected Fortune, Time, Eco 4 The World Foundation, Singapore President of the negotiating conference in Environment Council, Channel News Asia and Today. its critical final year. No monetary reward is attached to the prize. Each laureate osa Elena Simeon Negrin of receives a trophy made of recycled metal especially designed

Cuba, a champion of small island by the Kenyan sculptor Kioko, representing the fundamental ▲ ■ Hdeveloping states and a regional elements for life on Earth – sun, air, land and water && && Our Planet Our Planet

Human development, however, is not a story not of capitulation to the vagaries of nature: it is one Don’t desert of innovation and adaptability overcoming natural obstacles. There is no reason to believe that we cannot similarly overcome the dryland peoples challenges of the next century. But time is running out for the world Philip Dobie says that good government, which supports to recognize that environmental management is not a luxury for rich the people of the drylands, is the most important element countries, but a prerequisite for in beating desertification and hunger development. Taking care of the environment illions of people in the Horn of Africa were moving relentlessly is a vital component of poverty Africa face abject starvation south. The new science of satellite alleviation and is necessary for the Mthis year. The rains have photography revealed an expanding sustainable development of the failed again and their livestock are Sahara Desert. But recent work in Earth. Humans can develop the dying. They have nothing to sell to the Sahel has shown both that the technologies that will reduce our raise money for food, and unless desert is now retreating, and that current abusive rate of resource use. food aid arrives quickly, their future enterprising farmers have improved We need to manage our ecosystems is bleak. Desperate famine is also their management of the soil so much better to maintain the services endemic in many other parts of much, that productivity is increasing they provide – adequate water, clean the world. Understandably people and food production has improved water, clean air, good soil, and much believe it is inevitable. beyond all expectations. more. In the same way, economists looked at famines in India in the Market opportunities Immediate attention 1950s and deduced that no amount of assistance could save the country Meanwhile, studies in Kenya and Environmentalists have failed from starvation and decline. Food elsewhere have confounded experts to convince the economists who production was stagnant and the who predicted that increasing set development priorities that population was growing: nothing population density would inevitably Shehzad Noorani/Still Pictures environmental management is an investment, not a cost. Yet millions could prevent disaster. But an lead to over-using of land and to usually starve not because there stores and access to the meat of starving people in the poorest unknown scientist, Norman Borlaug, desertification. In fact people revelled is no food, but because they are so markets for the dry livestock- Population growth and parts of the world suffer from the either never heard the doomsters, in the new market opportunities poor and politically marginalized producing areas; agricultural consumption are together environmental excesses of others or ignored them, and set about presented by more people, and that they cannot afford to buy it. diversification and market support leading to a scarcity of creating high-yielding varieties of began to use the land much more for semi-arid parts. It can work if resources that could and from development decisions that wheat. In collaboration with Indian carefully. It became apparent that Development failure the policies are right. Recently, Mali limit economic and social continue to isolate and impoverish scientists – under the leadership the real enemy of development was became Africa’s largest producer development them. They will be the first to suffer from changes in the world’s climate, of M.S. Swaminathan – he brought not nature, but wrong policies that Similarly, drought – apparently of cotton. It is of very high quality, and should be the first to receive about the Green Revolution. He assumed that people were helpless. the cause of all of the ailments in great international demand; yet more as they become richer. help to adapt. They need immediate won the Nobel Peace Prize, and Wherever governments have put of the drylands – should be seen Mali’s cotton farmers are being Population growth and consumption attention to protect the sources of India progressed to become an their weight behind their people not so much as a meteorological driven to ruin by cheap subsidized are together leading to a scarcity of their water, to improve the state of emerging economic giant. Since and helped them to make the most phenomenon, as a failure of cotton from OECD countries. resources that could limit economic their soils and the conditions of their then, scientists and farmers around of their environments, lives have development. There is every reason and social development. The goal rangelands. They need improved the world have continued to prove improved. to believe that even the driest parts Better livelihoods of sustainable development could livestock breeds and enhanced crop the sceptics wrong. In China and Latin America, of Africa should be able to produce become even more elusive. varieties that can use water more hunger is now a thing of the past. livestock as profitably as the even So, will better international and Water, already in short supply efficiently. Enterprising farmers Adults there show signs of being drier Australia. The semi-arid zones national policies lead to better in poor and dry parts of the world, Above all, they need decision- shorter than they should be, because of the world could produce crops to productivity, better incomes and will become even scarcer in the makers to stop treating them as The people of the world’s drylands they had hungry childhoods. But compare with the equivalently dry better livelihoods? The answer is near future. Over-use by agriculture hopeless welfare cases, but as face the greatest development their children are growing normally, North American prairies. probably “yes” – but Malthusian has caused water tables to fall people who have lived with difficult challenges. They survive in areas because they are better fed. We should be shifting investment pressures threaten all the catastrophically around the world, conditions for millennia. A blend of where rainfall can be as little as one The famine-torn parts of the rather than food aid into the dry development improvements of the while deforestation has reduced the good policy and good environmental tenth of the level in highly productive world contrast with those where it zones: veterinary services, cold last generation. flow from watersheds to plains. Our management will ensure that their agricultural zones. Rain also tends has been cured not so much in terms Although population growth has growing dependence on fossil fuels is children, like the rest of us, can to be erratic – with frequent droughts of their physical and meteorological People usually starve reduced tremendously in developing leading to atmospheric changes that benefit from developmentn – and often falls all at once, causing conditions, but in the way they are not because there is no countries, it is still huge in the poorest can be expected to change rainfall brief but destructive floods. governed. The Nobel Prize-winning food, but because they parts of the globe. World population patterns significantly. Unless people Yet life can improve even in economist Amartya Sen famously are so poor and politically is still expected to double in a can mitigate these phenomena – or Philip Dobie is Director of the UNDP these dry places. In the 1970s, we said that famines do not occur in marginalized that they generation. At the same time, the ▲ adapt to them – much of our recent Drylands Development Centre, were told that the deserts of North democracies; he showed that people cannot afford to buy it people of the world are consuming development is threatened. Nairobi.

12 13 Our Planet Our Planet

and are forced to collect plant residues and other forms of organic manure instead – often an unbearable Desertification physical burden. Similarly, drought resistant small grains are not priced to offer incentives to women producers, who are then forced to Has a woman’s face continue producing unsuitable crops, resulting in failures and reduced yields. There is need for research Fannie Mutepfa says that land degradation hits women therefore, with the full participation hardest but that they are often bypassed in attempts to combat it of women, into crops that will thrive in impoverished soils.

omen, who make up two more directly involved in the design of such Conflict resolution thirds of the approximately programmes. The high cost of renewable Mark Edwards/StillPictures W1,3 billion people living in energy is a major constraint for women and Environmental conflicts over three dimensions of empowerment that mentation. Without this process, projects of the land should be allocated to dire poverty, are more affected by every effort should be made to make it more diminishing natural resources – like affect women’s enhanced participation often fail because they are designed single, widowed and divorced women. land degradation than men. Their affordable. grazing lands, water sources, and in development: equal capabilities as using irrelevant or inadequately gender- This is just the beginning of a process dependence on natural resources for Plant and animal biodiversity is lost along forests – are increasing in many rural measured by health and education; specific information. This became toward total empowerment, since, with the survival and sustenance of their with the forests, which are an important source areas of Africa. Men usually are at equal access to opportunities and clear, for example, when women who land ownership, women will be able households make them particularly of fruits, medicines and natural products for the forefront, given the fact that the resources; and women’s ability to claim obtained fuel-efficient mud stoves to borrow and invest in sustainable vulnerable to it. They often lack rural women. Most communities in Southern fight is usually about ownership and their rights and participate in decision under one scheme in rural Zimbabwe production, leading to higher alternative ways of earning a Africa depend on wild fruits and roots during control. Women tend to be left out of making processes. These critical hardly used them and continued with financial gains. Land reform should living – and are less able to invest drought years. Women collect insects and arbitration and conflict resolution, empowerment dimensions have not their traditional ones. There was such provide an enabling environment that in sustainable land management worms from forests, and forest mushrooms also with the result that solutions may be been incorporated in many of the NAPs inadequate consultation that the stoves provides for the sharing of indigenous – and so have to exploit their fragile provide a rich source of protein for many rural irrelevant to their needs. being implemented to address land could not accommodate some of the knowledge amongst women from environments further. households. Village women know – through Land degradation is accelerating degradation and desertification. women’s’ cooking pots. There was different communities. It could oral traditional wisdom – which trees provide urbanization. Able-bodied men leave The Convention takes pride in improper understanding of the materials provide for economic incentives such Traditional wisdom medicines: their loss is a serious matter for rural communities each year to try to spearheading participatory processes, that could make the mud stoves as special lines of credit for women them as they are the care-givers in homes and get employment in towns and cities. but the NAPs take a blanket view of stronger. And there was limited training to go into livestock production. It Increasing firewood scarcity places communities – especially so in the face of the The women are often left behind to communities without disaggregating for construction of more stoves. This should also encompass sustainable heavy burdens on women as they HIV/ AIDS pandemic. Forests also provide care for the family and look after the according to sex, age and class. A review illustrates the fact that women must be land management, environmental often have to go further to collect the raw materials for basket making and other family assets – as well as to perform of a list of projects included in NAPs included in developing and adapting assessments, and environmental it, or rely on mostly inefficient village crafts. community productive functions reveals very few that target women as technology so that it suits their needs. monitoring and evaluation, giving and polluting forms of energy like Declines in soil fertility through land – giving them additional burdens. sole beneficiaries. Renewable energy special emphasis to the roles that cow dung. Many governments and degradation, reduce crop yields and com- The population profile of a projects, for example, can alleviate the Community information women are best able to perform: in NGOs have stepped up efforts to promise household food security. This typical rural village in Zimbabwe for problems that women face in securing particular they could be trained to reduce deforestation by providing particularly affects women, as they are example comprises: a few very old fuel wood, but their current design and Community Information Centres track environmental change and land other sources of energy for domestic responsible for planning meals and cooking. It men, more older women, very few adaptation often fail to take into account and kiosks are gaining popularity in degradation. use such as solar, biogas and also especially affects them in the fields as they young and middle aged men, many female needs and concerns. many African countries, including wind. Women should, however, be usually cannot afford to buy artificial fertilizers middle aged women, and quite a The majority of reports submitted Zimbabwe, but it is not clear whether Capacity building big number of young children. This to the Committee on the Review of women have been consulted on their hardly allows for equitable sharing the Implementation of the Convention location and mode of operation, so that Much has been said on the need to of community responsibilities. hardly mention the strategic role of they can use them while still continuing integrate and empower women to women in improving the economic to perform their other community roles. manage the environment, and many Priority themes environment, conserving natural Women must also be consulted on policy instruments exist on this. But resources, improving knowledge of the information provided, so that the much remains to be done on the ground African National Action Programmes desertification, and monitoring and centres equip them with knowledge on to ensure that women become the real (NAPs) under the Convention to assessing the effects of drought. improved crop production techniques, managers of the environment. Gender Combat Desertification reveal Women play critical roles in pest management, water harvesting mainstreaming must become common glaring deficiencies in specific community income-generating enter- techniques, post-harvest processing and practice through effective capacity interventions for women. Although prises such as bakeries, garment storage sources of ecologically suitable building and institutional coordination. most highlight such priority themes making and tailoring, soap making, and seed varieties, sources of agriculture Implementing the Convention should as integrating land and water pottery. Yet the NAPs fail to clearly inputs, and sources of markets and the address fundamental structural management, providing alternative define the incentives that governments prices of commodities. and systemic gender inequalities energy sources, information systems, should put in place to create an enabling – otherwise sustainable development and research and development, these environment. Land reform will forever remain mere rhetoric n have not been analyzed from a gender Improving information and perspective to assign interventions communications and providing South Africa and Zimbabwe have Fannie Mutepfa is the International according to needs based on gender alternative technologies could indicated that their land reform Coordinator of the Great Limpopo roles and responsibilities. The UN help women, if based on thorough programmes are critical to fighting land Transfrontier Park and a member of the

Millennium Project Taskforce on ▲ consultation and participation in degradation. Zimbabwe’s land reform board of Zimbabwe’s Environmental

Mark Edwards/StillPictures Education and Gender Equality noted their design, formulation and imple- programme stipulates that 25 per cent Management Agency. 14 15 Our Planet Our Planet

Millennium Project Taskforce on ▲ consultation and participation in degradation. Zimbabwe’s land reform board of Zimbabwe’s Environmental

Mark Edwards/StillPictures Education and Gender Equality noted their design, formulation and imple- programme stipulates that 25 per cent Management Agency. 14 15 DjgEaVcZi

Mark Edwards/StillPictures

Assessment reports that half of the world’s poor live in <_bb_d] drylands adding: “ Desertification is potentially the most threatening ecosystem change impacting livelihoods of the poor. Persistent reduction of ecosystem services, as a result of desertification, links land degradation to loss of human well-being.” Hydrological systems are fragile in drylands, arid, semi- the Gaps arid and sub-humid areas. Rainfall is low and sometimes I>BDB6J@DC:ChVnhi]Vi^cXgZVhZY erratic and evaporation is high. This exposes people to `cdlaZY\ZVcY^c[dgbVi^dcdcYZhZgihVcY many hazards – including droughts, fl ash fl oods and bush YgnaVcYh^hZhhZci^Va[dgWdi]i]Z^g fires – which severely affect many communities, creating YZkZadebZciVcYXdchZgkVi^dc environmental refugees, and hampering sustainable development. The causes of land degradation are both man-made and esertification, as a concept, dates back to West Africa natural. Population pressure and bad land management in the colonial 1920s and 1930s, but was revived in the originate it, but humanity exacerbates it by overcultivation, :early 1970s in an attempt to understand a long series deforestation and other inappropriate uses. Drought, erosion of drought years that brought environmental degradation, by wind and water, and other natural factors also play a part. economic hardship and famine to the African Sahel. Grim pictures of the extent of human suffering there sparked CWh]_dWb_p[Zf[efb[ intense humanitarian, political and scientific concern around the world. It is easier to prevent desertification than to reverse it. Better The issue emerged as one of the first major environmental management of crops, more careful irrigation and providing problems of global concern at the the 1977 UN Conference jobs outside farming for dryland people can help to address the on Desertification, hosted by UNEP in Nairobi. The United problem. There are success stories on sustainably managing Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and rehabilitating degraded lands. Progress is also being made – which has poverty and the peoples of the drylands as through introducing such practices as conservation tillage, central themes – was signed in 1994, and has now been judicious soil fertility enhancement, better-adapted crops and ratified or accessed by 191 countries. The United Nations crop varieties, and better water management. Yet overgrazing, General Assembly declared 2006 the International Year of mining of soil fertility and other unsustainable agricultural Deserts and Desertification (IYDD), and every June 17th practices still remain. Attempts to implement technical from this year on has been designated World Day to Combat solutions to land degradation are also strongly infl uenced by Desertification. policy, and social and economic drivers such as migration, urbanization, gender bias, land tenure, stakeholder and natural BWdZZ[]hWZWj_ed resource confl icts, markets, effectiveness of public support, and international trade agreements. Desertification is a social More than 1000 million people live in the rural areas of the issue of marginalized people, who are not necessarily the first world’s drylands, which cover some 40 per cent of Earth’s priority either in developed or developing countries. land surface. Economically dependent on agriculture, they Although the drylands do not have much water, they do are most at risk from land degradation. The vast majority have other natural resources that can be exploited, including – 94 per cent, by one estimate – of desert dwellers live in minerals, valuable genetic material from plants and animals, developing countries, where population growth rates are and great potential for generating solar energy for use among the highest: since the beginning of the 20th century elsewhere. Few places on earth contain a richer collection of

the number of people living in developing country deserts natural adaptations to the environment, while their abundant ▲ has multiplied eightfold. The recent Millennium Ecosystem sunshine is enormously underexploited. The scientiﬁc

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knowledge and engineering skills to generate sustainable Global Deserts Outlook is the first thematic assessment incomes from deserts already exist, but appropriate action report in UNEP’s Global Environment Outlook (GEO) needs to be determined, and the proceeds must be equitably series and, in conjunction with the IYDD, aims to help shared. raise global awareness of the state of world’s deserts. The Knowledge on desertification has increased during the report presents a panorama of the environmental status of last decades but there is still a lack of data on the magnitude the world’s deserts: their location and extent, uniqueness and of the problem, though the more synoptic view offered by vulnerability, biodiversity and natural resources. It provides satellite remote sensing in the 1990s gave rise to a perhaps a balanced picture of the world’s deserts, as ecosystems less catastrophic picture. Systematic observation and data which form a special part of the world’s natural and cultural collection on natural resources and their uses is essential. heritage, and not simply as land that is the end result of the These are needed for better understanding of land degradation process of desertification. The report also covers deserts’ and for assessing the processes and effects of drought and fragile ecologies and their unique biota by highlighting the desertification. They are also necessary to provide early importance of the desert environment and its products such warnings to decision makers to help them value ecosystem as crops originating from drylands, oil and mineral deposits, services realistically for development and conservation tourism, and their cultural values. It also highlights the policies, to facilitate increased investment in improved challenges that countries and people face when exploiting land management, and to justify investments in sustainable desert resources and puts forward an outlook for future desert livelihood options. UNEP, in collaboration with partners, development and the need for conservation. The knowledge strives to improve the quality of existing knowledge and to and technology exist to manage these resources sustainably; fill the data gaps through global and regional programmes, the challenge lies with determining and implementing such as Land degradation Assessment in Drylands, the Global appropriate actions for desirable long-term outcomes ■ Land Cover Network and the Desert Margins Programme. UNEP has also undertaken a global assessment of deserts Timo Maukonen is Senior Programme Officer in UNEP’s as part of its global environmental assessment programme. Division of Early Warning and Assessment. 7J7=B7D9;0:[i[hjiWdZ:hobWdZi

Biodiversity loss NASA Source: The Desert Biome deﬁned by three criteria in combination; i.e., aridity, vegetation cover, and ecoregional traits (see map above). The intensity of the red colour indicates congruency between the three criteria: Areas in intense red correspond Abundance of Species, decrease in percentage points 2,000-2050 to regions where the three criteria coincide, areas in intermediate colour highlight 60 - 70 20 - 15 15 - 10 10 - 5 5 - 0 regions where two criteria coincide, and areas in pale red show mark where only Source: UNEP/GRID Arendal one criterion operates.

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l r and a t a a o r a n n q n n a a n i d p i i c e n i a e a a i i s a n r a b n g a is ta r ra a a t b r te t e e h y y a ro i d s I I r rd m a a y s g C g L it r N n i Is Q r S ra i m l E r o u u n o O A i k e A u S T a J i m e Y a M h b 2006, d E g u z M f a b U A S ra A d e Gleick it n U Source: FAO 2005 2025 2050 Source:

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Star Profile: *TKUVQ5VQKEJMQX

risto Stoichkov, the legendary football player, has a new goal: combating desertification worldwide. The explosive left-footer – rated by some as *one of the greatest players of the 20th century – has committed himself to focusing attention on what he calls “one of the most serious problems facing humanity”. Appointed one of three honorary spokespeople for this International Year of Deserts and Desertification – along with Algerian Environment Minister Chérif Rahmani and the Nobel Peace Prize winner Wangari Maathai – he aims to promote the message through the “probably most powerful and fraternal sport in the world”. Born forty years ago in Plovdiv, Bulgaria’s second city “with a ball between his feet” – according to his mother, Penka – he grew up learning to kick it. His father was goalkeeper for the local team, Maritsa, and the young Hristo started as a ball boy for it. But by the age of 10 his talent was already so striking that he started playing for Maritsa in his own right. Ten years later he was becoming a national hero as a player for CSKA Sofia, and by 24 had won the Golden Boot, as Europe’s top goal scorer, after the team reached the semifinals of the Cup Winners Cup. In 1994 when he led his country’s Stoichkov.net team – which had never before even qualified for the tournament – into the World Cup semi-finals with a stunning 2-0 win over Argentina, he gained another Golden Boot as the most prolific scorer of the competition. By then he had led Barcelona to win the Champions League in 1992, and the Spanish Primera Division championship four years in a row. After finishing his playing career with Parma and in Japan and the United States, he was appointed coach to the Bulgarian national team two years ago. Memorable for his unpredictable shots at goal, his explosive acceleration and speed dribbling, he became equally famous for his relentless singlemindedness. “Soccer is simple”, he says. “You need to have the right mentality, fighting in every game, in every practice, for every ball.” He told Our Planet that he takes the same attitude to the fight against desertification. “ This is an issue of such importance that it requires a very focused and targeted approach, as well as sustained effort. There is no short-term solution. My experience as a football player who fights to win can help me keep up the pressure to convince people not to be indifferent to the problem.” He added: “Since desertification is clearly not just an environmental issue, the only way to tackle it is to look at the broader picture. This means addressing other issues closely linked to it, such as poverty. “It requires a joint effort from the international community in close collaboration with the affected local communities”. Stoichkov first became interested in desertification through his travels as a footballer. “Although Africa is hardest hit, it is by no means the only part of the world affected. Many European countries, including my own, are suffering from land degradation, drought, soil depletion, and deforestation. “In the course of my career I had the opportunity to play regularly in countries such as Spain, Italy, Japan, Saudi Arabia, and the United States, all of which are affected in one way or another by desertification. I have seen with my own eyes some of the consequences” . Stoichkov and Hama Arba Diallo, the Executive Secretary of the Convention to Combat Desertification, came up with the idea of organizing football matches and tournaments during the Year, to help increase awareness of the issue. One match is already planned between the Algerian national team and an international European team: it will be played in Algiers in October to accompany a desertification summit. “Football is probably the most universal and popular game on Our Planet, and receives unrivalled attention from the media and public at large”, he says. “With a little effort, it can be an important platform to help raise awareness of desertification and other environmental issues among the broadest possible audience.” Edwards/StillPictures “Just as football unites the world – and is enjoyed by all, old and young, rich and poor – so we can get the message across that desertification also affects us all, and that we have a responsibility to do something about it.” GL Mark &- DjgEaVcZi

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and implement national, regional and The Convention stands for profound overcome the constraints that inhibit the strategic plan for implementing the local action plans. change in implementing development full functioning of the Convention, and Convention. no less than thirty national action and cooperation policies. It is, indeed, to take advantage of all its opportunities. Last year’s World Summit appealed plans were prepared and submitted to a true development convention, relying The new resources might take the form for more pronounced support to the Convention Secretariat by African on: of ‘new and additional resources’, of implement the Convention, leading to countries between 2000 and 2004. ■ Understanding the basic needs of public development aid, or of debt hopes that the last Conference of the They undertook this laborious process local communities for education, cancellation. What is important is that Parties would be a turning point for the with enthusiasm. And they did so in access to clean drinking water, energy, the Convention should be given enough international community in considering the spirit of the Convention which is and sanitation, etc.; to fulfill its vision. desertification more closely. It seemed based on such innovative principles ■ Applying political and institutional Initiatives to forge new paths and that it had come to understand the as a continuing effort to increase pressure to reinforce the process of formulate new objectives must be Millennium Development Goals the participation of civil society decentralization in managing natural launched during the International cannot be achieved without addressing stakeholders in decision-making and resources; Year. These could, among other the root causes of poverty in rural planning, and better interaction between ■ Widening the field of discussion issues, include increasing knowledge areas, which are inextricably linked to policy sectors. There has clearly been to include non-governmental organ- about desertification, its causes and soil degradation and the resulting loss much common ground and a high level izations, local communities, women’s consequences, especially in Northern of agricultural revenue. of participation. movements, youth, and other social countries, and highlight the relationship The Conference of the Parties, groups who are often marginalized between desertification such other however, ended on a rather more Strategic plan – demonstrating a dedication to issues as food insecurity, poverty, etc.. discordant note, with the Northern democratic governance; Specific objectives that should be countries calling for ‘reforms’ and This is possibly the first time in some ■ Creating conditions that help to envisaged include: the Southern ones trying to convince ■ countries that a process dealing with generate adequate revenue, allow local Mobilizing the largest Northern their partners that the fight against the environment has brought together communities to improve their quality NGOs – the so-called ‘Seven Sisters’ desertification is crucial, because of such a diverse group of stakeholders of life, and promote a policy of peace – – in the fight against desertification. its links to the fight against poverty. ■ and permitted political dialogue at such all indispensable in driving sustainable Securing the international com- We must remain hopeful that 2006, a high level. During last October’s development. munity’s understanding that combatting the International Year of Deserts and Conference of the Parties of the For all these reasons, it is no desertification, attaining the MDGs, Desertification will yet mean a new Convention, in Nairobi, there were exaggeration to affirm that: and the fight against migration and beginning. And that, this time, it will significant advances in, for example, ■ Initiatives to combat poverty and its population fluctuations are all directly be a good one n improving synergies between it and the consequences (such as migration and linked. ■ climate and biodiversity conventions. conflict over the control of resources) Approaching (again) bilateral and Masse Lo, a former Coordinator of New initiatives were adopted such which have led – under the aegis of multilateral development agencies and the African and World NGOs Network as the strategic plan for long-term the World Bank – to defining national representatives of the G8 to persuade in Desertification, is Regional Mark Edwards/StillPictures measures to fight desertification, strategies, are synonymous with them to place the Convention at the top Programme Director of LEAD TerrAfrique. And progress was made in combatting desertification; of their agendas. Francophone Africa. Oussouby Toure ■ financing them through a Memorandum ■ Action plans to combat Finally creating the conditions to is a sociologist, environmentalist and Need of Understanding with the Global desertification, within the spirit of put in place an effective long-term international consultant. Environment Facility (GEF). the Convention, can help to make the Millennium Development Goals Financial support more concrete: as Klaus Toepfer, until recently UNEP’s Executive Director, But these advances should not disguise says: “Combatting desertification is a fresh new start deficiencies which affect the feasibility crucial to the concretisation of the of devising and implementing the MDGs”. Masse Lo and Oussouby Toure challenge the programmes to fight desertification, as ■ Implementing action plans to international community to put its weight behind the fight well as their effectiveness and impact. combat desertification should favour against desertification as part of the assault on poverty There is a big gap between the scale more democratic governance and of the problem of land degradation the principles of transparancy and and the limited initiatives so far accountability. ■ ompared with other international of their country. And it even allows undertaken. Few of anti-desertification Combatting desertification means conventions, such as those on us to ‘fight’ immigration caused by programmes, particularly in Africa, mitigating the effects of migration, Cclimate or biodiversity, the desertification, the immigration so have received sufficient financial caused by deteriorating conditions in Convention to Combat Desertification acutely felt and feared by the ‘Western’ support, despite the achievements dryland areas. Falling agricultural yields has received little political support public. Why, then, has it generated so of the Global Environment Facility in areas affected by land degradation from the international community. This little international public attention, and and of some bilateral and multilateral are the main cause of migration. is a disgrace. attracted so little funding? agencies, and the mobilisation of The International Year offers a new This multilateral agreement is, after The decision to designate 2006 as civil society stakeholders. This sorry opportunity to kick-start the process of all, a real social project – “a Convention the International Year of Deserts and state of affairs is particularly acute in implementing the tools in the action for life” in the words of one participant. Desertification (IYDD) was taken ten countries that face falling revenues plans to combat desertification at It calls for greater democratization years after the Convention was ratified from agriculture and animal husbandry, national, regional and local levels. and pluralism and creates conditions and came into force. During that decade which in turn result in food insecurity More money must be allocated, and for a better participation by citizens the countries most subject to land and the conflicts over the control of ▲ the action plans must be better integrated degradation have been forced to devise natural resources. with macro-economic policies to and civil society in the development Richard Linero/UNEP 20 2121 Our Planet Our Planet

Areas, watersheds and other shared landscapes and ecosystems. Where these lessons are applied, there is great scope Only Connect for achieving significant gains for both rural livelihoods and biodiversity conservation. Unfortunately opportunities for drawing on the depth and diversity of ‘place- Sara J Scherr and Claire Rhodes based’ local knowledge to support integrated landscape say that the Millennium Development Goals management approaches, are lost within national and can only be achieved in the drylands by international development strategies. Agriculture and approaches that simultaneously deliver food biodiversity typically remain sectorally based, with security, rural livelihoods and biodiversity no coordination between institutions responsible for conservation different elements of the same landscape. Environment ministries tend to remain distinct from agriculture, water, fisheries, and forestry ones. Agricultural systems he challenges of the Millennium Development are rarely the focus of conservation research, or vice Goals (MDGs) – an unprecedented drive by the versa. Market mechanisms rarely recognise the role of Tinternational community to address the deeply farmers and pastoralists as stewards for conservation. interlinked challenges of eradicating poverty, enhancing food security and ensuring environmental sustainability Enhanced coordination – are especially pertinent in the drylands. Representing approximately 41 per cent of the Earth’s terrestrial Narrow sectoral strategies have failed in the drylands. surface, they are home to approximately two billion Synergies can be delivered by enhancing coordination people, contain one third of the world’s agricultural and complementarity between existing conservation land use, sustain diverse areas of endemic biodiversity, and production strategies. Diverse stakeholders need and face increasingly severe risks of desertification and Mark Edwards/StillPictures to be collectively engaged in designing and delivering degradation. strategies that simultaneously address the challenges Reducing poverty and hunger in the drylands will Drought and environmental degradation threatened These case studies are just snap-shots of the diverse of meeting goals for rural livelihoods, food security and depend on sustaining their natural resources base, while livelihoods in Rajasthan’s Arvari Basin. Crop failure, soil array of innovative strategies that have evolved in environmental sustainability. An increasing number of improving crop, livestock, forest, and fishery production. erosion and watershed degradation were widespread and drylands to coordinate managing wildlife habitat and international dryland initiatives are being established Yet, widespread land degradation affects production in at communities faced continual challenges to meet their watersheds management with conserving the genetic to do this, including greater investment in integrated least 70 per cent of dryland agricultural and rangeland water needs. Over the last twenty years a community- diversity of crops and livestock in ecologically-compatible research on drought, poverty and agriculture; in dryland systems, threatening both livelihoods and biodiversity. led watershed restoration programme has centred on production systems. Building on existing ‘place-based biodiversity conservation and ecosystem management; Drylands house about 22 per cent of the world’s re-instating johads – an indigenous technology that knowledge’ and landscape management expertise is and in enhancing the understanding of the role of protected areas, but these are proving insufficient to collects water from uphill tributaries: more than 5,000 essential. Investments should be increasingly targeted to traditional indigenous knowledge. protect its rich, endemic and highly adapted flora and of them now serve around 1,050 villages. Water supplies directly support such community-driven ecoagriculture Nonetheless, the scale and extent of this integration fauna. Agricultural expansion and intensification, and for irrigation, wildlife, livestock and domestic use have approaches, including traditional and indigenous is not enough to achieve the MDGs. The key challenge other land use changes, drive biodiversity loss and increased, and groundwater re-charge is encouraged practices. Community-based leaders have often proved is to catalyse the processes, investment and incentives ecosystem degradation. Action to sustain livelihoods and to improve hillside forest productivity. Village councils to be highly effective ‘extension agents’, yet rarely play necessary to moblise existing knowledge and strengthen biodiversity is particularly critical where people depend coordinate community leadership. The social, economic, a central role in designing and implementing such coordination. on crops and livestock in and around Protected Areas; and biophysical landscape has been transformed. initiatives or support services. Thus, in this International Year of Deserts and in landscapes essential for biodiversity and watershed Restoring river flow has increased the availability of Desertification, the international community should services under agriculture production; and in highly water, improved the sustainability of agriculture and the Local enterprise pursue three priority investments to promote integrated degraded areas where improved agriculture, livelihoods security of livelihoods, and strengthened the emphasis strategies for meeting the MDGs in rural drylands: and biodiversity all depend on ecosystem restoration. on community-led natural resources management. Further incentives are needed to foster collective ■ Coordinating the agendas of the Convention on ■ Integrated Pastoral Management, Kenya: action between the diverse stakeholders responsible Biological Diversity and the Convention to Combat Community approaches The Pastoralist Integrated Support Programme in Kenya’s for managing dryland landscapes – including farmers, Desertification energetically to pursue landscape-scale remote and arid Marsabit region works with over 11,000 pastoralists, community-based organizations, NGOs strategies in drylands that achieve ambitious objectives There must be urgent investment in approaches that jointly pastoral people to protect dryland biodiversity from over- involved in conservation, agriculture and rural both for enhancing sustainable agricultural production deliver food security, rural livelihoods and biodiversity grazing through managing herd movements strategically development, research institutions, the food industry, and and for conserving biodiversity and ecosystems, through conservation. Placing community–led approaches at around vulnerable water points. Restoring highly flexible, policymakers. Institutions and processes are required multi-stakeholder planning and action. the centre of national development strategies offers traditional water management systems has significantly to strengthen collaboration and integrated thinking ■ Supporting this strategy of integrated landscape opportunities for this. While the international community reduced the vulnerability of nomadic communities. amongst them. management with a focused programme of research, struggles to reconcile targets on environment and poverty, ■ Farming to mimic natural ecosystems, Spain: Such processes have demonstrated opportunities knowledge exchange and capacity-building across many local communities around the world innovatively ‘Dehesas’ have evolved to sustain livestock and grain to facilitate broader participation in decision making communities and sectors, building upon the existing employ integrated ecosystem approaches – putting food production in areas of limited rainfall over nearly 3.5 and in negotiating management agreements that expertise and knowledge of community-based security at the heart of conservation, and conservation million hectares of southern Spain and Portugal. These reconcile ecosystems, livelihoods and productivity practitioners at the heart of food security. Croplands and pastures are human-engineered ecosystems, designed and goals. Their effectiveness could be enhanced by further ■ Empowering dryland resource managers – farmers, must be managed in ways that enhance habitats and managed over centuries to mimic natural savanna, investment in developing cross-sectoral institutions pastoralists and others – to play a central role designing the delivery of ecosystem services. And wildlife habitat and support high levels of biodiversity. Scattered trees, that support stakeholders in managing landscapes – for investment and conservation programmes, and to needs to be managed in ways that benefit local farmers, shrubbery, and diverse cultivation and livestock systems instance by providing integrated support services for participate as key actors in national and international pastoralists and other local people. increase the heterogeneity of the habitat. Pastures agricultural production, conservation, local enterprise policy processes n These are some examples for such ‘ecoagriculture’ and grainfields benefit from improved soil structure development, and landscape planning. There are, for

strategies: and rainfall absorption, and from reduced evaporation ▲ example, almost no institutions equipped to support and Sara J. Scherr is President at Ecoagriculture Partners. Claire ■ Community Water Harvesting, Rajasthan, India: underneath the trees. enable the management of transboundary Protected Rhodes is Programme Associate at the same. 22 23 Our Planet Our Planet

disempowering language of catastrophe embodied in the term ‘desertification’ – language that risks institutionalising Dry Knowledge desert people as perpetual victims, recipients of welfare or aid. Desert regions around the world share a unique combination of features. A^kZan:ciZgeg^hZ They face variable and unpredictable biophysical, political and market environments outside local control. B6G@HI6;;DG9HB>I=hVnhi]ViYZhZgihVWdjcY^c They are governed by remote centres ^ccdkVi^dcVcYdeedgijcî^ZhVcYYZhXg^WZhlVnh^cl]^X]i]Zn of power and are a long way from VgZWZ^c\]VgcZhhZYVcYbZi^ci]ZldgaYÉhYg^ZhiXdci^cZci markets. Their resources are generally limited. They often have local (rich patches) such as mineral wealth. And their small populations are dispersed and relatively mobile. Desert living certainly means coping with slender resources, enormous variability, climatic extremes, and daunting physical challenges. But these same forces drive innovation and create immense opportunities: It is no coincidence that key social changes have emerged from deserts over the centuries. In the face of adversity, desert people have always innovated and they still do. There is an immense diversity of novel and creative energy in desert regions around the world, but they face the perennial problem of a lack of critical mass. Their populations are often too small to infl uence policy created in distant cities or markets played out on the world stage. Desert issues are perceived as too secondary to attract coordinated, large-scale research efforts. Similarly, the hundreds of small- scale innovations created every year in deserts are each individually too small to create a major new industry. They must be drawn together and branded as a single product of desert regions: Desert Knowledge, or the understanding of how to live well – sustainably, economically and harmoniously – in the desert. The world’s driest continent is using this idea to seek solutions to the challenges of desert living. Frankken/StillPictures

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bout one third of the Earth’s land manifold. Nevertheless, these are In a ground-breaking partnership, for surface supports a sixth of its also environments of great energy, example, desert indigenous communities 7population, a population often inventiveness and opportunity. are working with researchers from disempowered and remotely governed, It is time that we put a realistic but Australia’s Desert Knowledge which was once self-sustaining but positive ﬂ avour into talking about living Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) to is now suffering from desertiﬁcation. in the world’s deserts. The International preserve and protect their knowledge

It is easy to focus on the problems of Year of Deserts and Desertiﬁcation about the healing properties of their ▲ these regions, and they are indeed offers a chance to move away from the traditional plant medicines. Laboratory

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tests have already revealed bioactive to bid collaboratively for contracts that It focuses on the outcomes of applied substances in them. would be out of the reach of individual research to shape understanding of how Meanwhile, the food industry is members. After just a year, members to live and create wealth sustainably forming business partnerships with are reporting real improvements to their and harmoniously in deserts. And it indigenous Australian food networks bottom lines. Such cooperative business recognises that people are not going to develop such traditional staples developments fuel economic growth to tackle long-term desertification as acacia seeds and bush tomatoes. by helping companies to overcome unless their circumstances rise above The growing native foods industry is distance, isolation, scale, and limited subsistence living. already diverse, ranging from wild access to markets. The Desert Knowledge movement harvesting of plants by indigenous Indigenous Australians, pioneers aims to create sustainable livelihoods communities in the central deserts, of desert living, are emerging as for desert people, to make remote desert through cottage-industry horticultural leaders for the 21st century, renewing settlements more viable, to develop production and processing, to large- humanity’s thinking about how it can thriving desert regional economies and scale horticulture and harvest trials. The live successfully with limited resources. to increase the social and human capital Desert Knowledge CRC contributes Their holistic approach – like that of of desert people. It is helping to build a research solutions, such as better pest indigenous peoples elsewhere – are network of desert knowledge economies control and propagation technologies teaching us to think across territorial which sustain our inland environments for the most popular desert foods. boundaries and sectors. They also and avoid future desertification. To take another example, the demonstrate the need to integrate In the Year of Deserts and Desertification, ‘kangaroo hop mobile’ — which bounces calls from one handset to another to form a virtual network, avoiding the need for building infrastructure—could be a boon in isolated areas worldwide. Each mobile handset serves as a carrier in an ever-moving network which has only a few fixed transmission points. As the range of each user is limited it may take a few hops, from one user to another, for a call to reach its intended recipient. Clever software manages the calls and picks the best route – or set of hops – without phone users even being aware of it. All they have to do is leave their mobile handsets switched on.

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Desert regions throughout the world are struggling with the effect of globalisation and cultural change. Australia’s outback communities are responding to these challenges by exploring new systems for self governance, for social and economic renewal, for preserving the world’s Nigel Dickinson/StillPictures most ancient cultures, traditions and divergent disciplines rather than to see the UN is promoting the message that landscapes, and for engaging with the desertification purely through the single “desertification is a major threat to national and global economies. lenses of social science, climate change, humanity, compounded by both climate Hundreds of Australian desert or soil erosion. In reality, human and change and loss of biological diversity.’’ businesses have formed a continent- environmental factors are almost always For the people of the Australian inland wide network by using the latest intertwined. The challenges facing – and those of deserts worldwide – it communications technology. They deserts are multi-scaled, multi-sectoral provides an opportunity to show how have shared ideas and expertise and are and scientifically multi-disciplinary, to build a more prosperous, sustainable forging new export partnerships over and affect a wide range of people and and secure world, by doing something thousands of kilometres in industries interests. These are sophisticated issues they are good at: living in deserts, and such as mining services, tourism, food, that demand sophisticated responses. living in them well ■ and sustainable construction, helping Synthesizing traditional Aboriginal to overcome the problem of gaining knowledge and Western science into Mark Stafford Smith is a research critical mass. An arid town alliance a new ‘Science of Desert Living’ fellow with the Desert Knowledge spanning four Australian states now in Australia promises an integrated Cooperative Research Centre, Alice allows small mining services enterprises theoretical response to desertification. Springs Australia.

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makeup of cattle herds, soil fertility and capital wealth. intervention. Similarly, at the household or community They evolve and change slowly, but are the crucial level – where the concern is the specific type of land Cutting through determinants of sustainable livelihoods. ‘Fast’ variables degradation taking place, and its local socio-economic on which people depend in their day-to-day lives – such consequences – the DDP channels resources towards as grain yield, food reserves and interest rates – are very identifying the essential biophysical and socio-economic real issues for short-term humanitarian aid, but tend slow variables that really matter in quantifying current to confuse the strategic debate about desertification. and future risk. Efforts to map and respond to land degradation The DDP framework is unique in two ways. It attempts confusion affecting ecosystems goods and services are perpetually to capture the multitude of interrelationships within James Reynolds outlines a new paradigm for distracted by the immediate effects of short-term human-environment systems that cause desertification, understanding the interrelated factors that make up phenomena – like drought, shortages in household within a single, synthetic framework. And it can be desertification, so as better to combat it income and deaths of livestock – on these fast variables; tested, ensuring that it can be revised and improved but these simply reflect weather-driven noise. In reality, upon. drought kills families who live on degraded landscapes The Assessment, Research, and Integration of with no social or economic stored capital: it may hardly Desertification research network (ARIDnet) has been esertification is a very contentious topic, as well as be noticed by rich farming families who possess healthy formed to test the DDP, and has been operating in a very important one. It evokes much disagreement pastures. Latin America for the past two years. Details of two Dand controversy. Issues surrounding the causes of ■ The coupled biophysical and socio-economic systems case studies, in Mexico and Honduras, can be seen at land degradation and its consequences – and political of the world’s drylands are not static: they are produced http://www.biology.duke.edu/aridnet . There are plans responses to it – remain largely unresolved. They by a set of complex interactions between biophysical, to expand the network to other regions. include, for example, the extent to which land changes social and economic factors. So their behaviour is We hope that, as case studies are conducted around are ‘natural’ (such as those driven by the climate) or emergent rather than predetermined, can rarely if the globe, the Dahlem Desertification Paradigm anthropogenic (as through overgrazing); whether or ever be reversed to some exact prior state, and has a framework will help focus the attention of those not desertification is reversible; how to determine changing – and often unpredictable – path. concerned with implementing the UNCCD: to recognize, the amount of land affected, or at risk; and the role Mark Edwards/StillPictures ■ The cost of restoring degraded socio-ecological for example, that desertification cannot be framed in of abatement efforts aimed at social and institutional drylands systems to make them productive and terms of biophysical nor socio-economic measures issues as opposed to scientific and technological ones. influenced systems. The product of these new ideas is sustainable grows with increasing degradation. This alone, let alone in terms of any single measure; that There are at least four reasons for this confusion. the Dahlem Desertification Paradigm (DDP), a series of growth may be steady or sudden, but once a threshold the task of quantifying ‘desertification’ is not hopeless; First, there is no standardized meaning for land assertions that emphasize key linkages between socio- of degradation is crossed, the costs of recovery increase that at a high hierarchical scale there are a restricted ‘degradation’ that fits all situations. Yet, nevertheless, economic and biophysical systems at different scales of in a non-linear way. Case studies show that, once this number of syndromes of desertification, which define up to 70 per cent of all drylands are routinely reported as time and space. Its constituent ideas contained within happens, it is necessary to call on resources from a a limited number of critical slow variables, differing ‘desertified’. Second, land degradation is often triggered the DDP themselves are generally not new, but – as is higher (e.g. provincial, state or international) or broader among systems in non-trivial but manageable ways; or exacerbated by climate variability, mainly drought, the way with paradigms – bring together much of the (e.g. other households or communities) scale in order to and, importantly, that elucidating the crucial socio- so that its causes are not necessarily anthropogenic. previous work on the topic in a way that reveals new reverse the change. economic and biophysical slow variables will require the Third, not all changes have a direct, immediate effect insights. Its main points are: ■ Both the social and ecological systems of the world’s cooperation of multidisciplinary research teams n on human welfare – and farmers are generally only ■ An integrated approach that simultaneously considers drylands are hierarchical. Hence there are always prepared to accept that they may need to change their biophysical and socio-economic attributes is absolutely concens about scale. Desertification, as it affects both James F Reynolds is Professor of Environmental Sciences & practices if land degradation is a direct consequence of essential. It is not possible, for example, to quantify the the land and people, is the regional expression of much Biology at the Nicholas School of the Environment and Earth their activities and/or it directly affects them or other extent of desertification based solely on satellite images local degradation. The word ‘desertification’, when used Sciences & Department of Biology, Duke University, North members of society. And fourth, any elaboration of what (recording such biophysical properties as changes in in the halls of the United Nations, usually has a different Carolina, USA. constitutes land degradation must make it clear that land cover) – or based solely on poverty (monitoring meaning than when it is used in at national, provincial while biophysical components of ecosystems – such as such socio-economic properties as changes in the local and local levels. soil erosion, and the loss of grass cover – are involved, wealth of families). Elements of both are necessary. ■ While change is inevitable, there does exist a ■ Selecting biophysical and socio-economic attributes constrained set of ways in which coupled socio- interpreting such changes as ‘losses’ depends on ▲ integrating these components in the context of people’s must focus on ‘slow’ variables – such as the genetic ecological dryland systems function, and this can allow socio-economic activities, often through using the term us to understand and manage them. We do not need to ‘productivity’. Failure to recognize and include these understand everything but we must be able to distinguish interdependencies in decision-making has slowed what is understandable or predictable (even if uncertain) progress in desertification research. Desertification is from that which is inherently unpredictable. a complex topic, not amenable to simple solutions or answers. Conceptual holisim

Global change The strength of the Dahlem Desertification Paradigm is in its cross-scale conceptual holism. While using the Simultaneously assessing biophysical components term ‘desertification’ is only really useful where large (such as soil nutrients and erosion, and grass versus areas are seriously affected – with ‘degradation’ more shrub cover) and socio-economic ones (such as appropriate for more local, and less severe, instances household income, family size, and debt) is one of the – the DDP framework embraces all levels of concern. At most challenging, but potentially rewarding, topics the international level, for example, implementing the in desertification research. A international effort, Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) must recently initiated as part of the Global Land Project of be framed in terms of changes in human-environment the International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme, systems that matter to people. This dramatically has brought together researchers from global change changes the meaning of the ‘extent of desertification’, ▲ programmes, representing both natural and human- Vilarino/UNEP/StillPictures and both the timing and distribution of funding for Mark Edwards/StillPictures 26 27 Our Planet Our Planet

ibreel Abdel-Fattah has lived agricultural development. “It is also protect the lake’s ecosystem from variety most commonly grown in other parts major multi-million pound in Garf Hussein on Lake responsible for establishing a plan of potential pollutants. of Egypt, these tomato plants produce at least initiative by the High Dam GNasser for 16 years. Four action for the proper management The use of chemical pesticides twice as many tomatoes. LakeA Development Project under of his six children were born here. and utilization of these resources,” and fertilizers in the Lake Nasser His neighbour – Àm Salah, recognizing the the Ministry of Agriculture is The small mud-brick house he built The lake holds Egypt’s strategic region is prohibited by the Egyptian agricultural engineer who was accompanying currently setting up model villages: with his own hands looks out onto water supply – with a storage government, but they have been used me – called out for advice on his sickly one – Bashayer El Kheir – is a picture-postcard perfect view of capacity of some 157 km3 of water nonetheless. The NEF project has aubergine plants. The group walked over. virtually inside the Garf Hussein palm trees on calm blue waters. – and supplies 40 per cent of the attempted to establish transparency “This is where your role comes in, Àm Barsi,” area. The village is constructed Despite the view, Gibreel’s life country’s fish. The surrounding with GADLN about their use, and said Ehab Ezzeldin, NEF project coordinator. on a food-for-work basis with on these shores has been difficult. region is rich in granite and marble, to work together to teach farmers “Explain to Àm Salah what the problem is,” he assistance from WFP and includes His only water source is a pump near and has good tourism potential. how to use safer ones and to obtain said. Àm Barsi examined the plants that had excellent beneficiary housing; a his house that lifts water directly But most importantly, GADLN and use organic pesticides and turned a sandy yellow colour, diagnosed the well equipped school (pre-school, from the lake. His children’s one- – together with the governorate of fertilizers. disease and prescribed the proper treatment. primary and preparatory stages); room school is a three kilometer Aswan and such organizations as Dr. Lamia El-Fattal, IDRC Ezzeldin beamed with pride. “This is why permanent irrigation to enable walk away and provides only the World Food Programme (WFP) programme officer, explained that we’re here,” he said. Thomas Lang/UNEP/StillPictures year-round instead of seasonal primary education, so his two – is resettling Egyptians in the area the project “anticipates an outcome el-Fattal shares his optimism. She hopes cultivation; and a well-equipped eldest children were sent to live to benefit from its high agricultural and chooses to deal with it before it that this project will be able to feed information health unit with an ambulance. with their grandparents in the city potential. happens”. There are concerns that to the Egyptian government for better policy- Bashayer El Kheir is the only of Esna, about 290 km away. His resettling one million people in the making when settling people in other new operational village to date, but two Selection criteria wife depends on traditional forms of Greening region could have a negative impact lands. others are under construction in medicine or must find transport to not just there but on the entire Nile Thus where arid desert meets water, en- Thomas & Afia and in Kalabsha. get modern care in Aswan, 140 km The scheme has not been without valley. The project therefore aims, she during hardship meets hope. And the likes The project plans to expand with distant. difficulties. So ambitious have been said “to ensure that there is minimum of Gibreel, Barsi, and Salah will give root to construction of five model villages Neverthless, he has little to the efforts that hundreds of people damage to the environment through communities that can hopefully perpetuate around the Lake, and these are complain about. He is proud of his Desert have been assigned lands before the pollution and resource degradation sustainable agricultural practices for intended to act as nuclei to be land, which produces berseem, infrastructure has been provided by encouraging good practices generations to come n expanded according to the same tomatoes, aubergines, and onions. to support them. Depending on the Nadia El-Awady, in a personal of farmers using agro-ecological plan. He raises cattle, and boasts that he account, reports on a pioneering phase of land handover and on the production techniques to minimize Nadia el Awady is is the managing science owns one of the most fertile bulls in programme to turn desert into authority responsible for a particular impact”. She hopes it will create editor of IslamOnline.net and the president of Ayoub E-Aljaloudi, Deputy Director the area. area, selection criteria can form a “champions of the environment” the Arab Association of Science Journalists. of WFP’s Egypt Office. productive agricultural land heavy burden on applicants. Some among the settlers to “influence the Desolate land lands are only assigned to farmers people that would be moving into if they commit to settling on them the new settlements once they are In Egypt’s deep south, along the with their wife and children, even created”. shores of the country’s largest strategic though such basic needs as water, water reserve, ambitious efforts sanitation, schooling and health- Environment champions are under way to green the desert. care are at a bare minimum. Semi- The government plans to resettle regular inspections are made by the In Garf Hussein, Àm (“Uncle”) one million people around Lake authorities to make sure that the Barsi, – as he is called by those that Nasser by 2017. Small agricultural families remain on the land: farmers know him – is one such champion. communities have already started who are discovered to have sent their A strong advocate of the project, he sprouting up in this desolate land, wives and children back to their has been one of many farmers who but lack of basic amenities has so hometowns are subject to possible have attended NEF meetings aiming far been a hindering factor in this expulsion. at identifying and prioritizing the project realizing its true potential. Nevertheless, Egyptians are problems facing the settlers . Yet even in the face of enduring determined to succeed in making He has participated in seminars hardship, these settlers from all over the best of a difficult situation. given by agricultural specialists the country are determined to make Community development projects on the best types of crops to grow a future for themselves and for their are being established to help the in the harsh climate of southern families. settlers help themselves. One such is Egypt, and visited with farmers in Lake Nasser, formed behind being spearheaded by the Near East neighbouring communities to learn the Aswan High Dam across the Foundation’s (NEF) regional office how they succeeded in exporting Nile, is – at 550 km long and 35 in Egypt. Funded by the International their produce to Europe. He also km at its widest point – one of the Development Research Center attended a meeting organized by world’s largest artificial lakes. In (IDRC), it aims at conducting what NEF with local traders to discuss 1974, the Egyptian government it calls participatory community- the possibilities of providing organic formed the General Authority for based research. By involving both the pesticides and fertilizers to Lake the Development of Lake Nasser settlers and the main stakeholders Nasser’s farmers. (GADLN). “GADLN was established in the region, NEF is establishing Standing barefoot in his land 67- in order to conduct research and to a problem-solving framework that year-old Àm Barsi proudly showed determine what the various natural can continue even after the project me his crop of tomatoes grown from resources of the Lake Nasser region is completed. Another main concern hybrid seedlings designed to resist are,” explained Dr. Hani Sabry, is exploring agro-ecology and eco-

▲ heat that can reach 55°C. Although

head of its central administration for health to improve livelihoods and more expensive than the local M. Gmghlamyint/UNEP/StillPictures Woltchev/UNEP/StillPictures 28 29 Our Planet Our Planet

▲ heat that can reach 55°C. Although

head of its central administration for health to improve livelihoods and more expensive than the local M. Gmghlamyint/UNEP/StillPictures Woltchev/UNEP/StillPictures 28 29 DjgEaVcZi

Art for the Environment

he end of Klaus Toepfer’s eight-year tenure as UNEP’s Executive Director was marked by the launch of a new initiative on art and T the environment. The first exhibition in the initiative – for which the Natural World Museum (NWM) has joined forces with UNEP – was opened at United Nations Headquarters in Nairobi as part of his farewell reception on 31 March. One spectacular work, Trapped Inside, was installed in the grounds in Gigiri, on the outskirts of the Kenyan capital, in dedication to Mr Toepfer, as a tribute for his years of service to UNEP and in gratitude for his efforts towards using art to educate the public about the global environment. By French artist J. C. Didier, it features a living tree on life support. Richard Williamson The African Greenheart (Warburgia Ugandensis) was selected because it is indigenous to East Africa and is also used for traditional medicine. “Trapped Inside symbolises both destruction and regeneration”, said Mr Didier. “It gives us a glimpse of the future and puts us in close relationship to a nature in jeopardy and nature at a crossroads.” Another work, Booked Out by Samuel Fleiner of Germany, is an installation of recycled United Nations books and papers. He also presents RE-ART ONe, the first international art collection that focuses exclusively on art and design made from recycled waste materials. It includes 128 works UNEP by 51 artists, designers, and craftsmen from 15 countries, made from such materials as aluminium cans, scrap metal and paper or plastic waste. “Sustainability is at the heart of my projects”, says Mr Fleiner. “I organize events that involve people in new environmental thinking, taking raw material that has already ‘lived’ and, through art, is recycled into a positive medium.” The exhibition also includes Arbres Brûlés, an installation of 45 burnt trees turned into sculpture by Philippe Pastor, an artist based in Monaco. The sculptures were created from the calcified trunks of trees in the forest of Garde Freinet in Var, southern France, which were devastated in the

UNEP summer of 2003 by a forest fire started by arson. Through the work, the artist expresses his anger at the wanton destruction and sets out to sensitize the world to the damage caused by forest fires and the need to preserve natural resources. “Art is the cornerstone of conservation and the emblem of civilization”, said Mia Hanak, Executive Director of NWM, adding that its exhibits “are exciting in what they showcase, but are also important as a focal point where the public can interact and be part of an environmental community.” NWM’s next exhibition will be housed at City Hall, in San Francisco, California to mark World Environment Day in June. It will also produce an environmental art exhibit as part of the celebrations of the Day, which will UNEP be hosted in Algiers, Algeria ■

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by Arwa Omary 13, Lebanon, TUNZA Junior Board Member. R.