In last week's post, I discussed some of the causes of Desertification, and the effect it can have on our livelihoods. I think we can all agree that no one would want to experience it for themselves, so how can we make sure that it doesn't happen to anyone else? Well, there are many things that we as individuals can do, even from the comfort of our own homes, but the solutions to this problem are a bit complicated (more on that later). Nonetheless, now that we know a little about the problem, it's time to take action to ensure that no human or environment has to be affected by it again. So, here are a few of the most common ways we can help to stop desertification.
A quick note before we start
As of yet, there is not one set solution to desertification. Because it is a newly discovered issue, research and solutions for the subject are only just developing. While most environmental problems, such as Climate Change, do require a mix of solutions, this mix has not been fully fleshed out for desertification. I would love to be able to provide some clear-cut solutions to this issue, but the truth is direct solutions to the problem are extremely complicated and require people specifically within agriculture to implement them. I just don't know enough of the nuances behind the issue to give really specific examples of what individuals not involved in the agricultural industry can do. However, that does not mean we can't help, so here are a few things you can do:
Implement and change desertification policies
Most of the contributions we can make to stopping desertification are indirect. After all, we can't force a farmer to shut down his livelihood because it uses too much water. What we can do, however, is fight for a change in the policies that are supposed to protect areas with a risk of desertification. Now, these policies are nowhere near simple, as regulations would have to require a mix of water usage restrictions, farming regulations, and deforestation limits just to begin. However, as of yet, the United States and many other countries around the world have little to no laws on the subject. Aside from a few U.N. discussions on the issue, there has not been too much talk about it either.
So, one of the best things we can do to fight against desertification is to spread the word about it to our government leaders. Desertification can happen anywhere in the world, so letting our governments know we care about this issue is very important. For those who live in the United States, sending letters of concern to state senators is a great way of letting them know that we care. Some may argue that this would make no difference, as the government officials don't have to act on them, but if we as a community begin to care more about desertification, and those officials appeal to us to be elected, then they may begin to focus more on it in the future. This could lead to specific policies or laws enforcing practices that could limit or possibly even stop desertification.
Limit your usage of water
No matter where you are in the world, limiting your usage of water can help prevent desertification. While it may have a smaller, more indirect effect than other solutions, using less water can ensure that less resources have to be taken from natural sources such as rivers, streams, and lakes. And, with more water left in these areas, they will be at less of a risk of drying out and becoming a desert. Remember: ANY area can be affected by desertification. Just because it may seem like an area is safe from it now, that doesn't mean we shouldn't start preparing for its future. If you are looking to limit your use of water, but are unsure how to do so, stick around as I will be posting some information on the subject in the coming weeks.
Support reforestation programs
This is probably the most direct way you can stop desertification. If you read my last post on the subject of desertification, you would know that often times it is caused by deforestation, or the clearing of forests. The sudden lack of vegetation in an area causes it to dry up and ultimately become a desert. As such, certain organizations are working to reforest areas by planting trees and cultivating new forests where they were once cut down. However, these organizations need support, and they cannot function on their own. So, here are a few reforesting organizations you can donate your time or money to if you wish to help prevent both deforestation and desertification:
The Eden Project- https://edenprojects.org/
Go Overseas (list of reforestation projects in other countires)- https://www.gooverseas.com/volunteer-abroad/reforestation
Ecosia (Chrome extension that helps to fund tree planting)- https://info.ecosia.org/project
Carbonfund- https://carbonfund.org/forestry/
Obviously, there are many, many more organizations that need help, most of which can be found with a simple google search. So, if you ever have any extra time or money on your hands, I highly suggest you consider donating them to any of these organizations.
Spread the word around
As mentioned before, information about deforestation and how to solve it are just being developed. And, as of yet, there is not too much focus on it in the grand scheme of problems. So, spreading the word about it to your friends and family really helps to get others involved and put desertification in a place of higher importance. This, out of most of the environmental problems, is probably the most important to spread around, as in many places it goes unnoticed until it is already to late. So, by telling others about desertification, we can make sure it isn't forgotten.
Conclusion
Ultimately, I can't make you care. Deforestation is a problem that is often swept under the rug because its effects can occur without our notice, and most of the solutions are either indirect or don't always involve the individual. If anything, however, this is all the more reason to talk about it. We need to start a discussion about this issue, to ensure that it isn't forgotten or even worsened. So, you don't have to participate in any of the solutions mentioned above, but if you do one thing, that one thing should be to spread the word about desertification. Start a discussion with your class or business, or even just mention it to a friend. The only thing I ask is that we don't let it be forgotten, just like any other environmental issue, otherwise it can have serious effects on both us and our Earth.
I wish I had more clear instructions about how to help. I wish I could have put more down, but I just couldn't find much other than what has been written already. So the main takeaway here? Don't be afraid to discuss. As of yet, there have not been many official solutions proposed, so anything is on the table. Debate about causes, debate about solutions, just get your opinion out there. Discussion, revision, and ultimately thought are what really is going to help this problem be solved. So let's get out there and talk about desertification, so we can start crafting and implementing the solutions of the future. Thanks for reading.
All credit for information used in this post goes to:
https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/causes-effects-solutions-of-desertification.php
http://www.livelihoods.eu/what-is-desertification-and-what-solutions-can-we-offer-to-stop-it/
http://www.cleanuptheworld.org/PDF/en/desertification---english.pdf
https://www.usaid.gov/news-information/press-releases/us-statement-drought-desertification-and-land-degradation
https://edenprojects.org/
https://www.gooverseas.com/volunteer-abroad/reforestation
https://carbonfund.org/forestry/
https://www.ecosia.org/
Images:
http://freshwallpapers.info/94-world-day-to-combat-desertification-and-drought.html
https://naturalhistory.si.edu/exhibits/unintended-journeys/africa-desertification.cfm
http://imgarcade.com/its-complicated-quotes.html
https://news.boisestate.edu/update/2015/04/09/boise-state-students-attend-national-model-united-nations-2/
http://atlantablackstar.com/2014/03/15/u-s-government-stop-controlling-internet/
https://www.nasa.gov/ames-partnerships/technology/contaminated-water-treatment
http://www.futuretimeline.net/blog/2013/06/4-3.htm#.WeNkNWhSyUk
http://www.doz.com/search-engine/top-7-google-alternatives
http://picphotos.net/spread-the-word-spread-the-herb/
http://the-sparkmans.net/Photo%20Gallery/Bosnia%20Deployment /Camp%20Butmir%202003/slides/Don%27t%20Forget.html
https://conservationbytes.com/2009/12/04/scoping-the-future-threats-and-solutions-to-biodiversity-conservation/
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