27.
38% of World's Land in Danger of Turning into Desert
Brian Merchant, February 10, 2010
And now an analysis of the global desertification threat has revealed that 38% of surfaces around the world are vulnerable.
Science Daily reports:
“Researchers have measured the degradation of the planet's soil using the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), a scientific methodology that analyses the environmental impact of human activities, and which now for the first time includes indicators on desertification. The results show that 38 percent of the world is made up of arid regions at risk of desertification.”
Which is unfortunate news, to say the least. The study divided the world's land into "15 natural areas or "eco-regions" according to their degree of aridity." And 8 of those eco regions--that cover 38% of the planet--were deemed at risk of falling victim to desertification.
According to Science Daily, the 8 areas most prone to turn into desert are:
• coastal areas
• the Prairies
• the Mediterranean region
• the savannah
• the temperate Steppes
• the temperate deserts
• tropical and subtropical Steppes
• the tropical and subtropical deserts
Science Daily reports:
“Researchers have measured the degradation of the planet's soil using the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), a scientific methodology that analyses the environmental impact of human activities, and which now for the first time includes indicators on desertification. The results show that 38 percent of the world is made up of arid regions at risk of desertification.”
Which is unfortunate news, to say the least. The study divided the world's land into "15 natural areas or "eco-regions" according to their degree of aridity." And 8 of those eco regions--that cover 38% of the planet--were deemed at risk of falling victim to desertification.
According to Science Daily, the 8 areas most prone to turn into desert are:
• coastal areas
• the Prairies
• the Mediterranean region
• the savannah
• the temperate Steppes
• the temperate deserts
• tropical and subtropical Steppes
• the tropical and subtropical deserts
Fierce national competition over water resources has prompted fears that water issues contain the seeds of violent conflict.
- Kofi Annan (UN Chief)
The areas at greatest risk are the subtropical deserts--areas in North Africa, Australia, and the Middle East were determined to have the highest desertification risk factor, a 7.6 out of 10. The Mediterranean region had the next highest risk. And bear in mind that while all of this sounds a little heavy on the doom and gloom side, it's very real: there are estimates that in China, for example, 1300 square miles of desert are created every year.
This sobering news means that an additional emphasis must be placed on land management and careful water conservation, especially in the most at-risk areas--unless we want to see a full third of the planet eventually get swallowed up in desert.
This sobering news means that an additional emphasis must be placed on land management and careful water conservation, especially in the most at-risk areas--unless we want to see a full third of the planet eventually get swallowed up in desert.
Travelling Spiritual Performers Bring Rain To Australia
For the last six years Australians have suffered the worst drought in a thousand years, say leading agriculturalists. As a result the price of food has nearly doubled in some areas. Water conservation schemes are mandated by local governments across the predominantly arid continent. Declared by politicians to be a national crisis, the situation is a recurring theme in the media and in citizens’ minds.
Is it just coincidence that one of the longest uninterrupted streaks of wet weather broke at the same time Indradyumna Swami and his traveling spiritual festival team arrived on Australian shores?
Billed as ‘Le Carnaval Spirituel’ this vivid stage performance brings forth the timeless spiritual wisdom of ancient India’s Vedic art and culture; culminating in a rousing full audience participation kirtana (call and response chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra). The European troupe of performing artists present eastern spirituality fused with a twist of the contemporary. Le Carnaval Spirituel, established in France in 1979, has for many years entertained audiences in Europe’s largest music festival “Woodstock” which annually attracts crowds in excess of 250,000 people.
(From The West Australian)
