Desertification: :
Desertification: The transformation of arable or habitable land to desert due to climate change or destructive land use such as overgrazing, deforestation, and poor land and water management. Currently China is experiencing dust storms similar to those that occurred during the “Dust Bowl” in the United States in the 1930s.
Perception of Desertification :
Perception of Desertification United States
Desertification is perceived as an historic event, the “Dust Bowl,” rather than a current threat.
As a party to the UN Convention on Desertification, US sees its role as assisting other countries to reduce global desertification. China
The frequent occurrences of dust storms has led to the perception that desertification important environmental issue.
Annual cost is about $2-3 billion
An estimated 110 million people suffer firsthand from the impacts of desertification
2,500 sq km turns to desert yearly
Dust storms In Beijing are more frequent.
1950s: every 7-8 years ;1970s: every 2-3 years; early 1990s: annually
China is also party to the UN Convention on Desertification Congress declared soil erosion a “national menace” during the Dust Bowl
Stakeholders :
Stakeholders China
Farmers
State government
Local government in the northwestern China United States
Within in United States:
Farmers
Non-profit Organizations
State and local environmental and agricultural agencies in Southwestern US
USDA, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and Soil Conservation Service (SCS)
Internationally:
US AID, USDA, and BLM
Other developed countries and developing countries party to the UN Convention on Desertification
Multilateral Development Banks
International and Local Non-profit Organizations This farmer’s house in Langtougou village is nearly buried in sand from China’s encroaching deserts.
Tools to Reduce Desertification :
Tools to Reduce Desertification China
Sustainable stock raising and agriculture
Reduce reclamation
Drylot feeding
Comprehensive treatment on sandy lands
Pasture enclosure
Domestic eco-farm
Natural resource management
Conservation of natural resources and integrated water management in arid, semiarid and dry sub humid habitats United States
Sustainable agriculture
Improved agricultural practices
Natural resource management
Conservation of natural resources and integrated water management in arid semiarid and dry sub humid habitats
Local capacity building and education
Establishment of grazing districts
Establishment of the Soil Conservation Service (SCS) in 1934 to develop extensive conservation programs and reward farmers for improving agricultural practices.
What can we learn from each other? :
What can we learn from each other? China from the US
It is important to have definite property rights of pasture and land.
It is important to recognize and attach importance to the positive role farmers play in reducing desertification.
It is important to develop long-term management plans not just implement stabilizations methods, such as straw check-board barriers. US from China
It is important to be aware of gradual environmental degradation. China repeated mistakes made in the US during the Dust Bowl and this pattern should not be repeated again.
Additional Information :
Additional Information Dust Bowl
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/dustbowl
UN Convention to Combat Desertification
http://www.unccd.int/main.php
Land Institute (promote Natural Systems Agriculture)
http://www.landinstitute.org/
Desertification in China (in Chinese)
http://www.desert.org.cn
Beijing's Desert Storm
http://www.gluckman.com/ChinaDesert.html
People’s Daily Article
http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/200303/03/eng20030303_112603.shtml
Center for International Earth Science Information Network (CIESIN)
http://www.ciesin.org/docs/002-224/002-224.html