1. Desertification of theAfrican Sahel Fact or Fiction?

4. Overgrazing

5. Overutilization

7. Hardships Failing crops Starving livestock Lack of water Encroachment of sand dunes Forced relocation

8. “The People” Mostly nomadic herders. Some millet and peanut farmers Diverse and rapidly growing population From 1970 to 1980 300,000 people And 5 million livestock Died

9. Causes Overutilization of land Livestock Overpopulation Increased farming Land clearing Increased soil erosion/degradation Improper irrigation Destruction of natural plants for firewood/homes Increase in population

10. Causes Continued Trend of reduced rainfall Reducing indigenous plant presence Disappearance of water sources Lack of preventive efforts The people The government

11. Controversy Climate change trend Reduced rainfall each year Rising ocean temperatures Wind erosion Dust storms Nitrogen cycle

12. Combating the Problem Restoration of plant life Replanting of indigenous plants Conservation protection Dune control Fences Grasses Other Water utilization More efficient irrigation Storage Reduced erosion Stopping waste Regulation Livestock Farming Irrigation Land clearing

13. Organizations USDESA-DSD – National panel for funding of restoration Sahel Opera Project – Album promoting change International Fund for Agricultural Development – Funding program for restoration AOSIS Land and Development Solutions International – Land Development Eden Foundation – Self Sufficiency through knowledge UNEP – Surveyors for restoration

14. Which Will it Be?