Climate Change
CRISIS – Biosystem Viabilityby Christian Saravia
Global Commons
Feb 12th 20255 minsPhotograph by Georgina GoodwinAround the world, huge swathes of fertile land are turning into arid wastelands at alarming rates, threatening ecosystems, agriculture, and humanity. This process is known as desertification, and it is closely linked to the effects of climate change. —Desertification is accelerating due to rising temperatures, erratic weather patterns, and human activities. The consequences of desertification are devastating, affecting food security, biodiversity, and the stability of economies. Understanding the connection between climate change and desertification is crucial to mitigating its impact and preserving the resources of the planet. One main driver of desertification is rising global temperatures, which have led to increased rates of evaporation and less soil moisture, causing vegetation to die. When a region is already prone to arid conditions, it creates a cycle: vegetation loss depletes the nutrients in the soil, which in turn causes the land to become even more vulnerable to erosion. With no plant cover, the fertile ground then turns into a lifeless area. Erratic weather patterns can also contribute to desertification. Droughts can leave land dehydrated for years, while intense rainfall can wash away topsoil as opposed to replenishing it. Land affected by these extreme events will struggle to recover, and eventually become inhabitable for plant and animal life. Certain regions, such as the Sahel in Africa and parts of Central Asia, are examples of how climate change can exacerbate desertification. Unfortunately, humanity has also played a part in desertification. Overgrazing by livestock, deforestation, and unsustainable agricultural practices have been shown to degrade land. These practices reduce ecosystem resilience, which makes them vulnerable to the stress due to climate change. When fertile lands are lost, local communities are faced with food shortages, which forces them to expand agricultural activities into any remaining natural ecosystems, continuing the cycle of degradation.While the consequences of desertification are universal, its impacts can vary depending on the region. One way to understand the connection between climate change and desertification is to analyze case studies in specific regions where the effects of desertification are most prominent.The Sahel is a region in Africa that is semi-arid and is located south of the Sahara Desert. The Sahel has faced intense challenges due to climate change, such as prolonged droughts and failed agricultural cycles due to rising temperatures and erratic rainfall patterns. One 2022 report published by the Council on Foreign Relations showed that the region’s annual rainfall had decreased by up to 30% compared to the 1950s, exacerbating soil erosion and loss of vegetation. This vicious cycle transformed ferti