Desertification

Before I start, I would like to apologize for turning in my June report a little tardy due to mechanical problems.

           June 17^th, it was the day of the ?prevention of desertification?. Since 1995, this day has been continued on for years. In 1995, the UNCCD made an agreement about future ways of preventing desertification. To celebrate this day, the ?prevention of desertification day? was made. Its main reason is to raise awareness of this phenomenon and to advertise on different ways of preventing it.

           To give a simple explanation about this happening, it is caused mainly by the loss of trees. When trees are cut down, that area will start to succumb to all kinds of dangers that the trees blocked from: direct sunlight, loss of diversity of animals, etc. The most toxic effect to that environment would be desertification. Like the term indicates, it would turn that area into a desert.

           To prevent this situation from happening, there are plenty of ways that we too can participate in. First will be the most obvious: planting trees. Doing this will eliminate all the causes of desertification. Second, although having a more indirect effect, would be to pollute less. Pollution at the end harms all species in the world and especially trees who ?drink? the carbon dioxide and other chemicals in the air.

At our school, our group decided to have a little campaign to advertise this day. Along with advertising with posters, we sold various eco-friendly products such as pencils made with recycled paper, scarves, and cards that glows a warning sign if the area it is in is being over-air-conditioned. We made a total of approximately $80 in profit which we all send to a NGO that will use the money to plant trees or other ways to help block desertification.