What is The Sahel?
Many of us are familiar with the common divisions of Africa: northern, west, sub-Saharan, etc. So, what, exactly, is the Sahel? The Saharan Coast From an Arabic word meaning “edge” or “coast,” the Sahel is effectively a border zone between the Sahara Desert in the north and the savannahs of the south. This vast, semi-arid […]
Water and Irrigation in The Gambia
Water is abundant in The Gambia. The tiny nation follows along the river for which it is named; one of its two seasons is defined by rainfall; widespread flooding is an annual concern. As climate change worsens, however, this vital resource is becoming increasingly unpredictable. Weather in The Gambia There are two seasons in The […]
The Gobi Desert and Revegetation
When it comes to a desert, most of us think hot and arid, with picturesque sand dunes and not much else. The Lut Desert, for example, is the hottest place on Earth, where temperatures reaching 159°F (70.7°C) have been recorded.[1] But while heat is often considered to be hand-in-hand with a desert, this is not […]
Water and Climate Change
Water Stress Water stress is when the gap between the need for water and the renewable availability of water is small. When a country must use 80% of its available water supply, that country is under “extreme water stress.”[1] Mexico, India, South Africa, even England has experienced these conditions. Parts of the US endure these […]