Experts advise world policies to cope with causes, rising consequences of creeping desertification

14-Dec-2006
United Nations University

Joint International Conference Algiers, Dec. 17-19

migrants-300x165About 200 experts from 25 countries are convening in Algiers Dec. 17-19 to advise shifts in world policies needed to cope with the causes and growing consequences of desertification – a creeping environmental crisis that threatens an estimated 2 billion people living in arid places, and a growing concern worldwide due to its global health, economic and migration impacts.

Such policies, if successful, could directly reduce the impact of climate change while ensuring adequate food, water and livelihoods for dryland dwellers. And reducing poverty in drylands can have a strong impact on the efforts to curb the flow of people – popularly termed “environmental refugees” – inside countries as well as across national borders.

Full text: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2006-12/unu-eaw120806.php

Example coverage:

The Toronto Star, click here

Hamilton Spectator, click here

SciDev.net, click here

Agence France Press, click here