Combat Desertification / Encourage Agricultural Sustainability

It is widely accepted that climate change is now occurring from increased levels of carbon in the atmosphere. Environmental stresses caused by climate change increase competition for soil and water resources. Studies show that a significant impact of global climate change will be in the projected increases of evaporation/transpiration with a corresponding reduction in drylands precipitation. These conditions will reduce drylands productivity.

Most countries with substantial drylands regions are threatened with the high risk of ecological destabilization. Working with a group of drylands consultants and international agencies (all would have extensive experience with global desertification and freshwater issues), my interest is to work in the Sahel on a series of projects to demonstrate the feasibility in two areas:

1. Forestation: reducing the scale of and preventing further desertification and negative influence of droughts;
2. Agricultural Sustainability: through the application of integrated traditional and modern farming practices and technologies in a participatory approach (nurseries, plantations, water harvesting, etc.); and by introducing new techniques for sustainable rural development (family gardens, school gardens, hospital gardens) to improve the socio-economic conditions of the rural people.

These strategies are needed throughout the developing countries. To further enhance the effectiveness and success, we welcome other partners with innovative technologies - such as solar/wind energy production and water filtration systems. Many of these types of technologies have already been proposed as projects and would be openly considered for integration in our efforts.

The final piece of this effort is social sustainability and education. At the highest level, this is the identification and support of willing national governments and local jurisdictions in the target region. Our team understands that there can only be long-term strategic success of these programs when there is local and national commitment as well as the potential to share in the benefits that will come from these programs.