Drought and desertification threaten the livelihood of more than 1.2 billion people
across 110 countries. Around 2 billion people live in “dry-lands”, which occupy around
40 per cent of the earth´s land surface, while 90 per cent of the people who live in
drylands are from DC (Kingsbury et al. 2012,314). Drought and desertification effect
strongly the development of a country. The town Baga in Nigeria, was once a
fisherman´s village. It was at the coast of the Tschad lake, now it is more than 30km
away from the lake. The increasing desertification of the region at Tschad lake drove the
city to become agriculturally centred, the outcome of desertification for the local
population is significant.
This essay argues for a strong impact of “environmental” problems like desertification
and deforestation on the development of a country. This essay wants to highlight the
importance of these problems for development science. The key argument of this essay
is the reciprocal influence between development and environmental problems.
Development often generates environmental problems, which in turn aggravates future
development.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- I. Introduction
- II. Explanations of the terms
- II.1. Deforestation
- II.2. Desertification
- III. The reciprocal impact
- III.1. Short term
- III.2. Long-term
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This essay examines the reciprocal relationship between development and environmental problems, specifically deforestation and desertification. It aims to highlight the significant impact of these environmental issues on the development trajectory of countries, particularly developing countries. The essay analyzes both short-term and long-term effects, demonstrating how development practices can lead to environmental degradation, which in turn hinders further development.
- The interconnectedness of development and environmental degradation.
- The impact of deforestation on livelihoods and global warming.
- The effects of desertification on agricultural practices and displacement.
- Short-term versus long-term consequences of the interplay between development and environmental issues.
- The role of economic policies and global markets in exacerbating environmental problems in developing countries.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
I. Introduction: This introductory chapter establishes the essay's central argument: the reciprocal relationship between development and environmental problems like deforestation and desertification. It highlights the alarming rates of deforestation, emphasizing the loss of biodiversity and the threat to the livelihoods of millions dependent on forest resources. The introduction also introduces the devastating effects of desertification, illustrating its impact with the example of Baga, Nigeria. The chapter sets the stage for a deeper exploration of the short-term and long-term consequences of this reciprocal influence.
II. Explanations of the terms: This chapter provides clear definitions of deforestation and desertification. It differentiates deforestation from swidden agriculture, emphasizing that deforestation involves a permanent loss of forest cover. The definition of desertification is drawn from the UNCCD, highlighting the scale of the problem and its impact on livelihoods and global economies. The chapter lays the groundwork for a nuanced understanding of the environmental challenges addressed in the essay.
III. The reciprocal impact: This chapter delves into the complex interplay between development and environmental problems. It presents a framework for understanding the intersection of environmental and developmental issues, arguing against considering them separately. The chapter explores the ways in which human activities, driven by development pursuits, lead to environmental degradation. It particularly focuses on the pressures of population growth, unsustainable agricultural practices, and the impact of neoliberal economic policies on land use and resource extraction in developing countries. The chapter introduces the concepts of short-term and long-term influences, preparing the ground for their detailed analysis in the subsequent sections (which are not included in this preview to avoid spoilers).
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Deforestation, desertification, development, developing countries, environmental degradation, sustainable development, population pressure, agricultural practices, economic policies, global markets, land use, resource extraction, reciprocal impact, short-term effects, long-term effects.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview
What is this document about?
This document is a comprehensive preview of a language essay examining the reciprocal relationship between development and environmental problems, specifically deforestation and desertification. It analyzes the significant impact of these environmental issues on the development trajectory of countries, particularly developing countries, considering both short-term and long-term effects.
What are the main themes explored in the essay?
The essay explores the interconnectedness of development and environmental degradation; the impact of deforestation on livelihoods and global warming; the effects of desertification on agricultural practices and displacement; the short-term versus long-term consequences of the interplay between development and environmental issues; and the role of economic policies and global markets in exacerbating environmental problems in developing countries.
What topics are covered in each chapter?
Chapter I (Introduction): Sets the stage by establishing the central argument of the reciprocal relationship between development and environmental problems (deforestation and desertification), highlighting alarming deforestation rates and the devastating effects of desertification. Chapter II (Explanations of the terms): Provides clear definitions of deforestation and desertification, differentiating deforestation from swidden agriculture and using the UNCCD definition for desertification. Chapter III (The reciprocal impact): Delves into the complex interplay between development and environmental problems, exploring how human activities lead to environmental degradation, focusing on population growth, unsustainable agricultural practices, and the impact of neoliberal economic policies.
What are the key terms defined in the essay?
Key terms include deforestation, desertification, development, developing countries, environmental degradation, sustainable development, population pressure, agricultural practices, economic policies, global markets, land use, resource extraction, reciprocal impact, short-term effects, and long-term effects.
What is the overall objective of the essay?
The essay aims to highlight how development practices can lead to environmental degradation, which in turn hinders further development. It demonstrates the significant impact of deforestation and desertification on the development trajectory of countries, particularly developing nations.
What kind of methodology does the essay use?
The preview doesn't explicitly state the methodology, but it suggests an analytical approach examining the interconnectedness and reciprocal impacts of development and environmental issues using examples and established definitions.
For whom is this essay intended?
While not explicitly stated, the comprehensive nature of the preview and the academic language suggest the essay is intended for an academic audience, possibly students or researchers studying development, environmental studies, or related fields.
Where can I find the complete essay?
This is only a preview; the location of the complete essay is not provided in this document.
- Quote paper
- Andreas Michaelis (Author), 2014, Deforestation and desertification. Critical development issues?, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/273552
