Desertification in China is a pressing environmental challenge. Here is some alarming data, from AFP:
“China has raised the environmental alarm bell after a survey found over a quarter of its land has become desert, with much of the damage caused by human activity. Desertification has affected 28 per cent of China’s land mass, with 18 per cent of the country turning to waste through the effects of overgrazing, deforestation and other ravages, the China Daily said, citing a State Forestry Administration survey. The report followed another survey last week which showed soil erosion affected 37 per cent of China’s land”.
And here are some images of villages, houses, towns and cities in sandstorms, caused by the increasingly severe desertification, from the popular overseas Chinese BBS: wenxueciti.com:
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UPDATE: Thanks to Mara Hvistendahl for pointing out the original source of these photos. They come from the Walrus’ feature on desertification: The Chinese Dust Bowl. Benoit Aquin is the photographer.
