COMBAT DESERTIFICATION

n less than two centuries of industrial revolution, the man has managed to deteriorate his habitat, the Earth, beautiful and fragile result of millions of years or evolution.

We are totally convinced that time has come to act, to repair what can be repaired to prepare the future, so that humanity will have further progressed in its evolution in a more conscious and fair world, the Earth will still be capable of providing a shelter for its inhabitants.

Today, our planet is running out of steam because it doesn't have any longer its own natural means to compensate men's ecological print.

The point of alter is reached. Natural balances prove to be more fragile than men have been used to imagine for decades. The erosion of biodiversity has reached a level unique in life's history on Earth.

Destructions of forests take such proportion that, every single year, more than twelve million hectares disappear, which is the equivalent of four times the total surface of Belgium.
No one can ignore this implacable fact: the Earth has reached an unprecedented point of vulnerability and now the damage is visible to the naked eye.

We have a duty of solidarity towards the next generations. We have to accept our heavy responsibility in the current situation. We have no right to leave to our children as unique heritage the administration of our mistakes. If we don't take immediate actions, we will be guilty of non assistance towards the humanity in danger.

There are many ways to combat deforestation. One way is through reforestation, or simply replanting trees in areas where the forest has been cleared. Eco-forestry is the process of cutting down only carefully selected trees so that the forest ecosystem is preserved. Community forestry is another way to use forests without destroying them. This involves a coordinated effort by local populations to manage their forestlands to keep them sustainable. Land-use planning also uses development practices that are environmentally friendly, such as reducing urban sprawl that threatens forests.

Trees are absolutely vital to life here on Earth, but they are also being destroyed at an alarming rate.  So many of the choices we make throughout the day when we're shopping, eating, or even driving, are powered by deforestation.  Trees are cut and burned down for a number of reasons. Forests are logged to supply timber for wood and paper products, and to clear land for crops, cattle, and housing. Other causes of deforestation include mining and oil exploitation, urbanization, acid rain and wildfires. And according to the United Nation's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the 33 million acres of forestland that are lost annually around the globe are responsible for 20% of human-caused greenhouse gas emissions.  Deforestation also contributes toair and water pollution, a loss of biodiversity, erosion, and climatic disruption.

 

So what can you do about deforestation?

 

One easy way to combat deforestation is to plant a tree. But you can take it one step further by making sure the choices you make at home, at the store, at work, and on the menu don’t contribute to the problem. Here’s what you can do about deforestation.

 

1. Plant a tree.
2. Go paperless.
3. Recycle and buy recycled products.
4. Look for Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification on wood and wood products.
5. Eat vegetarian meals as often as possible.

Read more: http://www.mnn.com/family/family-activities/blogs/5-ways-to-stop-deforestation#ixzz346vArwacThe United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in Those Countries Experiencing Serious Drought and/or Desertification, Particularly in Africa (UNCCD) is a Convention to combat desertification and mitigate the effects of drought through national action programs that incorporate long-term strategies supported by international cooperation and partnership arrangements.

The Convention, the only convention stemming from a direct recommendation of the Rio Conference's Agenda 21, was adopted in Paris, France on 17 June 1994 and entered into force in December 1996. It is the first and only internationally legally binding framework set up to address the problem of desertification. The Convention is based on the principles of participation, partnership and decentralization—the backbone of Good Governance andSustainable Development. It has 196 parties, making it truly global in reach. In 2013, Canada became the first country to announce its intention to withdraw from the convention.^[1]

To help publicise the Convention, 2006 was declared "International Year of Deserts and Desertification" but debates have ensued regarding how effective the International Year was in practice.^[2]