A sustainable energy oasis to combat desertification
Global warming is of concern to many environmentalists, but another issue creeping into the forefront is the increasing rate of desertification at the world’s equatorial belt. The Sahara Desert has been expanding, wiping out already sparse vegetation, driving out wildlife and making agriculture difficult to sustain in countries that, perhaps, need it the most. Some efforts have been made to reduce this spread, namely to protect endangered flora and fauna, and trees have been installed as fences, shielding areas from becoming heaps of sand, though the encroachment seems hopelessly inevitable, see this example of a fence in Northern Sahara.
Recently, however, National Geographic News recently reported on an exciting new project to be built this year, which is essentially a “sustainable energy oasis” in the desert. The oasis is being designed by the Sahara Forest Project, who is currently scouting locations not just in Africa, but in all of the world’s great deserts. Using high-tech equipment, the oasis is essentially a self-sustaining greenhouse aimed to create jobs, food, water and energy for local communities. Here’s one example from the article: “special greenhouses would use hot desert air and seawater make fresh water for growing crops, solar energy would be collected to generate power, and algae pools would offer a renewable and easily transportable fuel supply.” But of course, click here to read the article in its entirety.
Not everyone seems to be on board, though. Some ecologists believe building trees in a biome that never really had forests could be impractical or create problems to the natural environment. A similar argument could be made that the earth is constantly changing and desertification is a natural part of this change, let nature take its course. So then what is the green choice? I would argue that the green choice is one that recognizes humans as part of earth’s natural environment, not necessarily as antagonists. People need to be fed and they need jobs. Wildlife needs to exist. A balance needs to be struck and the Sahara Forest Project offers an exciting and feasible solution.