The Problem With Desertification As we approach the 21st century, the environmental problems that impact our very survival require urgent attention. Responsible governments and citizens can no longer doubt the seriousness of these issues. One issue that should be of great global concern is desertification. Desertification directly affects the livelihoods of more than one billion people worldwide (World Atlas of Desertification, 1997). These people are directly dependent of the land for their survival. Global financial loss (income forgone) due to desertification is estimated at US $42 billion annually. This figure represents only direct on-site loss. Indi