Desertification : exploding the myth / David S. G. Thomas and Nicholas J. Middleton.

Bibliography: 162-185.

Includes index.

1. Introduction -- 2. The history of desertification -- 3. Institutional developments -- 4. The institutional myth -- 5. Causes of desertification -- 6. Why does desertification occur? -- 7. Unravelling the myth -- 8. Key environmental issues -- 9. The future.

This controversial book argues that the reality of the expanding desert is not so much an objective scientific fact as a political, social and observational construct. Examines the origin of the desertification myth, how it spawned multimillion dollar research initiatives and became a leading environmental issue. Uses new research findings to demonstrate that this highly vaunted problem is extremely smaller and less locally significant than previously accepted. Includes a wealth of illustrations from global examples. This controversial book argues that the reality of the expanding desert is not so much an objective scientific fact as a political, social and observational construct. Examines the origin of the desertification myth, how it spawned multimillion dollar research initiatives and became a leading environmental issue. Uses new research findings to demonstrate that this highly vaunted problem is extremely smaller and less locally significant than previously accepted. Includes a wealth of illustrations from global examples.