Open AccessDesertification is a prisoner of history: An essay on why young scientists should care
Author(s) -
James F. Reynolds
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
ecosistemas
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.182
H-Index - 6
ISSN - 1697-2473
DOI - 10.7818/ecos.2302
Subject(s) - desertification , prison , seriousness , confusion , narrative , ambiguity , environmental ethics , political science , sociology , history , epistemology , law , psychology , ecology , philosophy , linguistics , psychoanalysis , biology
Since its origins, the concept of desertification has been shrouded in controversy and ambiguity. As a result, no single definition of the term has been acceptable; there is no agreement on its extent or seriousness; and the solutions proposed are often disparate and counterproductive. This essay suggests all of this is due to the concept of desertification being a permanent ‘prisoner of history’, a historical process led by the United Nations Convention on Desertification (UNCCD). In this essay, I describe why the prisoner of history narrative applies to the concept of desertification. To do this, I review the historical events that built a metaphorical prison for desertification; show why definitions of the term ‘desertification’ are products of this prison; describe how so much misunderstanding and confusion in this field has led to real, negative consequences; and lastly, provide recommendations to young scientists as to how to avoid becoming incarcerated in this prison.