China's Loss of Land to Desert

, according to a story on MSNBC (January 20). More than a quarter of China is already desert, and sand dunes are now within 60 miles (96 km) of Beijing —and moving closer as quickly as 15 miles (24 km) per year! Last year many Beijing residents were hospitalized with respiratory problems attributed to sand storms. Intensive farming practices and deforestation are considered big factors in this desertification. China is trying to feed one-quarter of the world’s population with just 7% of the world’s arable land.