United Nations: Development Program
A Solution for the Annual Convention to Combat Desertification and Drought

Click on italicized words marked with an asterisk * to see the definition and hear how they are pronounced.

THE SITUATION

The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) is the UN’s major provider of development advice, advocacy* and grant support (raising money). With 132 country offices, it has enjoyed the trust and confidence of governments in many parts of the developing as well as the developed world. It is typically regarded as a partner rather than an adversary. The UNDP created the Office to Combat Desertification and Drought in 1973 to help with the drought in the Sahel. The office focuses on improving people’s livelihoods* throughout Africa’s Sahel.
Drylands are home to over 2 billion people throughout the world living in about 100 countries in rural* areas and urban* centers. This is 40% of the world’s total population. Despite some success in desertification control measures in some countries, especially in the Sahel in Africa, the process of desertification continue.
Man-made causes of desertification include expansion of agriculture, excessive land-use and poor irrigation* practices, deforestation and overgrazing. These practices have a direct link to poverty*. The relationship between aridity* and poverty is complex. What most evidence suggests is that people depending on the natural resource base are among the poorest of the world and highly vulnerable* to climatic variations.
This year the Convention on Desertification and Drought will meet in Kenya. They are accepting proposals for programs that will help solve some of the problems that come from desertification in the Sahel. The Chairman of the Committee, Ambassador Bo Kjellen will carefully scrutinize* all proposals to make sure solutions will help with agriculture practices, find alternatives to deforestation, aid in alleviating* poverty, and help local people practice the solutions. There is a general resistance among traditional farmers who are reluctant* to change, especially when the new methods require additional expense. Because deforestation is also a cause of desertification, all proposals submitted must address the economic tradefoffs* of fighting the destruction of primary rain forest (forest areas that have never been cutdown) near the Sahel Region.
You are the spokesperson for The Green Belt Movement (Click to read more about the movement)- a grassroots* Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) - based in Kenya - that focuses on environmental conservation* and community development. While this movement is based in Kenya it is looking to expand into other countries in Africa that faces the dangers of desertification and deforestation. As the Green Belt Movement’s International Chairperson you will propose several solutions to desertification to the UN committee at the Convention of Desertification and Drought. You and your committee of dedicated volunteers envision* new agriculture practices, financial support, and the replanting of trees to help the Sahel region. Furthermore you and your group realize that most countries that depend on agriculture are poor so you will help train local people in jobs that depend on something that is not agriculturally based.

YOUR TASK

* First, your job is to conduct an analysis of how population growth affects the endangered lands of Africa. If the population can the land sustain or support the number of people that will live on it? You will create a data set and chart illustrating the growth of people in the Congo, Cote D’Ivoire, Nigeria, Central African Republic and Kenya. You will show the United Nations team how population directly affects the land through deforestation.
* Second, you will write a letter to the Chairman and his committee, explaining The Green Belt Movement’s proposals to help the Sahel.
In the letter you will include
An Introductory Paragraph with an attention-getting opening statement. Following the opening statement you will describe
1. The organization The Green Belt Movement
2. The Green Belt Movement’s past successes
3. The Green Belt Movement’s vision for helping the Sahel Region.
·A Second Paragraph in which you describe the region that is being destroyed by desertification and drought or deforestation, showing the Chairman of the Convention that your organization understands the region. By reading the map, you must use geographic terminology to describe the relative location of
1. The Sahel
2. Congo
3. Cote D’Ivoire
4. Nigeria
5. Central African Republic
6. Kenya
*You will write about the population increase in each of these countries in the last three decades.
*You will mention how many square kilometers of rain forest have been destroyed and how population has affected these countries.
The Third Paragraph will describe the problems of deforestation. Include the following:
1. Why do people cut down trees
2. What are the causes of deforestation
3. Who benefits from deforestation
4. Who suffers from deforestation
5.How deforestation changes the land
6. How deforestation leads to desertification
7. Why is desertification dangerous.
The Fourth Paragraph will describe the solutions you and The Green Belt Movement have for the Convention of Desertification and Drought. Be sure to look at solutions that address the following groups:
1. People, the individual
2. The government
3. The United States and other countries
4. Any other non-profit groups like yours
The Final Paragraph will be conclusion summarizing the positive nature of The Green Belt Movement’s solutions and stating that as the spokesperson for The Green Belt Movement you look forward to the opportunity to collaborate on such a momentous* project.
You will end with the professional closing and a place for your signature followed by your typed first name, middle initial and last name. Underneath your name you will type the formal title of your job, i.e. Spokesperson for The Green Belt Movement. (See Letter Template.)

THE ISSUES

The following issues must be considered for your letter and addressed in your solutions.

A. Deforestation (What will be the extent of deforestation?)
· You must consider the deforestation caused from the area’s population growth
· What are the needs of the people to survive?
· You must consider the deforestation caused by logging
· How does deforestation lead to desertification
B. Population (How fast is the population growing in Africa?)
· How fast is the population in Africa growing?
· Why is the population growing so fast?
· How does a large population endanger the land and the people?
C. Desertification
· What are the causes of desertification
· What are people doing to contribute to desertification
· How is the United States and Europe involved in Africa’s desertification?
D. Local Agriculture Needs (How are all these people going to be fed? What techniques will be encouraged to properly use the land?)
· Identify the types of crops that will be grown.

Describe how the land will be cleared depending upon agriculture use

Slash and Burn
· Grazing Land for cattle

THE PROCESS

STEP ONE: Conduct the RESEARCH!!

USE the articles to consider the issues raised above. ON separate sheets of properly headed notebook paper, write down a specific answer for each of the questions related to each resource. In the margin, write the letter of the ISSUE above (A, B, C, etc.) next to the answer which addresses that issue.

The Causes of Deforestation (NASA Article: Tropical Deforestation- Why Deforestation Happens

· RESEARCH QUESTIONS
1. Why does most deforestation occur? How do farmers contribute to deforestation?
2. How does commercial logging contribute to deforestation?
3. How does the need for revenue * cause deforestation?
4. Why do peasants cut down the forest?
5. What is the last reason listed for deforestation? How would this reason relate to the Convention for Desertification and Drought?

The Rate at Which Deforestation Occurs (NASA Article: Tropical Deforestation- The Rate of Deforestation)

· RESEARCH QUESTIONS
1. What is the rate at which the rain forest in South America is shrinking?
2. What percentage of the Amazon River Basin deforested?
3. What percentage of the Amazon River Basin is damaged?
4. Drawing Conclusions 1: Why does the author want you to know the information provided in this part of the article?
5. Drawing Conclusions 2: How is what is happening in South America similar to what is happening in Africa?

The Consequences of Unchecked Deforestation (NASA Article: Tropical Deforestation-Deforestation and the Global Carbon Cycle and Deforestation and the Hydrologic Cycle and Deforestation and Biodiversity

· RESEARCH QUESTIONS
1. How does deforestation affect the atmosphere?
2. How does deforestation affect the weather?
3. How does deforestation affect the “biodiversity” of Earth?
4. Drawing Conclusions: Why does the author what you to know the information provided in these parts of the article?

Managing Agriculture and Logging (NASA Article: Tropical Deforestation- After Deforestation)

· RESEARCH QUESTIONS
1. How does deforestation affect the soil?
2. How long does it take for the forest to renew itself?
3. What are the benefits of “shade agriculture” to the rain forest?
4. Why is selective logging preferable to clearcutting?

Desertification (The Scourge of Africa)

· RESEARCH QUESTIONS

Explain the meaning of “environmental bankruptcy” in paragraph 4.

What does ASAL mean and how many millions of people live there (give the number and the fraction).

Africa’s ASAL has doubled in the past three decades. How has the population explosion help destroy a large part of Africa’s lands?

Drawing Conclusions: Knowing that a large population will hurt the land and the people in the long run, what do you suggest people do to stop the large population? Where else in the world do you think a large population can hurt the land?

Who Benefits? (Humankind and the Globe)

· RESEARCH QUESTIONS

“People destroy or degrade forests because, for them, the benefits outweigh the costs.” (Paragraph 5) What are the benefits- or what do people get from the forest that is so much more important than what it costs (the desertification, drought, etc)?

Deforestation in the world’s temperate forests is mainly caused by large companies or commercial logging. What countries benefit the most from deforestation? What products do they get and then sell?

The author says, “humans can make a difference” (paragraph 10-11). Explain what is green consumerism?

What are 5 suggestions to helping the rain forests and deserts? Include at least one suggestion for the government and one for industry.

Drawing Conclusions: What things do you use or eat on a daily basis that come from a rain forest.

STEP TWO: On a map color the areas of original rain forest brown and the current rain forest green. Label the 3 major deserts in Africa, the Sahel, and the countries that were used in the spreadsheet activity.

STEP THREE: Now that you have researched the issues, you can begin the prewriting activities for you letter to the Chairman of the Convention of Desertification and Drought. (See Letter Planning Form.)

STEP FOUR: Use a Business Letter Template (Contemporary Letter in Microsoft Word) to type the First Rough Draft of the letter. Then, after doing a spell check, print that completed draft.

STEP FIVE: Using the Self/Peer Edit form, complete a Self-Edit, making corrections on the letter. Then, wit the assistance of a parent/guardian or another teacher, go through this draft and edit again, using the same form. Make sure you have them sign the form stating that they read the letter and edited it with you the second time. Staple the Edit Form to the top of this marked draft.

STEP SIX: Make the corrections required from the Self-Edit. Run a spell check! Print a new copy.

STEP SEVEN: Bring this new copy to class on the Peer Edit date. Select a student you trust to use the Peer Edit form to conduct another edit. Staple the completed Peer Edit form to the top of this draft.

STEP EIGHT: Reread the scoring rubric. Ask yourself where your letter is described in the rubric. Why? Ask another adult or teacher to read the scoring rubric and your letter. It would be a great ideas to go to Mr. Wagner or Mr. Guthertz!!

STEP NINE: Make the corrections required from the Peer Edit. Run another spell check! Print a new copy.

STEP TEN: You are now ready to submit the project! Place the items in the following order and staple them together BEFORE you come to class! Use the boxes to check them off as you include them.

The Scoring Rubric
The Time Management Log
The Final Draft
The Peer Edit Form with the draft attached
The Self-Edit Form with the draft attached
The Letter Planning Form
The Research Questions and the answers

Article Analysis Directions for creating a Graphic Organizer

1. Divide sheet of paper into 4 quadrants putting ONE topic title per page.
2. Write ONE question in each quadrant- for sections with 5 or 6 questions, write on the back.
3. Assign students to TWO articles each.
4. Students SCAN the article, looking for the answer for the questions.
5. Record the answers in the appropriate quadrant. Paraphrase in own words rather than copying word for word.
6. Assign a person to present each question when asked to share the answers aloud to the entire class.
7. While groups present to the class, take notes for the answers of the other questions.

The Problem-Solution Letter Planning Form

To the Honorable Chairman of the Convention:

Appropriate Salutation to a government official

Paragraph #1: Describe your position and your organization using the information of the simulation direction called THE SITUATION. Be sure to begin with an attention getting opening statement. Three samples are listed below. You may use ONE or create your own based upon these examples. Do NOT use all three examples! Do NOT write Paragraph 1!

The Green Belt Movement is the organization to accomplish the goals for

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

The Green Belt Movement is a leader among the world’s innovative reforestation groups that

_______________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

You can Experience the best with the Green Belt Movement. As we work together, we can

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

In the remainder of the paragraph be sure to describe the organization of Green Belt Movement, the vision for the African tropical rain forests and its plan to help the convention. Begin this information with a phrase similar to the one below or create one of your own.

As the spokesperson for the Green Belt Movement, I want you to know that

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Paragraph #2: Using geographical directional language, describe the area that is being destroyed in Africa by Deforestation and Desertification. You are describing the relative location of the features of the areas as you see them on the map. Be sure to include phrases like, “In the north,” “To the west of,” “Moving south,” to fully describe the region. (See the directions under YOUR TASK for Paragraph #2).

Begin by writing a statement similar to . . .

The Green Belt Movement fully understands the region and the importance of careful planning to ensure …

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Now mention any trends or patterns in population that you noticed in the countries from 1970 to 1990. Make a prediction to what the 2000 population numbers would be. Explain whether deforestation rates have increased or decreased over the decades. What is the connection between large populations and the degradation of land?

_________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Paragraph #3: Describe the problems that stem from deforestation. Explain each problem and why it is a problem. Make sure to include a problem for each of the following:

· Problems to the land.
· Problems to the climate.
· Problems for the people.

Begin by using a phrase similar to . . .

There are many problems that stem from deforestation…

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Now explain why these are problems. Begin by writing something like…

These are problems because

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Continue this paragraph by addressing the need to act quickly to save the endangered lands of Africa.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Paragraph #4: Describe the solutions for the problems. Begin the paragraph with a transition sentence such as,

However, The Green Belt Movement realizes that even with these dangers we can

Despite these obstacles, The Green Belt Movement has several possible and realistic solutions

Faced with these devastating problems we are ready to

Do NOT use all three of these sentences to begin this paragraph!

Beginning your second sentence of paragraph 4, continue to describe your plan to solve some of the problems.(Look for the directions under YOUR TASK for Paragraph 4 for a complete list of solutions you should address).

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

The Final Paragraph will be a conclusion summarizing the positive nature of The Green Belt Movement’s proposals and stating that as the spokesperson for The Green Belt Movement you look forward to the opportunity to collaborate on such a momentous * project.

Begin with a transitional word like therefore, finally, hence…

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Sincerely, this is the closing statement

_______________________ sign your name here in cursive

_______________________ print your name here

Spokesperson for The Green Belt Movement this is your professional title

COMPUTER BASED GEOGRAPHY NAME_________________

Ms. Taylor Period ___ Date __/___/___

Time Management Log

African Deforestation and Desertification Project

The Problem – Solution Letter

I understand that my student is involved in a long-term assignment that has many components or parts. This is a major assignment for the second semester grade. Each of the components and their point values are listed below. Each component will have a due date and cannot be made up for credit if missed, but will still need to be done to continue the project. The final copy cannot be submitted without evidence of process *. A second copy of this sheet is available for you to tear off below in order for you to keep track of your student’s progress. We recommend posting the copy on the refrigerator or somewhere where you look often. It should be checked weekly. Look for teacher stamps on the student copy to monitor progress.

Parent signature ____________________________________ Date ____/____/____

Student signature ___________________________________ Date ____/____/____

Name of Assignment Due Date ** Deadline Points Possible/Earned

*Spreadsheet and Chart ___/___/___ met__missed__ 20 points/____

* Research for letter ___/___/___ met__missed__ 20 points/____

*Handwritten Planning

Template ___/___/___ met__missed__ 20 points/____

*Typed Self Edited

draft w/ signature ___/___/___ met__missed__ 20 points/____

*Typed Peer Edited

draft w/ signature ___/___/___ met__missed__ 20 points/____

*Typed Final Copy

w/Parent Signature ___/___/___ met__missed__ 20 points/____

**See your Assignment Log

PARENT/GUARDIAN COPY

Name of Assignment Due Date ** Deadline Points Possible/Earned

*Spreadsheet and Chart ___/___/___ met__missed__ 20 points/____

* Research for letter ___/___/___ met__missed__ 20 points/____

*Handwritten Planning

Template ___/___/___ met__missed__ 20 points/____

*Typed Self Edited

draft w/ signature ___/___/___ met__missed__ 20 points/____

*Typed Peer Edited

draft w/ signature ___/___/___ met__missed__ 20 points/____

*Typed Final Copy

w/Parent Signature ___/___/___ met__missed__ 20 points/____

**See your Assignment Log

Name ____________________

Period _____ Date ____/_____/_____

The Problem-Solution Letter

A 95-100

· Letter is professionally typed with no grammar or spelling errors.

· Letter contains all required elements including return address, recipient address, salutation, introductory paragraph, conclusion, and closing statement.

· Paragraph #2: Contents thoroughly and specifically describes the areas in danger in Africa using geographic language to describe relative location.

· Paragraph #3: At least three problems are described well and thoughtfully by identifying what the problem is and what caused the problem.

· Paragraph #4: Contents thoroughly and specifically at least three solutions for the endangered lands.

B 85

· Letter is professionally typed with no grammar or spelling errors that can be detected by spell check.

· Letter contains all required elements including return address, recipient address, salutation, introductory paragraph, conclusion, and closing statement.

· Paragraph #2: Contents thoroughly describes the Africa endangered regions.

· Paragraph #3: Mentions two problems that are described with some thought and some insight.

· Paragraph #4: Contents specifically identifies two solutions.

C 75

· Letter is professionally typed with few grammatical or spelling errors that can be detected by spell check.

· Letter contains all required elements including return address, recipient address, salutation, introductory paragraph, conclusion, and closing statement.

· Paragraph #2: Contents describe some of the endangered regions.

· Paragraph #3: Mentions less than two problems with minimal thought and minimal insight.

· Paragraph #4: Contents identify less than 2 solutions.

65- Does not meet standard

· Letter is typed by may have grammar or spelling errors.

· Letter contains most required elements.

· Contents may not adequately describe the region.

· The proposed problems and solution reveals little or no thought and little or no insight.

Zero- Does not meet the minimum requirements as outlined in the instructions.

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Updated: January 9, 2003