Download Dust storms to choke global environment

Media Release – embargoed 12:00 GMT, Thursday 19 August.
Dust storms to choke global environment
Global dust and the increasing frequency of dust storms may have severe consequences for human health,
coral reefs and climate change, according to research presented to the International Geographical
Congress in Glasgow today (Thursday, 18 August). Latest estimates of the global dust emissions are
approximately 2000-3000 millions of tonnes per year.
Advances in satellite imagery have made it easier to monitor dust storms and locate the world’s number
one dust source – the Bodélé depression in Chad. Annual dust production in parts of North Africa has
increased 10 fold in the last 50 years. Dust storms transport large amounts of material large distances –
from the Sahara to Greenland and from China to Europe – causing problems far from major dustproducing countries.
“Dust”, says Andrew Goudie, Professor of geography at Oxford University, “is one of the least
understood components of the Earth’s atmosphere, but one which may have a greater importance than has
been realised up until now for climate change”.
A key concern is the knock-on effect dust deposition could have on atmospheric carbon dioxide levels
and thus climate change. Dust deposition can lead to increased ocean productivity which in turn can
change atmospheric carbon dioxide levels which can affect temperatures and precipitation. This can lead
to drought and decreased vegetation cover and ultimately cause further dust deposition – and so the cycle
continues. Dust also reflects and absorbs heat from the sun.
The main sources of dust are focused in the Northern Hemisphere – hyper-arid areas containing old lake
beds, alluvial fans, river plains and sand dunes. Rising dust-causing trends include drought, wind
velocity, increased grazing and deforestation. Also, a process called ‘Toyotarisation’ after the 4x4 jeeps
that can disturb and damage dust.
Professor Goudie remarked, “The cross-boundary nature of dust makes it a truly global issue and one that
is not receiving the attention it deserves. The importance of dust basins as a source of global dust is now
being more widely understood and the magnitude of the environmental consequences identified”.
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The environmental consequences are varied and include such things as climate change, soil salinisation,
disease transmission, air pollution and even the neutralization of acid rain.
However, not all parts of the world are seeing an increase in dust storms. Some of the most well known
dusty regions such as North America, Mexico, China and Australia are producing less dust, helped in part
by good land management practices such as shelter belts, sensible levels of grazing and soil protection.
- ENDS Notes to editors
1. For further information please contact: Tina Gardner 07733 22 7896; Jonathan Breckon 07813 762 527;
John Williams 0771 258 4749. Email [email protected].
2.
Andrew Goudie is from the department of Geography, university of Oxford. He is available for interview.
The lecture entitled ‘Dust storms in the Global System’ will be presented at 12.00pm, Thursday 19 August.
3.
In March 2005, Professor Andrew Warren of the Department of Geography, University College London
and his team will make the first field study of the dustiest place on Earth in northern Chad to study the
region’s importance in global climate change. The research, supported by the RGS-IBG Grants Programme
Gilchrist Award, will see whether dust in some areas is more important than pollution in affecting climate
change.
4.
“One Earth – Many Worlds’ is the theme of The 30th Congress of the International Geographical Union, 15
to 20 August 2004, Glasgow. Further details of the programme: http://www.meetingmakers.co.uk/igcuk2004/
5.
The Royal Geographical Society (with The Institute of British Geographers) is the learned society and
professional body representing geography and geographers. It was founded in 1830 and has been one of the
most active of the learned societies ever since. It was pivotal in establishing geography as a teaching and
research discipline in British universities, and has played a key role in geographical and environmental
education ever since. Today the Society is a leading world centre for geographical learning - supporting
education, teaching, research and scientific expeditions, as well as promoting public understanding and
enjoyment of geography. www.rgs.org
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