A new report by the UN's Environment Programme, called the Global Deserts Outlook, highlights the increasing pressures faced by the world's desert ecosystems due to climate change, high water demand, and tourism. The report emphasizes that deserts are not barren wastelands, but rather biologically, economically, and culturally dynamic regions with significant potential if managed sensibly. The authors also express concern about the excessive use of water for water-intensive agricultural crops in these areas. Desertification is the focus of World Environment Day, with activities such as tree planting to combat erosion and educational talks in schools taking place. Various groups around the world are taking action to address desertification, such as planting vegetation on dunes in Mauritius and collecting computer parts for recycling in Australia. In Zambia, a beauty pageant called "Miss Environment" is being held, while in India, local schools are being encouraged to plant trees and build sandcastles to raise awareness about desertification. UN Secretary General Kofi Annan warns that poverty, unsustainable land management, and climate change are transforming drylands into deserts, which in turn worsens poverty. However, some positive changes are expected in the next 50 years. New economic opportunities, such as shrimp and fish farms in Arizona and the Negev Desert in Israel, are providing environmentally friendly livelihoods for local residents. Additionally, desert plants and animals are being viewed as potential sources of new drugs and crops. Experts suggest that deserts could play a role in addressing global warming, with some proposing that a portion of the Sahara could generate enough solar energy to power the world. However, many desert regions are projected to become even drier in the future, and the melting glaciers that sustain South American deserts are causing additional challenges. The consequences of human activity are still causing challenges. In both the United States and the United Arab Emirates, a growing number of individuals are opting to reside in desert cities, putting additional strain on limited water supplies. Mountainous regions within deserts are especially at risk, with their wildlife and ecosystems facing potential extinction within the next 50 years unless immediate measures are taken.