A new report, the Global Deserts Outlook produced by the UN's Environment Programme, highlights the increasing pressures faced by desert ecosystems due to climate change, high water demand, and tourism. The report emphasizes that deserts have significant economic benefits if managed properly, contrary to the perception of them being barren wastelands. The authors recommend reducing water-intensive agricultural practices in these regions to ensure sustainable management of resources. Desertification is the focus of World Environment Day activities on Monday, with various initiatives taking place around the world. Ecologists are planning to plant trees to combat erosion and deliver educational talks in schools. In Mauritius, a group is planting vegetation on dunes to protect beaches, while activists in Australia are collecting computer parts for recycling. In Zambia, a "Miss Environment" beauty pageant is being held, and in Vadodara, India, local schools are being encouraged to plant trees and build sandcastles to raise awareness about deserts and desertification. UN Secretary General Kofi Annan highlighted the link between poverty, unsustainable land management, and climate change in turning drylands into deserts. Despite concerns, some positive changes are expected in the next 50 years. New economic opportunities are emerging in places like Arizona and the Negev Desert in Israel, with shrimp and fish farms providing environmentally friendly livelihoods for locals. Desert plants and animals are being recognized as valuable sources of new drugs and crops. Some experts believe that deserts could play a role in combating global warming, with the potential for a large area in the Sahara to capture enough solar energy to meet the world's electricity needs. However, many desert regions are projected to face drier conditions in the future, and the melting glaciers that sustain deserts in South America are causing problems. The consequences of human activity are still causing challenges. Both the United States and the United Arab Emirates are experiencing a growing population in desert cities, leading to increased strain on limited water supplies. Mountainous regions in deserts are especially at risk, with their wildlife and ecosystems in danger of disappearing within the next 50 years if immediate action is not taken.