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沙漠化是造成全球环境恶化严重的因素之一。沙漠化会引起食物不安全、饥荒和贫穷，从而导致社会、经济和政治的紧张。正是由于沙漠化的紧迫感，联合国大会决定宣布2006年为国际沙漠与沙漠化年。 (Words: about 270; Time: 3.5 minutes) The United Nations, or UN, has named 2006 as the International Year of Deserts. The UN wants to highlight the beauty and wonders of deserts throughout the world. But the United Nations also wants to call attention to the dangers the world faces as more and more land becomes desert. Large amounts of land that could once grow crops have become desert. Food can no longer be grown in those areas. More land is lost to desert each year. Special habitats Deserts are special environments, home to many different animals and plants. For thousands of years, deserts have also been home to many civilizations. Deserts are fragile environments. The UN is hoping to protect the older deserts as well as stop new deserts from forming. The dangers Experts believe that one third of the earths land surface is being threatened by the loss of cropland. When the land dries up and becomes desert, people cannot grow enough to eat. Experts believe this danger will affect about 1 billion people. Africa has been especially harmed by growing deserts. Experts believe about two-thirds of Africas people are threatened by this loss of cropland. | 
