Editing Desertification (section)

=== Sand and dust storms ===
[[File:SHB-Red-Dust.jpg|thumb|View of [[Sydney Harbour Bridge]] covered in dust]]
There has been a 25% increase in global annual dust emissions between the late nineteenth century to present day.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Stanelle |first1=Tanja |last2=Bey |first2=Isabelle |last3=Raddatz |first3=Thomas |last4=Reick |first4=Christian |last5=Tegen |first5=Ina |date=2014-12-16 |title=Anthropogenically induced changes in twentieth century mineral dust burden and the associated impact on radiative forcing |journal=Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres |language=en |volume=119 |issue=23 |pages=13,526–13,546 |bibcode=2014JGRD..11913526S |doi=10.1002/2014JD022062 |s2cid=128663108 |hdl-access=free |hdl=11858/00-001M-0000-0024-A9A2-C}}</ref> The increase of desertification has also increased the amount of loose sand and dust that the wind can pick up ultimately resulting in a storm. For example, dust storms in the Middle East “are becoming more frequent and intense in recent years” because “long-term reductions in rainfall [cause] lower [[soil moisture]] and [[vegetative cover]]”.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Namdari |first1=Soodabeh |last2=Karimi |first2=Neamat |last3=Sorooshian |first3=Armin |last4=Mohammadi |first4=GholamHasan |last5=Sehatkashani |first5=Saviz |date=2018-01-01 |title=Impacts of climate and synoptic fluctuations on dust storm activity over the Middle East |journal=Atmospheric Environment |volume=173 |pages=265–276 |bibcode=2018AtmEn.173..265N |doi=10.1016/j.atmosenv.2017.11.016 |issn=1352-2310 |pmc=6192056 |pmid=30344444}}</ref>

[[Dust storms]] can contribute to certain respiratory disorders such as pneumonia, skin irritations, asthma and many more.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Goudie |first=Andrew S. |date=2014-02-01 |title=Desert dust and human health disorders |journal=Environment International |volume=63 |pages=101–113 |doi=10.1016/j.envint.2013.10.011 |issn=0160-4120 |pmid=24275707|bibcode=2014EnInt..63..101G }}</ref> They can pollute open water, reduce the effectiveness of clean energy efforts, and halt most forms of transportation.

Dust and sand storms can have a negative effect on the climate which can make desertification worse.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Hu |first1=Tiantian |last2=Wu |first2=Di |last3=Li |first3=Yaohui |last4=Wang |first4=Chenghai |date=2017-03-28 |title=The Effects of Sandstorms on the Climate of Northwestern China |journal=Advances in Meteorology |language=en |volume=2017 |pages=e4035609 |doi=10.1155/2017/4035609 |issn=1687-9309 |doi-access=free}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Wu |first1=Yao |last2=Wen |first2=Bo |last3=Li |first3=Shanshan |last4=Guo |first4=Yuming |date=2021-06-01 |title=Sand and dust storms in Asia: a call for global cooperation on climate change |journal=The Lancet Planetary Health |language=English |volume=5 |issue=6 |pages=e329–e330 |doi=10.1016/S2542-5196(21)00082-6 |issn=2542-5196 |pmid=33915087 |s2cid=233460168 |doi-access=free}}</ref> Dust particles in the air scatter incoming radiation from the sun (Hassan, 2012). The dust can provide momentary coverage for the ground temperature but the atmospheric temperature will increase. This can disform and shorten the life time of clouds which can result in less rainfall.<ref name=":52"/>