Desertification Learning Quest: Select

Background · Mongolian herder · Environmentalist · Government official · Mining investor · Tour operator Background questions What are the key geographical characteristics of Inner Mongolia? What are the key economic development issues in Inner Mongolia? How is desertification affecting people living in Inner Mongolia? Mongolian herder What is your traditional way of life? How have you traditionally made a living? How is desertification affecting your way of life? How has modern life impacted on you? What changes could you make to protect the environment? What assistance do you need to protect your culture? What assistance do you need to help you make a living? Environmentalist How is desertification affecting the environment? Why is it important to protect biodiversity? How successful are current methods of addressing desertification? What changes would you recommend to combat desertification? How can people living in the areas suffering desertification be supported? Government official What activities are being undertaken to combat desertification and protect the environment? How is the culture and traditional knowledge of indigenous people being valued? How can people living in the areas suffering desertification be supported? What resources are available for future projects to combat desertification? Mining investor What mining possibilities exist in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of China? How could mining provide economic benefits for the community and the government? What difficulties does the expansion of the mining industry face? How does desertification impact on mining? What controls have been implemented to address environmental concerns? Tour operator What tourism possibilities exist in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of China? How could tourism provide economic benefits for the community and the government? What difficulties does the expansion of the tourism industry face? How is desertification affecting tourism? How can tourism limit its impact on the environment? How can tourism respect the cultural heritage of the people of the area?

Each person should research the issues of desertification as they affect their specific role. There are some focus questions posed to assist you in your reading, understanding and reporting back to the group about your role. Remember to think all the time about what actions you can suggest to help address the issues of desertification in Inner Mongolia. Make notes and record where you found your information. You can use the bibliography framework template.