Permalink: https://media.greenpeace.org/archive/Nature-Reserve-Along-Silk-Road-27MZIFL7MPH7.htmlConceptually similarNature Reserve Along Silk RoadGP01WLNCompleted★★★★Nature Reserve Along Silk RoadGP01WLOCompleted★★★★Nature Reserve Along Silk RoadGP01WLQCompleted★★★★Nature Reserve Along Silk RoadGP01WLRCompleted★★★★Nature Reserve Along Silk RoadGP01WMOCompleted★★★★Vineyard Along Silk RoadGP01WNVCompleted★★★★★★Vineyard Along Silk RoadGP01WNWCompleted★★★★Nature Reserve Along Silk RoadGP01WLPCompleted★★★★Nature Reserve Along Silk RoadGP01WLSCompleted★★★★View AllGP01WLTNature Reserve Along Silk RoadThe landscape within the Dunhuang Yangguan National Nature Reserve is affected by desertification. The forest was planted in 1953 to protect Dunhuang City against destructive elements of the Kumutage Desert. The desert is expanding because the local Shule River holds less water, losing its grip on its banks and giving sand a chance to roam free. Increased population, agriculture and climate change have created a problem of desertification.Locations:Asia-China-Dunhuang-East Asia-Gansu-Jiuquan-Silk RoadDate:20 Aug, 2009Credit:© Greenpeace / John NovisMaximum size:5616px X 3744pxKeywords:Climate (campaign title)-Climate change impacts-Day-Desert plants-Desertification-Deserts-Dry-Forests (topography)-KWCI (GPI)-National parks-Non-urban scenes-OutdoorsShoot:Silk Road Climate Change ImpactsGreenpeace travels the iconic Silk Road in China to find how climate change has affected the famous trade route. The Silk Road was the world's first superhighway, a series of desert and mountain crossings that enabled silk to make its way from the ancient Chinese capital of Xian. The Silk Road allowed links between China and the West to flourish, encouraging an exchange of art, ideas and culture as well as trade. Desertification and drought has taken its toll on the Silk Road. The once great civilisations dotted along the road have now been consumed by the desert and the region is home to some of China's poorest people. The Silk Road is considered a climate hot spot, like the poles, where climate change is accelerating faster than in other areas. These changes include glaciers retreating at an alarming rate along the route. However, there is a twist to the story. Many parts of the Silk Road have exceptionally powerful wind resource locations. It is where China is now building massive wind farms and the renewable industry flourishes. Green factories are springing up everywhere along the route, most notably in Gansu and Xinjiang. The migrant workers who once traveled to Beijing for work have now returned home again to find new 'green' jobs.Related Collections:Silk Road Climate Change Impacts