Figure 8.31 Regions at risk in a warming future. People in Africa’s Sahel region, which marks the transition from the Saharan Desert to moister conditions to the south, will likely suffer disproportionately from global climate change. This region is characterized by low income levels, high birthrates, and low agricultural productivity, which means the predicted future of drier conditions in the Sahel will probably result in regional food shortages. Can you think of other regions in the world that might face similar challenges if global warming leads to less rainfall? (Ariadne Van Zandbergen/Alamy.)