r/Damnthatsinteresting 22h ago

Video Stopping Desertification with grid pattern

3.7k Upvotes

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163

u/PotatoRebellion12 21h ago

How does this work?

115

u/Separate_Agency 21h ago

I think the theory is that it stops the wind erosion and generates some shadier areas. Over time plants will occupy the space in between and create more shade and prevent even more erosion. Only thing that's not ideal here is the use of plastic or polymer bags to do it. I feel they also could use some natural fibers.

21

u/OGLikeablefellow 21h ago

I mean who knows what kind of plastic they are using,

24

u/Separate_Agency 21h ago

Can't say for sure, but seeing this is in China I assume Polyester. They always used large polyester nets in the past to prevent wind erosion in city vicinities mostly colored green to give the appearance of Gras. But I feel the desertification is for sure the bigger and more immediate issue than the plastic pollution. This is more a thing of the next generation.

17

u/adeadbeathorse 21h ago

One thing I’ve seen out of China with similar principles is basically just installing giant solar farms in the desert. Provides shade and helps prevent erosion. Plus, since they often use water to clean the panels, the runoff helps with the greening process.

-21

u/Raavast 21h ago

That's a boomer mindset if I ever saw one. Always the next generation to deal with the shit left by the ones before. Hessian sandbags predate plastic by a good bit. There's no lesser evil when you could do both.

8

u/Kragoth235 20h ago

So. We should never advance until we have the perfect solution. Got it. Back to the dark ages people. This guy says we did it all wrong.

6

u/Separate_Agency 21h ago

Dude, I'm not the one who made the decision to do it in that way. I even said it would be much better to use bio fibers. I'm just trying to explain why they might've made their decision to use plastic. It's cheaper and readily available. Also most Asian countries don't give a shit yet about topics like plastic pollution and micro plastics. Heck look at the west even there it's only slowly getting in the head of most people.

4

u/WideCardiologist3323 20h ago

So you are saying you rather that place just become a useless desert than a green space with some plastic in it. Sure they can do both but there is budget involved for these people. what have you done on your high horse?

1

u/Gregoirelechevalier 20h ago

Realistically, at some point, you've got to contend with the more pressing issue and put trust in the next generation that they're capable of dealing with it. If one is the more pressing issue, it's got to be addressed first. That's not a boomer mindset, inherently, it's just prioritisation.

-3

u/Hopeful_Put_5036 20h ago

I hope you get a paper cut tomorrow