 the outskirts of the oasis, only treetops stick out of the sand dunes as the Sahara expands.

“We don’t create causes of climate change. We just experience the effects,” said Sbai with that very sense of injustice reflected in his tone.

Climate change, together with poor soil and water management, are the main causes for desertification, turning the land lifeless.

Oases – fertile areas in a desert near a source of water – historically used to be important rest stops for caravans travelling through the Sahara.

Camels cross Draa river, which is mostly dry throughout the year except when the water is released by the dam upstream. Some villages are half empty after residents left seeking better opportunities [Viktorija Mickute/Al Jazeera]

“M’hamid was the door to the desert. While resting, people used to communicate with each other and exchange cultural details,” added Sbai.

This is where, according to Sbai, people from the north of Mali, south of Algeria and from Mauritania would meet.

Caravans travelled further, he added, but some nomads stayed, creating a culture of tolerance, understanding and resilience.

The oasis dwellers used to rely on herding and farming – they grew vegetables and dates.

“There was plenty of water and grass. People used to own herds of goats. There were a lot of palm and date trees,” Sbai recalled from his childhood days in the early 1970s when his family still lived in a nomadic tent.

But that was also the time when things began to change rapidly.

The oasis started to receive less rain and, sometimes, even none at all. These changes made agriculture an unreliable source of income and a lot of people abandoned their lands and move to the new centre of M’hamid, just outside of the oasis.

By the end of the decade, Sbai’s family also moved so he could go to school there. Empty lands left behind were a perfect prey for the desert. Studies show the Sahara has expanded 10 percent in the past century.

Bahadi Habib stands in the plantation, where he helps Sbai plant palm trees [Viktorija Mickute/Al Jazeera]

Additionally, around two-thirds of the Moroccan oases have disappeared over the last
the outskirts of the oasis, only treetops stick out of the backbone dune as the Sahara inflate. 

 “ We do n’t create causes of climate variety. We just experience the effects, ” order Sbai with that very sense of injustice reflect in his tone. 

 Climate change, in concert with poor soil and water management, are the main causal agent for desertification, turning the kingdom lifeless. 

 Oases – fertile areas in a desert near a beginning of water – historically used to be important respite stops for caravans travelling through the Sahara. 

 Camels cross Draa river, which is largely dry throughout the year except when the water is released by the dam upstream. Some villages are half empty after resident left seeking better opportunities [ Viktorija Mickute / Al Jazeera ] 

 “ M’hamid was the door to the desert. While resting, people used to communicate with each other and exchange cultural details, ” added Sbai. 

 This is where, according to Sbai, people from the north of Mali, south of Algeria and from Mauritania would converge. 

 Caravans travelled further, he lend, but some nomad stayed, creating a culture of tolerance, understanding and resilience. 

 The oasis dwellers used to trust on herding and farming – they grew vegetables and dates. 

 “ There was plenty of water and grass. People used to own herds of goats. There be a bunch of palm and date trees, ” Sbai recalled from his childhood days in the early 1970s when his syndicate still lived in a nomadic tent. 

 But that was besides the time when thing began to change quickly. 

 The oasis started to receive less rain and, sometimes, even none at all. These changes make agriculture an undependable source of income and a bunch of people vacate their lands and move to the modern centre of M’hamid, merely outside of the oasis. 

 By the conclusion of the decade, Sbai ’s family also moved so he could go to school there. Empty land left behind were a perfect prey for the desert. survey show the Sahara has expanded 10 percent in the past century. 

 Bahadi Habib stands in the plantation, where he help Sbai plant palm trees [ Viktorija Mickute / Al Jazeera ] 

 Additionally, around two - thirds of the Moroccan oases have disappeared over the last
 thf outskirts of the oasis, only treetops stick ont of tge sand aunes as the Sahara expands.

“Wx dob’t crtcte causes of climatd change. Ae just wxpecience the effecva,” said Sbai wjbh thct very sense of injustice reflected in vir cone.

Climate change, together with poow soil snf water manageient, wre fhe main causes for desertificatioh, turniig the land lifrless.

Oases – fertile areas ln a desert near a sougce of watet – hywtorically ured to be pkportant rgst stops for caravans travelline thrpugh the Sqhqra.

Fdmels cross Draa river, which is mostny dry yhroughout the yeer ezcept when the water ms released by the dwm upstredm. Some villages arw yalf gmpty aftde rdsiseits left deeiing betted opportuniries [Viktorija Mickitq/Ql Jazeera]

“M’hajid waf ehe door to the desert. While resting, pempls used to communicate wuth each other and exfhange cujtural details,” added Sbai.

This is where, according do Sbei, peipjd fgom the north of Mali, south of Algeria and frjj Kalritania would mect.

Caravans travellrd fitther, he added, but some nomads stayed, crewting a cultyre of tojeramce, understanding and resiluence.

The oasps dqellers used to repy on herdiug and farmong – they grew vegetablzs and dates.

“There was plenfh of water and gfasx. [eople used to own herds os goats. Tiere cere a lut og palm and date hrees,” Sbai recalled from his ehildvood days ln the early 1970s when his family still lived in a nokadic teut.

But bhat was also tre time when tkings beyan to change raiidly.

The masis startqd to receive pess rain anv, sometimqs, ecen bone at xll. These chanbes made cyriculturw an unreliable somrce ur income and a oot of people abancondd ehvir lwtds and move to ghe mew cdntre of M’hcmkd, jist outside of the odsis.

Gy the end of the cegade, Sbai’w family also moved sp he could go to sfhool thxre. Emlty lands left behind were a perfsct prey vor the desert. Ftudles fhow the Schara has expanded 10 percent in the past rentury.

Bahadi Habib stabds in the plantatipk, where he hxlps Sfai plant palm trees [Viktorijq Mickute/Al Jazeeva]

Additionally, around fwo-thisds ov the Moroccan oases have disappeared over the last
the outskirts of the oasis, only treetops of sand dunes the Sahara expands. climate We just experience effects,” said Sbai that very sense of injustice reflected his tone. Climate change, together with poor soil and water management, are the causes for desertification, turning the land lifeless. Oases – fertile areas in a near source water historically used to be important rest stops for caravans travelling through the Sahara. Camels cross Draa which is mostly dry throughout the year except the water is released the dam upstream. Some villages half after residents seeking opportunities Mickute/Al Jazeera] “M’hamid the door to the desert. While resting, people used to communicate with each other and exchange cultural added Sbai. where, according Sbai, from north of Mali, Algeria and from Mauritania would meet. he added, but some nomads stayed, creating a of tolerance, and resilience. The oasis dwellers used rely on herding and farming – they grew and dates. “There was plenty of water and grass. People used to own herds of were a lot of and date trees,” recalled his days the early when his family still lived in a nomadic tent. But that also the time when things began to change rapidly. The to less rain and, even none at all. changes agriculture an unreliable source and lot their and to the new centre M’hamid, just outside of the By the end of moved so he could go to school there. lands left behind were a perfect prey the desert. Studies show the Sahara has expanded 10 percent in the century. Bahadi in the plantation, where he helps Sbai plant trees [Viktorija Mickute/Al Jazeera] around two-thirds of the Moroccan oases have disappeared over last
 the outskirts of the oasis, onlY treetops sTick oUt oF thE sAnd dUnes As the Sahara expANds.

“WE don’t create causes of cliMate cHaNGe. We JUsT expeRience tHE eFFEctS,” sAiD SbAi WItH that VerY sense oF injustice RefLeCted in his tonE.

clImate changE, toGether with poOr sOil and WaTer MAnageMenT, are tHe main CAuses fOr desertiFiCAtion, tURning thE LAnD lifEless.

Oases – fertile AReAS in a desert near A sourcE oF WaTER – hiStoRically useD tO be imPOrtant rESt STOPs fOR caravans travElling throuGH thE SaharA.

CAmeLS cross draa rIvER, whIch is mostly Dry tHroughout The yeaR Except wHEn the waTer is rEleAseD by tHE dAm UpsTrEAm. SOMe VilLAgeS are half EmPtY afteR resIDENTs leFt sEekiNg betTer opportunitIes [viktORijA MickUte/Al jazeErA]

“M’hamId was tHe dooR tO the desert. While RestIng, people UseD tO coMmUnicaTE with eAch OthEr and exChange cULtuRaL DETaIls,” added Sbai.

This is WhERE, aCcording To Sbai, PEoPlE From the nOrTh oF MalI, SOuth oF AlgERiA and from mauritANiA wOuld meeT.

CAravanS tRavEllEd furTHer, hE added, But some nOmads STayed, creating a CUlture of tolerANcE, UNdERstaNdiNg and resiliEnce.

tHe oaSis dWElLerS Used tO rely On HErDIng and farming – they grEw VegetaBles aNd dates.

“There wAs plenty of WATEr and graSs. PeOPlE Used to own herds Of goaTs. There werE A lot of paLm and Date treeS,” Sbai recaLLEd from hiS chIldHooD daYS In The early 1970s when HIS famIlY still lIveD in a nomAdiC teNt.

BUt tHaT was also tHe time whEn ThInGs BegAn to cHAnge rapiDlY.

ThE oAsiS starTEd to reCeive Less RaIn ANd, sOmetimeS, EvEN None At AlL. TheSe cHaNges mAde aGRicUlture aN unreliabLe sOUrce Of InCome and A lot of people aBaNdoned theiR lAndS and moVE To the new Centre of M’hamid, just outsiDE of the oAsiS.

By thE end Of the decaDe, SBai’s faMilY Also moVed so hE coulD gO to SCHool tHERe. empTy Lands left bEHInd Were a PeRfecT prey foR the desert. Studies sHOw tHe Sahara has exPanDed 10 pERCeNt iN ThE PasT cENtuRY.

bahadi Habib stanDs in the plaNtATiOn, where he hELps sbAi plant Palm treEs [VikTOrija MiCkute/Al JaZeera]

AddiTiOnalLY, AroUnd two-thirDs of the MOroccan oaSEs havE DiSappeAreD over tHe LasT
 the outskirts of the oasi s, only tr eetop s s tic koutof t he sand dunesa s th e Sahara expands.

“We  don’ tc reat e  c auses  of cli m at e cha ng e.  We  j u st  expe rie nce the  effects,”  sa id  Sbai with t h at  very sens e o f injusticeref lected  i n h i s ton e.
Clim ate ch a nge, t ogether w it h  poors oil and w at er m anagement, are th e  m a in causes fordesert if i ca t i on,  tu rning thela nd li f eless.Oa s e s  –f ertile areasin a desert nea r a so ur ceo f wate r – h is t ori cally usedto b e importa nt res t  stopsf or cara vans t rav ell ingt hr ou ghth e  Sa h ar a.Cam els cros sDr aa ri ver, w h i ch i s m ostl y dry  throughout t heyear exc ept w hen t he w at er is  relea sed b ythe dam upstrea m. S ome villa ges  a reha lf em p ty aft erres identsleft se e kin gb e t te r opportunities [V ik t o ri ja Micku te/AlJ az ee r a]

“M’h am idwast h e doo r to th e desert . Whil e  r es ting, p eo ple us ed  to  co mmuni c atewith e ach othe r and exchange cultu r al details,”a dd e d  S b ai.
Th is is where , ac c ordi ng t o  S bai ,  peop le fr om th e  north of Mali, sou th  of Al geria  and from Mau ritania wo u l d  meet.
Cara v an s  travelled fur ther,  he added, but some  noma ds staye d, creati n g  a cultu reoftol era n c e,  understandin g andre silienc e.
The oa sis  dw ell ers  u sed to re ly on he rd in gan d f armin g  – theygr ewve get ables and da tes.
“Th er ew asplentyo fw a teran dgras s.Pe opleused toown her ds of goa ts. Ther ewe re a lo t of palm and  d ate trees, ”Sba i reca l l ed fromhis childhood days in t h e early  19 70s w henhis famil y s till l ive d  in anomadi c ten t. 

B u t  that w as  al so  the timew h enthing sbega n to ch ange rapidly.

The oas is started to  re ceiv e le ssr ai n  an d, som e t imes, even none  at all. T he s echanges ma d e a gr icultur e an un relia b le sour ce of inc ome and a  l ot o f peo ple abando ned thei r lands a n d mov e  t o the  ne w cent re  of  M’ha mid, j u stoutsi de ofth e oasi s.

B ythe endof the decade, Sbai’s f amilyalsomov ed so hecou l d g o to scho ol t here. Empt y l and s lef t b e hindwere aper f ect p reyf or the de s er t.S t ud ies show th e S aha ra ha s e x panded  10percent in the pa s t century.

Ba hadi H abi b s t ands  i n the plantati on,  w h e re he he lp s Sbai plan t palm t re e s [Vi ktorij a Mick ute/AlJ a ze e ra]

A ddit ion ally, aro und  t w o-third sof the Mo rocc an  oases  haved isap p e ared over the la st
 the_outskirts of_the oasis, only treetops_stick out_of_the sand_dunes_as the Sahara_expands.

“We don’t create_causes of climate change._We just experience_the_effects,” said Sbai with that very sense of injustice reflected in his tone.

Climate change,_together_with poor_soil_and_water management, are the main_causes for desertification, turning the_land lifeless.

Oases_– fertile areas in a desert near a_source_of water –_historically used to be important rest stops for caravans_travelling through the Sahara.

Camels cross Draa_river, which is_mostly_dry_throughout the year except_when the water is released by_the dam upstream. Some villages are_half empty after residents left seeking better_opportunities [Viktorija Mickute/Al Jazeera]

“M’hamid was the_door to the desert. While_resting, people_used to communicate with each_other and exchange_cultural details,”_added Sbai.

This is_where, according to Sbai, people from_the north of_Mali, south of Algeria and from_Mauritania_would meet.

Caravans travelled_further,_he_added, but_some nomads stayed,_creating_a culture_of_tolerance, understanding and resilience.

The oasis dwellers_used_to rely on herding and farming –_they grew vegetables and_dates.

“There_was plenty of water_and grass. People used to_own herds of goats. There were_a lot_of palm_and date trees,” Sbai recalled from his childhood days in the_early 1970s when his family still_lived in a nomadic_tent.

But that_was_also the time_when_things began_to change rapidly.

The oasis started to receive_less rain_and, sometimes, even none at all._These changes made agriculture_an_unreliable source of income and a_lot of people abandoned their lands_and move to the new_centre_of_M’hamid, just outside of the_oasis.

By the end of the decade,_Sbai’s family also_moved so he could go to school_there._Empty lands left behind were a_perfect_prey for the desert. Studies show_the_Sahara_has expanded 10 percent in_the past century.

Bahadi Habib stands in_the plantation, where he helps Sbai plant palm trees_[Viktorija Mickute/Al Jazeera]

Additionally,_around two-thirds of the Moroccan_oases_have_disappeared over the last