Drought

As part of our Library Chat series, Adam Sobel and Alessandra Giannini discuss the science, impacts, and history of drought in the Sahel region of Africa. They touch on the various forms of human influence on Sahel rainfall, Gianinni’s research on the topic, and the complicated legacy of the late Jule Charney, whose early work, later refuted by Giannini, suggested that drought and “desertification” could be caused by human land use in the region.

Alessandra Giannini

Alessandra Giannini is a climate scientist with over 15 years of engagement in international collaboration in scientific research and in science-policy dialogues, especially in Africa, Alessandra Giannini is best known for her post-doctoral work that conclusively demonstrated the oceanic origin of Sahel drought.

Adam Sobel
Environmental Sciences
2022

MORE CAHIERS

Library Chat: Carys Davies and Aubrey Gabel
Library Chats, Podcasts
JUNE 2, 2026
Library Chat: Finola Merivale and Catherine Sikora
Library Chats, Podcasts
MAY 27, 2026
Library Chat: Payal Kapadia and Adila Bennedjaï-Zou
Library Chats, Podcasts
MARCH 30, 2026
Library Chat: Bianca Jones Marlin and Gisella Vetere
Library Chats, Podcasts
MARCH 27, 2026
2025-26 Sidney N. Zubrow Memorial Lecture
with Barbara Hannigan and Nicholas Spice
Cahiers
MARCH 24, 2026
Jason Allen-Paisant and Sujatro Ghosh
Podcasts
JANUARY 28, 2026
A Sociocultural Study of the Fashion Industry in Papua New Guinea
Paige West
Cahiers
DECEMBER 18, 2025
Belarusian Resistance
Hanna Liubakova
Cahiers
OCTOBER 13, 2025
Between Care and Writing
Atelier Episode with Will Harris
Cahiers
AUGUST 12, 2025
Sound Painting and Other Ways of Hearing
Atelier Episode with Peter Susser
Cahiers
AUGUST 5, 2025
We use cookies to enhance your experience of visiting this website. Find out more.
REJECT