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Rising food prices are hitting tens of millions of Africans and threaten to wipe out gains made over the last several decades, says an eminent panel of international leaders. The resulting crisis is creating a major humanitarian emergency and requires an immediate and thoughtful response on the best strategy.

(left) This map shows African countries most at risk from high food prices. The darker the red, the worse the danger.

J. Baker Hill/UNEP

Lake Chad is a remnant of its former self. The village of Doro-Lelewa in Niger was once on an island. By 2002 these boats were no longer needed to reach it.

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has published a new book which shows through satellite imagery how environmental change impacts every country in Africa. In the words of UNEP chief Achim Steiner, the book, Africa: Atlas of Our Changing Environment, "provides compelling evidence of the extent and severity of... dramatic change over the past 30 years on the region's environment due to both natural processes and human activities."

Click on our photo essays to see excerpts from the book's vivid images.

THE BAD NEWS: Environmental Change Threatens Africa

THE GOOD NEWS: Africa's Environment Can Be Rescued