The study of aeolian dust in deep sea and ice core sediments, the analysis of long term meteorological data, the recording of trajectories of dust storms on satellite images, the development of new forms of dust trap, the recognition of dust activity on Mars, and the use of field wind tunnels, caused a huge expansion of interest in atmospheric dust in the 1970s and 1980s. Dust storms, which result from the entrainment of fine particles from deflated surfaces, especially in dry regions, are one indicator of soil erosion by wind. Various human pressures influence their incidence, including disturbance of desert surfaces. In many parts of the world there is evidence that dust storm frequencies are changing in response to land use and climatic changes, though it has often proved difficult to disentangle the importance of these two main factors. The USA Dustbowl of the 1930s demonstrates the serious nature of some past aeolian episodes. It remains to be established, however, whether analysis of meteorological data indicates whether or not increasing dust storm frequencies are the norm. Some areas have indeed shown increasing trends, while others have shown declining trends. Humans have developed techniques for wind erosion and dust storm control, most of them designed to protect cultivated fields from soil loss. Sand dunes have been reactivated on many desert margins by human activities, as have coastal dunes. Methods have been developed for dune and sand movement management. Future climatic change may be important for dust storm activity. If soil moisture declines as a result of changes in precipitation and/or temperature, there is the possibility that dust storm activity could increase in a warmer world. Sand dunes, because of the crucial relationships between vegetation cover and sand movement, have in the past proved susceptible to changes of climate and may thus change in the future. Coastal dunes will be impacted upon by future sea-level changes.