UN Report Highlights Escalation of Permanently Dry Land and Its Global Implications
A UNCCD report indicates that 75 percent of the world’s land has become increasingly dry over the past three decades, affecting about 40 percent of the Earth’s land mass. This shift poses significant threats, potentially impacting up to five billion people by 2100. Experts warn that the permanent drying of lands results from climate change and highlights the urgent need for adaptive strategies in agriculture and resource management to mitigate its effects.
A recent report from the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) reveals alarming trends regarding the increasing prevalence of permanently dry land across the globe. Over the past three decades, approximately 75 percent of the world’s land has become drier, affecting around 40 percent of land outside Antarctica. This transition, projected to impact up to five billion people by the year 2100, presents an “existential threat” to global systems, particularly agriculture, as dry conditions have expanded by 4.3 million square kilometers since 1990.
The report, presented during the Conference of the Parties (Cop16) in Riyadh, highlights that abnormal aridity now spans over 40.6 percent of the Earth’s land mass, an increase from 37.5 percent thirty years prior. Areas notably impacted include Mediterranean nations, southern Africa, southern Australia, and various regions in Asia and Latin America. UNCCD Executive Secretary Ibrahim Thiaw characterized this trend as a permanent transformation rather than a temporary drought, underscoring the profound changes that are reshaping life on Earth.
Key contributors to this phenomenon include rising greenhouse gas emissions, which disrupt rain patterns and elevate evaporation rates. Experts emphasize the urgent need for nations to adopt strategies that accommodate emerging arid conditions, evolving agricultural practices, and suitable plant varieties. However, caution is advised, as methods effective today may become obsolete in future scenarios. Lead UNCCD Chief Scientist Barron Orr warned that the consequence of this permanent drying could lead to catastrophic results, including escalating water access issues and drought-related migration, if not promptly addressed.
Amidst these concerns, scientists advocate for enhanced soil and water management practices and the integration of aridity metrics into current drought monitoring frameworks to build resilience in the most affected communities.
Overall, the reported data presents a sobering glimpse into the ongoing environmental shifts, emphasizing that mitigation strategies must evolve in accordance with the persistent challenges posed by climate change.
The alarming trends regarding the increase in aridity, as outlined in the UNCCD report, reflect a broader concern regarding climate change and environmental degradation. Over the past several decades, the Earth’s land has been undergoing a significant transformation, wherein permanently dry areas are steadily expanding at a rate that poses serious threats to ecosystems, agriculture, and human populations. The current findings stress the urgent need for global awareness and action to address the intertwined issues of desertification, water scarcity, and food insecurity, especially as the growing population faces dire consequences of climate change.
The UNCCD report serves as a critical reminder of the ongoing aridity crisis, which is exacerbating environmental changes that redefine life on Earth. With alarming statistics showing that approximately 75 percent of land has become drier, it is essential for countries to implement adaptive agricultural practices and enhance water resource management to confront these challenges. In light of the potential impacts on billions of people, acknowledging and addressing these changes is imperative to safeguard both humanity and the planet.
Original Source: www.rfi.fr
