Global Drylands Expand as 77.6% of Earth’s Land Becomes Permanently Drier Since 1990
A recent UNCCD report reveals that 77.6% of Earth’s land has become permanent drylands since 1990, affecting 5 billion people by 2100 unless greenhouse gas emissions are curbed. Drylands now comprise 40.6% of the planet’s land, with significant implications for water accessibility and forced migration, as areas become increasingly uninhabitable due to climate change.
A significant report indicates that over three-quarters of the Earth’s land has become permanently drier over the past three decades. From 1990 to 2020, 77.6% of the planet’s land area registered a shift towards drier climates, according to findings presented by the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). Alongside this trend, drylands expanded by approximately 4.3 million square kilometers, a region larger than one-third of India. Presently, drylands constitute 40.6% of the global terrestrial surface, a notable increase from 37.5% three decades earlier, despite occurrences of major floods and storms.
Experts voice alarm over what they describe as an “existential crisis” that is likely to impact five billion people globally by the end of the century. The report emphasizes the urgent need for action to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, predicting that without intervention, an additional 3% of the world’s humid areas may transition to drylands by the century’s conclusion. Projections indicate expansive dryland regions could emerge across the Midwestern United States, parts of Mexico, Venezuela, Brazil, Argentina, the Mediterranean, southern Africa, and southern Australia.
Titled “The Global Threat of Drying Lands: Regional and Global Aridity Trends and Future Projections,” this report underscores the permanent nature of aridity, differentiating it from temporary droughts which eventually relent. Ibrahim Thiaw, the UNCCD executive secretary stated, “Unlike droughts – temporary periods of low rainfall – aridity represents a permanent, unrelenting transformation.” The report attributes this transition primarily to human-induced climate change, largely a result of greenhouse gas emissions derived from electricity generation, transportation, and industrial activities.
The consequences of this increasing aridity are dire, with projections suggesting that up to five billion individuals may reside in drylands by 2100, leading to significant migration challenges as communities abandon their homes due to water scarcity and agricultural failure. These developments hold significant social and political implications globally. “For decades, the world’s scientists have signaled that our growing greenhouse gas emissions are behind global warming. Now, for the first time, a UN scientific body is warning that burning fossil fuels is causing permanent drying across much of the world, too,” warned UNCCD Chief Scientist Barron Orr.
Nichole Barger, Chair of the UNCCD Science-Policy Interface, articulated the critical importance of proactive measures, stating, “Without concerted efforts, billions face a future marked by hunger, displacement, and economic decline.” By adopting innovative solutions and fostering global cooperation, humanity has the potential to address this pressing challenge.
Recent studies reveal alarming trends regarding global land aridification, highlighting a persistent shift towards drier climates primarily driven by human-induced climate change. This phenomenon poses significant threats not only to ecosystems but also to human populations, compelling discussions surrounding sustainable practices and the need for immediate action to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. Understanding this context is crucial for grasping the potential future impacts of climate change on land use and human habitation.
In conclusion, the UNCCD report presents a stark overview of the escalating crisis of arid land expansion, documenting transitions that could profoundly affect billions of lives by 2100. With drylands already comprising a substantial portion of the Earth, immediate and concerted global efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions are vital. The ongoing aridity presents not only an environmental challenge but also an urgent humanitarian issue that necessitates innovative solutions and collaborative action.
Original Source: www.communitynewspapergroup.com
