A UNCCD report highlights that 77.6% of land has become drier since 1990, indicating a permanent shift in climate patterns that threatens agriculture and human livelihoods, particularly in Europe and Africa. With 2.3 billion people living in expanding drylands, action is imperative to mitigate the effects of aridity and ensure sustainable land use practices.
A recent analysis from the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) reveals that a staggering 77.6% of the planet’s land has become drier between 1990 and 2020 compared to the previous three decades. This expansion has resulted in around 4.3 million square kilometers of new drylands—an area larger than India—now covering over 40% of Earth’s land (excluding Antarctica). The UNCCD warns that these trends will worsen unless greenhouse gas emissions are significantly reduced, as detailed in their report titled “The Global Threat of Drying Lands: Regional and Global Aridity Trends and Future Projections,” presented at its 16th conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Many regions transitioning to aridity were once lush, indicating the profound impact of climate change on agriculture, ecosystems, and human livelihoods. Climate-driven aridity is jeopardizing agricultural systems globally, affecting 40% of cultivable land. The UNCCD highlights that European lands, in particular, face a high risk of transitioning to arid conditions, with 95.9% currently at risk. In Africa, the GDP has declined by 12% between 1990 and 2015, partly due to increased aridity, impacting economic and social stability.
UNCCD Executive Secretary Ibrahim Thiaw observed, “This analysis finally dispels an uncertainty that has long surrounded global drying trends,” emphasizing the permanent nature of aridity compared to temporary droughts. Climate change, driven by human activities, remains the primary factor causing these shifts, leading to altered rainfall patterns and affecting flora.
Despite extreme weather events like hurricanes increasing in frequency, the report underscores that aridity is a pervasive issue, with over 2.3 billion people—more than 25% of the world’s population—currently inhabiting expanding drylands. Projections suggest that by 2100, as many as 5 billion individuals may need to navigate challenges associated with infertile soil and dwindling water supplies—issues that could stoke migration trends as evidenced in regions like the Middle East and South Asia.
The UNCCD suggests a multi-faceted approach to combatting aridity, advocating for enhanced monitoring, sustainable land use practices, and improved water efficiency. Nicole Barger, Chair of the UNCCD Science-Policy Interface, affirmed, “Without concerted efforts, billions face a future marked by hunger, displacement, and economic decline.” Hence, fostering global cooperation and innovative solutions will be crucial to address these pressing challenges effectively.
The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) has recently published a significant report outlining the grave consequences of climate change on the global landscape. The growing aridity of vast land areas is attributed largely to human-induced climate change, which alters rainfall patterns and causes severe ecological impacts. This situation poses dire risks to agriculture, economic stability, and human well-being, particularly in regions that were historically humid. The findings underscore an urgent need for effective climate action and sustainable land management strategies.
In summary, the UNCCD’s report paints a concerning picture of the global landscape, with increasing aridification attributed to climate change affecting nearly 80% of the Earth’s land. The detailing of aridity and its documented permanence marks a critical turning point in understanding ongoing environmental challenges. Immediate and collective action is essential to prevent further degradation of land and to safeguard the livelihoods of billions at risk of displacement and poverty. The future depends on global cooperation to devise and implement sustainable solutions.
Original Source: impakter.com
