As nearly 40 percent of the planet’s land is degraded and more acres are lost every second, urgent action is needed from governments, businesses, and communities to reverse the damage and protect Earth.
This was the strong message from The United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres for the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, observed annually on June 17.
“Every second, around four football fields of healthy land are degraded,” Guterres stated.
Accordi mng to him, the prosperity, and health of billions depend on thriving lands that support lives, livelihoods, and ecosystems.
However, he warned:
“we’re vandalizing the Earth that sustains us.”
United for Land: Our Legacy, Our Future
Desertification, land degradation, and drought are among the most pressing environmental challenges today. This year’s theme, “United for Land. Our Legacy. Our Future,” thumbs forward the importance of land stewardship for ensuring the stability and prosperity of billions around the world. Healthy land is vital, not only providing 95 percent of the food consumed globally but also clothing and sheltering people, creating jobs, and protecting communities from worsening droughts, floods, and wildfires.
Building a Sustainable Future
Growing populations and unsustainable consumption patterns put immense pressure on land, leading to its degradation. Concurrently, desertification and drought drive forced migration, endangering tens of millions of people annually.
With over one billion young people under 25 living in developing countries and directly dependent on land and natural resources, creating job prospects in rural areas is crucial. Eco-entrepreneurship opportunities can help scale up best practices and provide sustainable livelihoods.
Guterres stressed, “We know what we need to do. It’s set out clearly in the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). As we mark the thirtieth anniversary of the Convention, the world must dramatically pick up the pace of implementation.”
Towards a Thriving Future
To achieve these goals, building momentum towards the UNCCD Conference of States Parties (COP16) in Riyadh and ensuring young voices are heard in the negotiations is essential.
By uniting efforts, the international community can protect and restore our planet’s most precious resource, ensuring a stable and prosperous future for all.
