UN Report Reveals Permanent Dry Land Increases Threat to Global Ecosystems

A recent UN report reveals that over 75% of the Earth’s land has turned permanently drier over the last thirty years, coinciding with COP16 discussions in Saudi Arabia. Approximately 40% of global land is now dry, affecting an estimated five billion people by 2100. The report warns of significant threats including water shortages, food insecurity, and forced migration, urging nations to adopt proactive measures against desertification and enhance monitoring systems.

A recent United Nations (UN) report has revealed that over 75% of the Earth’s land has become significantly drier over the last thirty years. This alarming data emerges in conjunction with the ongoing COP16 conference on desertification taking place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Currently, dry land encompasses approximately 40% of the global land area, excluding Antarctica, and this trend could potentially impact up to five billion individuals by the year 2100.

From 1990 to 2020, regions classified as dry land increased by 4.3 million square kilometers, an area roughly equivalent to one-third of India. The report highlights serious ramifications such as chronic water shortages, which have affected about 40.6% of terrestrial surfaces in contrast to 37.5% three decades earlier. The regions most severely impacted include areas bordering the Mediterranean, southern Africa, southern Australia, and parts of Asia and Latin America.

Ibrahim Thiaw, Executive Secretary of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), asserts that the findings signal an unprecedented aridity crisis. He emphasizes that while droughts refer to temporary low rainfall periods, aridity represents a more enduring transformation. Furthermore, it has been stated that these shifting climates are reshaping the very fabric of life on Earth, largely due to greenhouse gas emissions leading to heightened evaporation and altered precipitation patterns.

Experts, including Jean-Luc Chotte from the French Scientific Committee on Desertification, commend the report’s clarity in documenting the crisis, while advocating for the integration of aridity metrics into drought monitoring systems. The escalating severity of dry land conditions poses grave threats, not only leading to ecosystem degradation and food insecurity but also triggering forced migration. The UNCCD Chief Scientist, Barron Orr, warns that the ongoing fossil fuel consumption exacerbates this dire situation, potentially leading to catastrophic outcomes for water accessibility. A staggering 2.3 billion people currently reside in regions facing increasing dryness, with projections suggesting a dire scenario by 2100.

The topic of global aridity and its implications has gained increasing attention in light of climate change and ongoing environmental degradation. The UN report highlights the urgency of addressing desertification and enhancing resilience among vulnerable communities. As climate change continues to reshape weather patterns, understanding the dynamics of dry regions becomes crucial to developing effective mitigation and adaptation strategies. The conference in Saudi Arabia aims to facilitate international dialogue on combating desertification, with a focus on sustainable land management practices. The statistics presented in the report serve as a foundation for risk assessment and proactive planning to mitigate the effects of aridity and promote ecological restoration.

The UN report underscores the increasing threat of aridity to global ecosystems and human populations, with severe consequences anticipated if actions are not taken. The rise in permanently dry land conditions signals a profound transformation in terrestrial environments, necessitating urgent responses from governments and communities worldwide. Adaptive strategies will be essential in addressing the challenges posed by climate change and ensuring sustainable practices to preserve the integrity of vulnerable regions. Ultimately, international collaboration will be crucial to combat the escalating desertification crisis and its widespread impacts.

Original Source: www.rfi.fr