The day was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 1995. It raises awareness of the presence of desertification and drought, highlighting methods of preventing desertification and recovering from drought. Each year’s celebration has a unique emphasis. It draws attention to the necessity to sustainably manage natural resources, and we can reverse land degradation through cooperation at all levels.
Why is it so important?
Desertification is mainly caused by human-induced over-cropping, over-grazing, improper irrigation practices, deforestation, and poor management practices. Human activities have made some of the planet's land no longer productive, and the loss of more and more productive land creates problems – they threaten the world’s poorest populations and the prospects of poverty reduction. Besides, desertification is intimately linked with climate change and biodiversity loss, creating irreversible damage to the planet and affecting our food and our daily lives. World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought reminds us the consequences of desertification and drought, and that solutions are still possible if we can all work together.
What should we do?
No doubt that desertification and drought are the main problems seen globally and affect all regions of the world. Sustainable land management practices are something we should uphold. We should also offer our help to people in those areas which are experiencing serious drought or desertification and consider actions to tackle issues related to poverty reduction, food, water security, climate change, mitigation and adaptation.
