#unccd

[hicginewsagency]

UN Convention to Combat Desertification - COP 16 Begins in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia with a Strong Voice of Confronting the global crisis of land degradation.

[intlforestday]

Forests for Sustainable Land Restoration- UNCCD COP16 (UNFF16 Side Event).

The requested side event will share experience from Saudi Arabia on these major forestry initiatives for sustainable land restoration, and will help inform the forest restoration debate at UNCCD COP 16. In support of the global debate for land restoration, Saudi Arabia will host the 16th Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP 16) in Riyadh on 2-13 December 2024.

Watch Forests for Sustainable Land Restoration- UNCCD COP16 (UNFF16 Side Event)

[preponias]

Global Drought Snapshot report

[vari-medical-academy]

Happy World Soil Day 🌍. Let us all save soil for a better future.

#WorldSoilDay #SoilHealth #SaveSoil #ConsciousPlanet #UNCCD #climate #nature #sustainable #neetcoachingcentreincoimbatore #varimedicalacademy

[dayofcombattingsandandduststorms]

Launch of the SDS Toolbox of the UNCCD on the International Day of Combating Sand and Dust Storms (SDS).

The frequency of sand and dust storms (SDS) is on the rise in various regions across the globe. This rise is attributed to factors such as human-driven climate change, desertification, land degradation, and persistent droughts. These storms occur when strong winds lift large amounts of sand and dust from dry, arid soils into the atmosphere. They often carry these particles long distances, sometimes hundreds or even thousands of kilometers. The effects of these storms are widespread and often devastating. The World Health Organization estimates that 7 million people die from poor air quality every year, which is at least partly attributed to dust. Sand and dust storms pose numerous threats to human health, disrupt livelihoods, and wreak havoc on the environment. Managing these impacts is a major challenge, as human activity, and desertification in one region can trigger sand and dust storms that cause significant damage in remote regions. Recognizing the urgent need for international cooperation to address SDS, the General Assembly adopted a resolution (A/RES/77/294) on 8 June 2023, designating 12 July as the International Day to Combat Sand and Dust Storms. This day is intended to raise awareness of the link between health and sustainability in the context of SDS. To mark the first observance of the International Day to Combat SDS, several events were organized around the world. The “Commemoration of the International Day of Combating Sand and Dust Storms” event, co-organized by the Permanent Missions of Iraq, the Islamic Republic of Iran, and Senegal at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, featured various speakers from organizations collaborating in the UN SDS Coalition. At the same time, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) hosted a series of regional webinars bringing together stakeholders from different regions. In line with the observation of the day, the UNCCD launched the new SDS Toolbox, a result of its collaboration with SDS Coalition partners. The toolbox provides a comprehensive set of tools, strategies, and guidelines for understanding and mitigating the impact of SDS. Ibrahim Thiaw, Executive Secretary of the UNCCD, extended a warm welcome to this initiative, stating, "We welcome the focus and efforts to raise awareness of this serious phenomenon. It shows how desertification and drought can have far-reaching effects beyond national borders and underlines the crucial role of cooperation in addressing these issues. We anticipate that the newly launched SDS Toolbox will foster much-needed collaboration by providing tools and guidance to our stakeholders." During the commemoration of the International Day to Combat SDS in New York, representatives of the SDS Coalition discussed ways to strengthen cooperation between the Coalition and various national and regional initiatives. They emphasized that regional cooperation is essential to address the transboundary nature of sand and dust storms and their impacts, and that regional action can complement national efforts to achieve sustainable development goals.

See also:

General Assembly Proclaims 12 July International Day of Combating Sand and Dust Storms, Aiming to Raise Awareness about Importance for Health, Sustainability

SDS toolbox

[hermosaman]

Financial and digital inclusion for last mile payments: Trends, sustainable land use and disruptive financial service options

A lot of hard work here by my very dear friend who is more like a brother and son to me, and his associate Stephano Celeda Helping to change the world! Publication year 2023 Resource type UNCCD Publication As the world addresses the necessary realignment in investment strategies to tackle a range of existential issues including climate change, land degradation, polluted oceans and gender…

[rjzimmerman]

Excerpt from this story from Grist:

As Earth grows warmer, its ground is becoming drier and saltier, with profound consequences for the planet’s 8 billion inhabitants — nearly a third of whom already live in places where water is increasingly scarce and the ability to raise crops and livestock is increasingly difficult. 

Climate change is accelerating this trend. New research has found global warming has made 77 percent of the Earth’s land drier over the past three decades while rapidly increasing the proportion of excessively salty soils. 

Drylands, or arid areas where water is hard to come by, now make up more than 40 percent of the planet (excluding Antarctica), a likely permanent consequence of climate change, according to a landmark report by the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, or UNCCD. Another new analysis, by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, or FAO, found that roughly 10 percent of the world’s soils are affected by excess salt, with another 2.5 billion acres at risk.

These interwoven trends threaten agricultural productivity, biodiversity, and ecosystem health while exacerbating food and water insecurity. Together, the two reports sound an urgent alarm: Unless the world curbs emissions, these shifts will continue, with grave implications. 

[notwiselybuttoowell]

The 12-day meeting of parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), known as COP16, has ended in Saudi Arabia’s capital Riyadh without an agreement on responding to drought.

The talks follow a stream of failed talks on climate change issues, including biodiversity talks in Colombia and plastics pollution talks in South Korea, as well as a climate finance deal that disappointed developing countries at COP29 in Azerbaijan.

The biennial talks have attempted to create strong global mandates on climate change, requiring nations to fund early warning systems and build resilient infrastructure in poorer countries, particularly in Africa.

UNCCD Executive Secretary Ibrahim Thiaw said on Saturday that “parties need more time to agree on the best way forward”.

A news release stated that the parties – 196 countries and the European Union – had “made significant progress in laying the groundwork for a future global drought regime, which they intend to complete at COP17 in Mongolia in 2026”.

Droughts “fuelled by human destruction of the environment” cost the world more than $300bn each year, the UN said in a report published on December 3, the second day of the talks in Riyadh.

Droughts are projected to affect 75 percent of the world’s population by 2050, the report said.

A delegate at COP16 from a country in Africa, speaking on condition of anonymity, told the AFP news agency that African countries had hoped the talks would produce a binding protocol on drought.

That would ensure “every government will be held responsible” for devising stronger preparation and response plans, the delegate said.

“It’s the first time I’ve seen Africa so united, with a strong united front, with respect to the drought protocol.”

Two other anonymous COP16 participants told the agency that developed countries did not want a binding protocol and instead were vying for a “framework”, which African countries deemed inadequate.

Indigenous groups were also pushing for a binding protocol, according to Praveena Sridhar, chief technical officer for Save Soil, a global campaign backed by UN agencies.

Meanwhile, host Saudi Arabia, one of the world’s largest oil producers, has been criticised in the past for stalling progress on curbing emissions from fossil fuels at other negotiations.

At the talks on Saturday, Saudi Environment Minister Abdulrahman al-Fadley said the kingdom has launched several initiatives to address desertification, a major issue for the country.

Saudi Arabia is dedicated “to working with all parties to preserve ecosystems, enhance international cooperation to combat desertification and land degradation, and address drought”, he said.

In advance of the Riyadh talks, the UNCCD said 1.5 billion hectares (3.7 billion acres) of land must be restored by the end of the decade and that at least $2.6 trillion in global investments was needed.

[digiitallife]

Desertification is the process where fertile land gradually turns into barren desert. The definition for desertification, as outlined by the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), is the process of land degradation occurring in arid, semi-arid, and dry sub-humid regions, driven by a combination of climate fluctuations and human activities. A common misconception is that desertification is good for the environment, but in reality, it harms ecosystems and biodiversity. One critical question is, “how is desertification related to soil erosion?” The answer lies in vegetation loss. When plant cover disappears due to overgrazing, deforestation, or agriculture, the exposed soil becomes vulnerable to wind and water erosion. This process depletes nutrients, leaving land unsuitable for farming. Studies also show that desertification is primarily caused by unsustainable land use, such as intensive farming, overexploitation of groundwater, and poor irrigation practices. A specific example comes from Africa’s Sahel region, where droughts and overgrazing lead to desertification. Similarly, in Asia’s Gobi Desert, human activities like deforestation exacerbate the problem. In contrast, New Zealand has experienced minimal desertification, but risks remain with urbanization and deforestation. An interesting discussion revolves around how to pronounce desertification, as its etymology reflects the transformation into “desert-like” conditions. Understanding how farming is leading to desertification is vital. Practices such as monocropping and over-tilling degrade soil structure and lead to erosion. Addressing these practices through sustainable agriculture is essential. Efforts like reforestation and improved land management offer pathways to mitigate this issue and restore ecosystems. While desertification is typically caused by human actions, climate change intensifies the effects, emphasizing the need for global awareness and action through agreements like the desertification treaty.   Impact of Desertification and Soil Erosion Understanding how desertification is related to soil erosion requires examining the interaction between human activities and natural processes. As vegetation disappears, soil becomes exposed to erosion from wind and rain, leading to land degradation. These processes are interconnected, making it critical to address the root causes of desertification and soil erosion simultaneously. One way to measure the extent of this issue is through tools like the desertification map, which illustrates regions most at risk. Where does desertification occur most? Primarily in arid and semi-arid areas like Africa's Sahel, southern Asia, and parts of South America. These regions suffer from the negative impacts of desertification, including food insecurity and economic instability. For example, desertification impact on biodiversity is severe. As ecosystems degrade, species lose their habitats, leading to reduced biodiversity. Moreover, the phenomenon raises questions such as, “are deserts growing or shrinking?” The answer depends on regional factors, but overall, desert areas are expanding due to unsustainable practices and climate change. One key concern is how urbanization leads to desertification. As cities expand, natural vegetation is replaced with infrastructure, disrupting the soil's water cycle and contributing to degradation. Addressing this involves rethinking urban planning to minimize ecological damage. Efforts to mitigate these effects include implementing desertification resilience measures, such as planting drought-resistant vegetation and improving irrigation methods. Ultimately, combating desertification requires international collaboration. The desertification treaty, signed by many nations, underscores the importance of unified action to restore degraded lands and prevent further ecological collapse. Desertification and Its Global Effects The global ramifications of desertification are far-reaching, impacting the environment, economies, and societies. One of the most visible outcomes is its connection to poverty and food insecurity. With nearly 44% of agricultural land located in drylands, the loss of fertile soil directly threatens global food supplies. This underscores why overgrazing leads to desertification, as excessive grazing removes vegetation, leaving soil vulnerable to erosion and degradation. Moreover, what causes desertification in the Sahel is a combination of climate change, overgrazing, and unsustainable agricultural practices. The Sahel, a semi-arid region in Africa, has become a global example of the devastating effects of land degradation. Increased temperatures and erratic rainfall patterns worsen the situation, leaving communities to grapple with reduced crop yields and conflict over dwindling resources. The question arises: is desertification caused by humans? While natural factors like drought and climatic shifts play a role, human activities such as deforestation, over-farming, and poor water management are significant drivers. For instance, in Mongolia, 90% of the land is fragile dryland, where desertification and climate change combine to create severe challenges for herders and farmers. The desertification report by the UNCCD highlights the urgent need for action. One proposal is to reduce the risk of desertification by promoting sustainable land management and afforestation. These efforts aim to restore degraded areas and build desertification resilience, particularly in vulnerable regions. While some argue the concept of desertification pros and cons, the negative impacts clearly outweigh any perceived benefits. Desertification leads to biodiversity loss, displacement of populations, and economic instability, emphasizing its threat to sustainable development. Collaborative efforts like the desertification treaty are essential to mitigate these effects and restore balance to affected ecosystems. How Farming and Urbanization Contribute to Desertification Understanding how farming is leading to desertification is critical to tackling land degradation. Unsustainable agricultural practices, such as monocropping, excessive tillage, and poor irrigation, deplete soil nutrients and accelerate erosion. Farmers often adopt intensive methods to maximize yields, but this inadvertently exacerbates the problem. As soil fertility declines, farmlands transform into barren landscapes, illustrating how human activities drive desertification. Another pressing question is, “how does urbanization lead to desertification?” Natural ecosystems are frequently harmed by rapid urban growth. Forests and vegetation are cleared to make way for infrastructure, disrupting the soil’s water cycle and increasing its vulnerability to erosion. This contributes to the expansion of desert-like conditions, particularly in developing countries where urban planning may not prioritize environmental sustainability. An example of this is seen in desertification in New Zealand, where urban expansion and deforestation have raised concerns about soil degradation. Although not as severe as in regions like the Sahel or Gobi Desert, New Zealand faces risks that call for proactive measures. Addressing these issues requires understanding how to monitor for desertification and implementing strategies to prevent further damage. Techniques like satellite imagery, soil quality assessments, and vegetation cover monitoring help track land degradation over time. Moreover, solutions such as agroforestry and conservation agriculture can help reduce the impact of farming on land health. When considering how to describe desertification, it is essential to emphasize its multifaceted nature. The phenomenon includes ecological, social, and economic dimensions, making it a complex global challenge. While some may ask, “is desertification a cause of deforestation?” the reality is that deforestation and desertification are interconnected, each exacerbating the other. Ultimately, sustainable practices in farming and urban planning are critical to prevent desertification and protect ecosystems for future generations. The Causes and Consequences of Desertification   Desertification is a critical environmental issue that disrupts ecosystems and livelihoods. According to the definition for desertification, it is the process by which fertile land becomes desert due to natural factors and human activities. This transformation is primarily driven by overgrazing, unsustainable farming, deforestation, and climate change. These activities explain why desertification is primarily caused by the loss of vegetation and poor soil management. A common question is, “how is desertification related to soil erosion?” The two are strongly linked, as the loss of vegetation leaves soil vulnerable to wind and water erosion, accelerating land degradation. In the Sahel region, what causes desertification in the Sahel includes drought and overexploitation of land resources, creating a cycle of poverty and land degradation. The desertification treaty, also known as the UNCCD, aims to combat this crisis by promoting sustainable land practices globally. Despite these efforts, questions persist, such as “is desertification good for the environment?” While it may seem beneficial for creating deserts, the overall desertification negative impacts outweigh any advantages. Loss of biodiversity, soil fertility, and livelihoods are just some of the consequences. In regions where desertification is most significant in what kind of areas, such as drylands and semi-arid regions, the effects are most severe. For example, in Africa, these areas experience food insecurity and forced migrations. To mitigate these challenges, understanding how to reduce the risk of desertification through afforestation, water management, and soil conservation is essential. Combating desertification requires global cooperation. By monitoring degraded lands and implementing sustainable practices, the situation can improve. With continued efforts, the cycle of land degradation can be broken, benefiting people and ecosystems alike. The Role of Human Activities in Desertification   A significant factor in the spread of desertification is human activity. This includes overgrazing, intensive agriculture, and deforestation. Studies confirm desertification is caused by humans as much as by natural factors like drought. One prominent example is how farming is leading to desertification: excessive tillage and poor irrigation deplete soil nutrients and disrupt ecosystems. Urbanization is another contributor, as highlighted in how does urbanization lead to desertification. Expanding cities often encroach on fertile lands, removing vegetation and increasing soil erosion. The issue is particularly concerning in developing countries where infrastructure planning may not account for environmental impacts. Understanding desertification pros and cons also sheds light on its impacts. While some argue that it creates desert ecosystems, the negative consequences, such as biodiversity loss and reduced agricultural productivity, dominate. This is why efforts to monitor for desertification are essential. Satellite data, soil health monitoring, and local assessments help track changes and guide interventions. The desertification report from the UNCCD reveals that degraded lands impact over 2 billion people worldwide. Questions like “how to pronounce desertification” may seem trivial, but raising awareness is key to global action. The crisis has also sparked debates about is desertification a cause of deforestation, as the two processes often occur together in vulnerable regions. Despite its challenges, how can desertification be fixed? Solutions include afforestation, sustainable agriculture, and global cooperation. These measures not only restore land but also build desertification resilience, helping communities adapt to future risks. While desertification is a complex issue, human actions play a major role. Through better practices and policies, the tide can turn, ensuring sustainable use of land resources for generations to come. Impact of Desertification on Biodiversity and Climate   The effects of desertification extend beyond soil degradation, severely impacting biodiversity and climate systems. The process destroys habitats, leading to species extinction and loss of ecological balance. This illustrates the significant desertification impact on biodiversity, as ecosystems in drylands are particularly vulnerable. The question arises: is desertification and drought same? While both involve arid conditions, they differ in nature. Desertification refers to land degradation, while drought is a temporary reduction in rainfall. However, they are interlinked, as prolonged drought can accelerate land degradation. An often-overlooked aspect is what does desertification mean in history. Historical records show civilizations collapsing due to land degradation, highlighting the long-term consequences of failing to address the problem. The desertification map shows regions like Africa, Australia, and parts of Asia as most affected, underlining the need for global attention. Desertification and climate change are deeply intertwined. Rising temperatures exacerbate soil degradation, while degraded lands contribute to carbon emissions, creating a feedback loop. Addressing climate change can therefore help mitigate land degradation. To counter these impacts, understanding how to describe desertification is crucial for awareness and action. Education and advocacy can promote solutions like agroforestry, reforestation, and sustainable land management. Preventing Desertification and Building Resilience   Preventing desertification requires a combination of local and global efforts. Key strategies include afforestation, soil conservation, and sustainable farming practices. Understanding how to prevent desertification begins with identifying vulnerable areas and implementing targeted interventions. Building desertification resilience is essential for communities at risk. This involves improving water management, restoring degraded lands, and promoting education about sustainable practices. The Sahel region serves as a case study of what causes desertification in the Sahel, where efforts like the Great Green Wall project aim to reverse land degradation. Why overgrazing leads to desertification is a critical issue to address. Livestock grazing beyond the land’s capacity removes vegetation and exposes soil to erosion. Balancing livestock numbers with available resources can help mitigate this problem. The debate over desertification pros and cons often overlooks its devastating consequences. While desert ecosystems may provide unique opportunities, the overall impact includes poverty, displacement, and reduced agricultural productivity. Questions like are deserts growing or shrinking highlight the need for accurate monitoring to guide action. Efforts to reduce the risk of desertification are supported by international agreements like the desertification treaty, which promotes sustainable land management worldwide. Education plays a crucial role, from understanding how to pronounce desertification to learning its broader implications. In conclusion, desertification is a challenge that requires immediate and sustained action. By adopting sustainable practices, investing in restoration, and fostering global cooperation, the tide can turn, ensuring a better future for affected communities and ecosystems. Read the full article

[tieflingkisser]

Report: Climate Crisis Is Causing 3 Quarters of the World’s Land to Dry Out

As Earth grows warmer, its ground is becoming drier and saltier, with profound consequences for the planet’s 8 billion inhabitants — nearly a third of whom already live in places where water is increasingly scarce and the ability to raise crops and livestock is increasingly difficult. Climate change is accelerating this trend. New research has found global warming has made 77 percent of the Earth’s land drier over the past three decades while rapidly increasing the proportion of excessively salty soils. Drylands, or arid areas where water is hard to come by, now make up more than 40 percent of the planet (excluding Antarctica), a likely permanent consequence of climate change, according to a landmark report by the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, or UNCCD. Another new analysis, by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, or FAO, found that roughly 10 percent of the world’s soils are affected by excess salt, with another 2.5 billion acres at risk.

[...]

These changes are not limited to regions already considered dry, or expected to experience desertification. When modeling global high-emissions scenarios, the researchers found similar changes could occur in the Midwest, central Mexico, and the Mediterranean, to name three examples. The researchers have no expectation that this trend will reverse. What Hannah Waterhouse, a soil and water scientist at the University of California, Santa Cruz, finds “important, and unnerving to emphasize” is that this expansion occurred under conditions that aren’t nearly as hot as what’s to come. That suggests the problem will only escalate and, as food and water grow more scarce, usher in issues like widespread conflict, she said.

[...]

Aridity is not to be confused with drought. Drought is best described as a sudden and startling, but temporary, water shortage often caused by low precipitation, high temperatures, little humidity, and unusual wind patterns. Arid regions, on the other hand, experience persistent, long-term climatic conditions in which evaporation exceeds rainfall, creating conditions in which it can be difficult to sustain life. It is much more subtle than a drought, but no less significant.

[tvbrasilnoticias]

Seca ameaça três quartos da população mundial até 2050, alerta ONU

Um relatório divulgado durante a 16ª Conferência das Partes da Convenção das Nações Unidas para o Combate à Desertificação (UNCCD), realizada na Arábia Saudita, apresenta projeções alarmantes: até 2050, três em cada quatro pessoas no mundo estarão expostas aos impactos devastadores da seca. O documento, intitulado Atlas Mundial da Seca, detalha como esse fenômeno silencioso, frequentemente…

[ujcdecuba]

Tres cuartas partes del planeta se están secando

Más de tres cuartas partes de la Tierra se han vuelto más secas en las últimas décadas, según un informe histórico de la Convención de las Naciones Unidas de Lucha contra la Desertificación (CNULD). La UNCCD afirma que el 77,6% de la superficie terrestre experimentó condiciones más secas durante los últimos 30 años, en comparación con el mismo período anterior. Al mismo tiempo, las tierras secas…

[intlforestday]

Identify, develop and implement targeted joint activities on sustainable land management and sustainable forest management, including through the development of transformative projects to achieve land degradation neutrality and sustainable forest management and through greater information exchange.

The UN Forum on Forests Secretariat, DESA and the UN Convention to Combat Desertification entered into a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today, on the margins of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly. The MoU was signed by Ms. Juliette Biao, Director of the UNFF Secretariat, and Mr. Ibrahim Thiaw, Executive Secretary of the UNCCD. The key objectives of the MoU are to identify, develop and implement targeted joint activities on sustainable land management and sustainable forest management, including through the development of transformative projects to achieve land degradation neutrality and sustainable forest management and through greater information exchange.

Through this MoU, the two Secretariats aim to strengthen cooperation in the mobilization of financial resources for sustainable land and forest management and build strategic partnerships for implementation. This will include working together to raise awareness on the links between forests and sustainable land management, their contributions to climate change adaptation and mitigation and biodiversity conservation and on enhancing synergies between the Rio conventions and the UN Forum on Forests. The duration of the current MoU is for three years.

The UN Forum on Forests Secretariat and UN Convention to Combat Desertification Secretariat have a long history of working together as partners in the Collaborative Partnership on Forests (CPF), and the current MoU will serve to strengthen this existing collaboration in areas of mutual interest. Activities undertaken in implementing the MoU will support the achievement Sustainable Development Goals including SDG 15, the Global Forest Goals of the UN Strategic Plan for Forests 2030, Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) targets, targets of the Kunming-Montreal global biodiversity framework and Paris Agreement of the UNFCCC amongst others.

[europahoynews]

Trazando un camino para la acción global sobre la tierra y la sequía

Los casi 200 países se reunieron en la 16ª Conferencia de las Partes (COP16) de la Convención de las Naciones Unidas de Lucha contra la Desertificación (UNCCD) y se comprometieron a priorizar la restauración de tierras y la resiliencia a la sequía en las políticas nacionales y la cooperación internacional como estrategia esencial para la seguridad alimentaria y la adaptación al clima. . Si bien…

[dayofcombattingsandandduststorms]

Drought risk management and mitigation strategy 2022-2032.

The incidence and intensity of droughts is expected to increase in Southern Africa over the coming years. In order to mitigate these trends, the region has developed the SADC…