Every second, around four football fields of healthy land are degraded,” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres. “The security, prosperity, and health of billions of people rely on thriving lands supporting lives, livelihoods, and ecosystems, but we’re vandalizing the Earth that sustains us.” Desertification, land degradation, and drought are currently among the most pressing environmental challenges.
United for Land
The Day’s theme is United for Land. Our Legacy. Our Future, spotlighting the future of land stewardship, which is the planet’s most precious resource to ensure the stability and prosperity of billions of people around the world. Healthy land not only provides us with almost 95 per cent of food eaten around the world but so much more. It clothes and shelters people, provides jobs and livelihoods, and protects communities from the worsening droughts, floods, and wildfires.
“As the focus of this year’s World Day reminds us, we must be ‘United for Land’,” he said. “Governments, businesses, academics, communities, and more must come together and act.”
‘We know what we need to do’
Growing populations coupled with unsustainable production and consumption patterns fuel demand for natural resources, putting excessive pressure on land to the point of degradation. At the same time, desertification and drought are driving forced migration, putting tens of millions of people each year at risk of displacement. Of the world’s eight billion inhabitants, over one billion of young people under the age of 25 years live in developing countries, particularly in regions directly dependent on land and natural resources for sustenance. Creating job prospects for rural populations is a viable solution that gives young people access to eco-entrepreneurship opportunities and at the same time to scale up best practices.
“We know what we need to do,” the UN chief said. “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.” To do this, he pointed to building momentum towards UNCCD Conference of States Parties (COP16) in Riyadh and ensuring young people are heard in the negotiations.
“Together, let’s sow the seeds for a thriving future for nature and humanity,” he said.
Fast facts
– Every second, an equivalent of four football fields of healthy land becomes degraded, adding up to a total of 100 million hectares each year
– Each dollar invested in land restoration can yield up to $30 in return
– In many countries affected by desertification, land degradation, and drought, the majority of the population depends on agriculture for their livelihoods
– Over 250 million people are directly affected by desertification, and about 1 billion people in over 100 countries are at risk
– Land degradation is estimated to cost the global economy up to 15 trillion dollars annually
– Restoring 350 million hectares of degraded land by 2030 could generate up to 9 trillion dollars in ecosystem services and sequester up to 26 gigatons of greenhouse gases
In conclusion, the degradation of land is a critical issue that affects not only the environment but also the livelihoods and well-being of billions of people around the world. It is imperative that governments, businesses, communities, and individuals come together to take action to protect and restore our lands for the benefit of current and future generations. By implementing the goals set out in the UN Convention to Combat Desertification and working towards sustainable land management practices, we can ensure a thriving future for nature and humanity. Let us all be united for land and strive to leave a legacy of healthy, productive, and sustainable landscapes for the future.
