A UNCCD study reveals that over 75% of the Earth’s land has become permanently drier since 1990, affecting vast populations and increasing risks related to water scarcity, food security, and migration. The findings warn of an existential crisis linked to climate change, necessitating urgent global action to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and address the dire impacts of aridity.
A recent study led by the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) has revealed alarming findings regarding global land aridity. Between 1990 and 2020, over three-quarters of the Earth’s landmass transitioned to permanently drier conditions, affecting 77.6% of terrestrial areas. This includes the expansion of drylands by approximately 4.3 million square kilometers, an expanse larger than India. Currently, 40.6% of the world’s land, excluding Antarctica, is categorized as drylands, representing a significant increase from 37.5% just three decades prior.
Despite experiencing certain major weather events like floods, climate change has caused an irreversible transformation of many regions. Experts caution that if intervention measures to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions are not aggressively pursued, an additional 3% of humid areas may degrade into drylands by the turn of the century. Projections anticipate widespread aridity in various regions, including parts of the Mediterranean, southern Africa, and southern Australia.
Ibrahim Thiaw, the executive secretary of the UNCCD, emphasized the urgency of the issue, stating that this analysis clarifies the crisis linked to increasing aridity. Unlike temporary droughts, which can be reversed, the permanent shift towards drier climates represents a significant existential threat to billions globally. The study links human-induced climate change as the main catalyst for these climatic shifts, driven primarily by greenhouse gas emissions from diverse sectors such as energy, transportation, and land use changes.
The report indicates that virtually all of Europe is experiencing dryness and identifies South Sudan and Tanzania as nations with the largest percentage of land transitioning to aridity. Conversely, only 22.4% of Earth’s land exhibited wetter conditions during the same period. The overwhelming challenge posed by aridity not only threatens the environment but compels migration, as affected populations seek habitable regions. Experts have warned of dire socio-political repercussions as communities face growing water scarcity and agricultural failure.
Barron Orr, the Chief Scientist of UNCCD, underscored the need for immediate action to address the dire consequences of fossil fuel combustion and its impact on climate stability. By 2100, it is projected that up to five billion individuals may reside in drylands if current trends persist. Nichole Barger, Chair of the UNCCD Science-Policy Interface, expressed an urgent call for collective action, stating that without innovative responses, billions are poised to face adverse outcomes, including hunger and displacement. Addressing these threats necessitates not only the tools but also the will to implement strategic changes globally.
This alarming study conducted by the UNCCD highlights the growing problem of land aridity attributed to climate change, providing comprehensive statistics over the last three decades. The shift from humid to dryland conditions is not just an environmental concern but poses significant risks to human populations worldwide. The findings underscore the necessity for global awareness and action to prevent further degradation of vital ecosystems and to safeguard food and water security for future generations.
In conclusion, this study presents a pressing call to action regarding the increasing aridity of global landscapes due to climate change. With a significant portion of the Earth’s land now classified as drylands, the potential socioeconomic impacts are profound and far-reaching. Global initiatives aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing conservation efforts are essential to combat the impending crisis that threatens billions of lives and the stability of ecosystems.
Original Source: www.communitynewspapergroup.com
