History:

Acknowledging that desertification and drought are problems of a global dimension in that they affect all regions of the world and that joint action by the international community is needed to combat desertification and drought, particularly in Africa, the General Assembly declared 17 June to be "World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought" by its resolution A/RES/49/115 adopted in December 1994

 

Why June 17?

It is the date on which the General Assembly adopted the Convention to Combat Desertification, the sole legally binding international agreement linking environment and development to sustainable land management. It addresses specifically the arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid areas, known as the drylands, where some of the most vulnerable ecosystems and peoples can be found

 

Purpose:

The World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought is a United Nations observance each June 17. Its purpose is to raise awareness of the presence of desertification and drought, highlighting methods of preventing desertification and recovering from drought. Each year's global celebration has a unique, novel emphasis that had not been developed previously.

The day is a unique moment to remind everyone that land degradation neutrality is achievable through problem-solving, strong community involvement and cooperation at all levels.

 

2018 Theme: "Land has true value – invest in it"

Every one of us has a role to play, know the true value of land and invest in it:

-Spending money on organic and fairly trade products to avoid land degradation.

-Making a pledge to protect and conserve the value of land.

-Observing World Day to Combat Desertification, supporting a sustainable way of living, producing and consuming.

 

 

Desertification:

Desertification occurs when:

-the tree and plant cover that binds the soil is removed. It occurs when trees and bushes are stripped away for fuelwood and timber, or to clear land for cultivation.

-animals eat away grasses and erode topsoil with their hooves.

-intensive farming depletes the nutrients in the soil.

 

Wind and water erosion aggravate the damage, carrying away topsoil and leaving behind a highly infertile mix of dust and sand. It is the combination of these factors that transforms degraded land into desert.

 

Impact of Desertification:

Desertification is a global issue, with serious implications worldwide for biodiversity, eco-safety, poverty eradication, socio-economic stability and sustainable development.

 

Drylands are already fragile. As they become degraded, the impact on people, livestock and environment can be devastating. Some 50 million people may be displaced within the next 10 years as a result of desertification.

 

The issue of desertification is not new though — it played a significant role in human history, contributing to the collapse of several large empires, and the displacement of local populations. But today, the pace of arable land degradation is estimated at 30 to 35 times the historical rate.

 

What can be done?

-Reforestation and tree regeneration

-Water management — saving, reuse of treated water, rainwater harvesting, desalination, or direct use of seawater for salt-loving plants

-Fixating the soil through the use of sand fences, shelter belts, woodlots and windbreaks

-Enrichment and hyper-fertilizing of soil through planting

-Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR), enabling native sprouting tree growth through selective pruning of shrub shoots. The residue from pruned trees can be used to provide mulching for fields thus increasing soil water retention and reducing evaporation.

 

 

Desertification and the Sustainable Development Goals:

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development declares that "we are determined to protect the planet from degradation, including through sustainable consumption and production, sustainably managing its natural resources and taking urgent action on climate change, so that it can support the needs of the present and future generations". Specifically, SDG Goal 15: Life on Land states the resolve of the United Nations and the SDG signatory nations to halt and reverse land degradation

 

 

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