World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought 2022

The World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought is observed on 17 June each year to promote public awareness of international efforts to combat desertification. 

Droughts are among the greatest threats to sustainable development, especially in developing countries, but increasingly so in developed nations too. In fact, forecasts estimate that by 2050 droughts may affect over three-quarters of the world’s population

Desertification is the process of land degradation in which arid, semi-arid and dry semi-moist areas turn into deserts due to climate change and many other factors including human activities. Therefore, there is a decrease and decline in the production capacity of the land.

Desertification and Drought Day 2022: Host Country

The global observance of the event will take place in Madrid, Spain, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) has announced.

 THEME

Every year, this day is observed under a special theme. This year’s theme is ‘Rising up from drought together.’ While announcing the theme of 2022 Desertification and Drought Day, United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), Executive Secretary, Ibrahim Thiaw said, “Droughts have been part of human and natural systems, but what we are experiencing now is much worse, largely due to human activity. Recent droughts point to a precarious future for the world. Food and water shortages, as well as wildfires caused by the severe drought, have all intensified in recent years.”

EXPECTATION ABOUT DESERTIFICATION: 

The United Nations estimates that by 2025, two-thirds of the world’s people will be forced to live in water-scarce conditions. They will also face days when there will be a huge gap between the demand and supply of water. In such a situation, displacement is likely to increase due to desertification; by 2045, more than 130 million people may have to leave their homes. India lost 31% of grasslands between 2005 and 2015. Deforestation increases the effect of greenhouse gases. At the same time, the earth plunders its clothes, and ‘cut and burn’ agricultural practices increasing the risk of soil erosion. World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought is celebrated every year on June 17 to make people aware of this.

SIGNIFICANCE

The day is extremely crucial as it is estimated that 1.8 billion people will be living in countries or regions with absolute water scarcity by 2025, as per the United Nations. In addition to this, about 2/3 of the earth will be living under water-stressed conditions. By 2045, desertification may displace about 135 million people. The overgrowing and never-ending demand for food, raw materials, highways, and homes has resulted in the melting of three-quarters of Earth’s ice-free land.

Desertification and Drought Day: History

The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed June 17 as the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought through its resolution A/RES/49/115 which was adopted in December 1994.