This World Environment Day, the spotlight shines on a crucial yet often-overlooked environmental challenge: land degradation, desertification, and building resilience in the face of drought. These interconnected issues threaten not just vast swathes of our planet, but the very foundation of human well-being.
Decades of unsustainable practices, from deforestation to overgrazing, have left a significant mark. The UN Convention to Combat Desertification estimates that up to 40% of the Earth's land is degraded, impacting half the world's population and jeopardizing trillions in global GDP. Droughts, which have increased in frequency and intensity since the turn of the century, exacerbate this problem, turning fertile lands arid and jeopardizing food security.
This story is from the June 16, 2024 edition of THE WEEK India.
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This story is from the June 16, 2024 edition of THE WEEK India.
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