Latest editorial
Much of Earth's lands are drying out, says new UN report
[Stefan Kuhn]
MUCH of Earth’s landmass is drying out, damaging the ability of plant and animal life to survive, according to a United Nations report published today.
It was released at the UN summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on combating desertification — once-fertile lands turning into deserts because of hotter temperatures from human-caused climate change, lack of water and deforestation.
It found that more than three-quarters of the world's land experienced drier conditions from 1970 to 2020 than in the previous 30-year period.
Similar stories
Addressing new climate challenges will require co-ordinated efforts by governments and local authorities for both drought and flood risks — and it’s people power that will be key to getting policy implemented, writes DOUG SPECHT
Chinese socialist planning and action over decades have created the world’s greatest reforestation programme, writes CARLOS MARTINEZ, and now its lessons in fighting desertification and climate change are taking root worldwide
IAN SINCLAIR highlights a recent book chapter by climate scientist Professor Stefan Rahmstorf, who warns ‘a world full of horrors’ can expected if climate catastrophe is not averted