Climate change is causing the world’s land to dry out, with nearly a third of its inhabitants living in areas where water is scarce. The Earth’s ground has become drier and saltier, threatening agriculture productivity, biodiversity, and ecosystem health. Deserts now cover over 40% of the planet, with an additional 2.5 billion acres at risk due to excessive salt.
The consequences are alarming: food insecurity, displacement, and economic decline. Without action, billions will face a future marked by hunger, migration, and poverty. Climate change is already affecting global food production, leaving one in 11 people hungry last year.
Researchers warn that the expansion of drylands could double in size by the end of the century, covering more than two-thirds of land worldwide. This trend won’t reverse; instead, it will worsen as temperatures rise.
The world’s salt-affected soils account for 70% of global production, costing over $27 billion annually. The crisis demands urgent action from governments to invest in resilience efforts and adapt to the changes. Local solutions like agroecology, improved crop management, and technological innovations are crucial. However, top-down technocratic solutions have failed, and investment in real-world initiatives is essential.
The clock is ticking; the UN has called for at least $2.6 trillion by 2030 to tackle land degradation and desertification. The lack of progress so far is concerning, with only $12 billion pledged across 80 vulnerable countries.
Source: https://grist.org/international/three-quarters-of-the-worlds-land-is-drying-out-redefining-life-on-earth