WORLD DAY to Combat Desertification will be observed on Wednesday (June 17) under the theme, ‘Conserving Land and Water = Securing our Common Future’. This environmental observance aims to raise awareness on the threats of soil erosion due to desertification, land degradation, and the effects of droughts on humans and the diversity of life.

World Day to Combat Desertification has been observed since 1995 through the implementation of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). Desertification, under UNCCD, is defined as “land degradation in arid, semiarid and dry sub-humid areas which results from various factors, including climatic changes and human activities. Land degradation is defined as the reduction or loss of the biological or economic productivity of drylands.”

Desertification and degradation threatens the livelihood of Man by reducing food and water supply, and economic activities. It occurs on all continents, except Antartica, and affects the livelihoods of millions of people around the world. It is important to note that drylands have been estimated to be 41% of Earth’s land area which a third of human population inhabits.

Desertification is not restricted to drylands since water scarcity in many areas can have implications for the cost and availability of food and other resources in other parts of the world. Human activities all over the world contributed to Climate Change, and hence to the exacerbation of desertification. Hence, to combat desertification, we need to evaluate our current land use management and implement measures to ensure that our lands remain fertile and are able to carry out the other valuable services we rely on it for. Therefore, we should be fully aware of the consequences of our actions, and do all that we can to ensure fertile lands.

This year’s theme is most fitting, and serves to raise awareness and give support to the fact that global efforts must be made to practise sound conservation of both land and water resources. Our collective efforts will result in a better future for the entire world’s population.

Let us work together to secure our future!

Reference:
http://www.unccd.int/publicinfo/june17/2009/menu.php
http://www.greenfacts.org/en/desertification

You can also share your ideas and questions by sending your letters to: ‘Our Environment’, C/o EIT Division. Environmental Protection Agency, 7 Broad and Charles Streets, Charlestown, GEORGETOWN. Or email us at eit.epaguyana@gmail.com with your questions and/or comments.