One fifth of the world's population under threat from desertification - impact felt beyond the borders of directly affected countries
The devastating consequences of desertification can be seen and felt all over the world. About 3.6 billion of the world's 5.2 billion hectares of dryland used for agriculture have suffered erosion and soil degradation. Topsoil is painfully slow to form, but can be destroyed terrifyingly fast. An estimated 24 billion tons are blown or washed away each year, meaning it is being lost at least 16 times faster than it can be replaced. As topsoil is destroyed, livelihoods are lost. A fifth of the world's population is under threat.
Desertification can also have a serious impact far beyond the borders of directly affected countries. Sandstorms triggered in China affect not only the Korean peninsula and Japan, but are blowing dust particles across the Pacific, contributing to health problems. Forced migration and potential for inter-state conflict add to the urgency of the problem.
The World Day to Combat Desertification, in this International Year of Deserts and Desertification, is a double reminder of the scope and seriousness of the challenge. (Read more.)
http://www.unccd.int/publicinfo/pressrel/showpressrel.php?pr=press14_06_06
International Year of Deserts and Desertification website http://www.iydd.org
United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification http://www.unccd.int
International Desertification Day, 17 June 2006 - Message by Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon
http://www.thecommonwealth.org/Templates/System/LatestNews.asp?NodeID=151449
The devastating consequences of desertification can be seen and felt all over the world. About 3.6 billion of the world's 5.2 billion hectares of dryland used for agriculture have suffered erosion and soil degradation. Topsoil is painfully slow to form, but can be destroyed terrifyingly fast. An estimated 24 billion tons are blown or washed away each year, meaning it is being lost at least 16 times faster than it can be replaced. As topsoil is destroyed, livelihoods are lost. A fifth of the world's population is under threat.
Desertification can also have a serious impact far beyond the borders of directly affected countries. Sandstorms triggered in China affect not only the Korean peninsula and Japan, but are blowing dust particles across the Pacific, contributing to health problems. Forced migration and potential for inter-state conflict add to the urgency of the problem.
The World Day to Combat Desertification, in this International Year of Deserts and Desertification, is a double reminder of the scope and seriousness of the challenge. (Read more.)
http://www.unccd.int/publicinfo/pressrel/showpressrel.php?pr=press14_06_06
International Year of Deserts and Desertification website http://www.iydd.org
United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification http://www.unccd.int
International Desertification Day, 17 June 2006 - Message by Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon
http://www.thecommonwealth.org/Templates/System/LatestNews.asp?NodeID=151449