A 2024 UN report has revealed a troubling trend Earth is becoming increasingly dry as global temperatures rise. Over the past three decades, more than three-fourths of the world’s land has become drier compared to the previous 30 years. Today drylands cover 40.6% of the planet’s landmass, excluding Antarctica. As these regions expand number of people living in drylands has doubled to 2.3 billion making up over a quarter of the global population. If climate change continues at its current pace this number could soar to 5 billion by 2100.
Drylands Expanding Across Continents
The drying trend is being observed worldwide, from the western United States to Brazil, Europe, Asia, and central Africa. Scientists warn that without significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, an additional 3% of the planet’s humid regions will turn into drylands by the end of the century. The U.S. Midwest, central Mexico, parts of South America, the Mediterranean, the Black Sea Coast, and large parts of Africa and Australia are expected to face worsening aridity. Notably, no region on Earth is forecasted to transition from drylands back to a more humid climate.
Desertification vs. Drought: A Permanent Threat
Desertification occurs when land becomes permanently barren due to climate change and poor land management. Unlike droughts, which are temporary, desertification is irreversible without intervention. Scientists estimate that 25-35% of the world’s drylands are already undergoing desertification, a process that devastates ecosystems and livelihoods. The African Sahel, which suffered severe droughts in the 1960s and 1970s, initially appeared to be turning into a desert. However, when rainfall returned, some grasslands revived, highlighting the distinction between temporary drought and long-term land degradation.
Causes and Consequences of Desertification
Climate change is intensifying desertification by increasing droughts, which have surged by 29% since 2000. Poor land management, deforestation, overgrazing, and unsustainable agriculture also play a significant role. Every year, 24 billion tons of fertile soil are lost to erosion. Misuse of water resources, such as over-irrigation, has contributed to environmental disasters like the near-disappearance of Central Asia’s Aral Sea, which has turned into a vast desert.
The effects of desertification are devastating. Agricultural productivity drops, leading to food shortages and economic decline. If current trends continue, global crop yields could decrease by 50% by 2050. Water scarcity will worsen as aquifers dry up. Dust storms, already deadly in parts of Africa and Asia, will increase, posing severe health risks.
Migration pressures will intensify as people flee uninhabitable lands, potentially triggering geopolitical conflicts over resources. The loss of vegetation will further accelerate climate change by reducing the planet’s ability to absorb carbon dioxide.
Reversing Desertification: Lessons from Global Initiatives
While desertification is difficult to reverse successful efforts have shown that restoration is possible. China’s Loess Plateau, once a barren wasteland, has been rejuvenated through government policies promoting tree planting, terracing, and sustainable farming. Africa’s Great Green Wall, an ambitious project aiming to restore 100 million hectares of land, has faced challenges but has restored 30 million hectares so far.
Key strategies for combating desertification include:
- Nature-based solutions: Planting native trees and vegetation can stabilize soil and retain moisture.
- Water management: Techniques like rainwater harvesting and drip irrigation conserve water resources.
- Sustainable farming: Regenerative agriculture, crop rotation, and agroforestry improve soil health.
- Community involvement: Local knowledge and participation are crucial for successful restoration efforts.
A Global Call to Action
The UN Convention to Combat Desertification warns that land degradation and drought cost the world $878 billion annually. Efforts to combat desertification require coordinated global action, including policy changes, funding for sustainable land management, and technological innovations in monitoring aridity.
Scientists and policymakers emphasize that preventing further land degradation is more cost-effective than attempting to restore damaged ecosystems. As climate change accelerates, addressing desertification must be a priority to protect food security, biodiversity, and human livelihoods worldwide.