World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought: Fertile Land for All
June 17th is the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, which aims to combat desertification of ecosystems and recover from droughts. By promoting initiatives against their causes like deforestation and wildfire, this event, among many others, fights to save the planet and its inhabitants from this specific phenomenon. Read on to learn more.
Key Info: World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought
- When is World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought?
Occurs annually on the 17th of June - This Year (2026):
Wednesday, June 17, 2026 - Official Website: United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification
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Future Dates
- Thursday, June 17, 2027
- Saturday, June 17, 2028
- Sunday, June 17, 2029
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Additional Details
- Observed By: UN member states, environmental organizations, communities, and educational institutions
- Where Is It Observed: International
- Primary Theme: Environmental Conservation and Climate Action
- Hashtags: #WDCD #DesertificationAndDrought #UNCCD #ClimateAction #Desertification
Quick links: World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought
Why the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought Matters
Desertification and drought affect billions, particularly in Africa and Asia, where vulnerable economies can suffer drastic consequences. As arable land shrinks, farming becomes harder, leading to food shortages and, in severe cases, famine.
They also contribute to climate change. By reducing green cover and causing soil to lose its carbon-storing capabilities, they increase CO2 levels in the atmosphere.
Furthermore, resource scarcity can incite conflicts, displace people, and destabilize societies. The United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially Goal 15: Life on Land, aim to protect, restore, and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems. Urging immediate action, the UN forecasted droughts will impact over three-quarters of the world’s population by 2050.
Data and Statistics
According to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), we have lost 100 million hectares of productive land from 2015 to 2019, about twice the size of Greenland.
UNCCD data reveals that 1.84 billion people globally endure drought conditions, with a concerning 4.7% experiencing severe or extreme drought.
Drought predominantly affects the less affluent, with 85% of victims residing in low—to middle-income nations. It also has dire consequences for food security, leaving roughly 23 million people in the Horn of Africa severely food-deprived as of December 2022.
How to Help Combat Desertification and Drought
- Plant trees and vegetation to prevent soil erosion, a key component of desertification. Trees and other forms of vegetation are natural barriers against the wind and water that cause soil erosion. If you can't plant trees yourself, consider supporting tree-planting projects or becoming a tree-planting volunteer.
- Shift to sustainable farming practices. Poor practices, like overgrazing, strip the land of its nutrients and ability to retain water. Meanwhile, crop rotation, terracing, and agroforestry can help maintain the health of the soil.
- Use water-efficient appliances, fix leaks, and collect rainwater. Saving water helps reduce the demand for freshwater resources.
- Raise awareness about the causes and effects of desertification and drought. You can give talks, write articles, or share information on social media.
- Support policies and organizations that fight desertification and drought. You can start by voting for politicians who prioritize environmental issues, donating to organizations that combat desertification and drought, or advocating for policies promoting sustainable land and water use.
Brief Timeline of the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought
The United Nations General Assembly established World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought on January 30th through resolution A/RES/49/115.
The first World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought is observed on June 17th to mark the anniversary of the adoption of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification.
Over 100 countries participate in awareness-raising activities.
The UN focuses on the impact of desertification and drought on national security.
The campaign's focus was "Enhancing soils anywhere enhances life everywhere," emphasizing the importance of healthy soil for life and ecosystem balance.
The theme was "Attainment of food security for all through sustainable food systems," linking desertification and drought to food scarcity.
The campaign "Our land. Our home. Our Future" highlights productive land's central role in turning the tide against global economic instability and displacement.
Recent WDCDD Themes
| 2024 | The theme for World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought in 2024 is "United for Land: Our Legacy. Our Purpose." It stresses the importance of fighting against these issues as a shared goal. It urges us to make wise decisions that help us resolve these challenges in the long term. |
| 2023 | The theme was “Her Land. Her Rights: Advancing Gender Equality and Land Restoration Goals,” which stressed gender equality and women’s equal access to land and associated assets. It also aimed to advance women’s land rights. Across the world, women face significant barriers to securing these rights. For instance, women compose about half of the global agricultural workforce, but less than one in five landholders are women. They are also the worst affected by land degradation and water scarcity. |
| 2021 | The theme was "Restoration. Land. Recovery. We build back better with healthy land," focusing on the role of land health in recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic and fighting the climate crisis. |
| 2020 | The theme was "Food. Feed. Fibre. The links between consumption and land," reminding us to change our attitudes toward reducing consumption and waste. |
Conclusion
World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought calls for us to recognize over two billion people facing drought and land degradation. Emphasizing collective accountability, it promotes urgent, sustainable land management practices to protect vulnerable territories.
Resources:
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
This United Nations aims to promote public awareness about desertification and drought and highlights prevention and recovery methods,
It protects ecosystems, preserves biodiversity, and ensures food security for communities worldwide.
Practice sustainable land management, reduce water waste, plant trees, and support initiatives that address desertification and drought.
These are deforestation, overgrazing, climate change, and unsustainable agricultural practices.
These are reforestation projects, water conservation programs, and sustainable agriculture practices.
Mike is a degree-qualified researcher and writer passionate about increasing global awareness about climate change and encouraging people to act collectively in resolving these issues.
Fact Checked By:
Isabela Sedano, BEng.
