World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought “United For Land. Our Legacy. Our Future”

World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought is observed annually on 17 June to promote public awareness of international efforts to combat desertification. The Day offers a chance to recognize that land degradation neutrality (LDN) is achievable through problem solving, strong community involvement, and cooperation at all levels.

Why Do We Mark World Day to Combat Desertification & Drought?   

Desertification and drought are global problems. In recent decades, desertification has been greatly facilitated by human activities such as over-cropping, overgrazing, improper irrigation, deforestation, and poor land management. These activities have made some of the earth’s surface or land no longer productive. The loss of more and more productive land causes serious problems; resulting in biodiversity loss, creating irreversible damage to land, and affecting our food and our daily lives. World Day to Combat Desertification & Drought is a unique moment to remind everyone that land degradation and desertification should be avoided and recovered through problem-solving, strong community involvement, and cooperation at all levels.

Life on Land is on the Line

The future of our land is at stake. Desertification, land degradation, and drought are among the most pressing environmental challenges of our time, with up to 40% of all land area worldwide already considered degraded. Healthy land not only provides us with almost 95% of our food but so much more: it clothes and shelters us, provides jobs and livelihoods, and protects us from the worsening droughts, floods and wildfires. At the same time, growing populations coupled with unsustainable production and consumption patterns fuel demand for natural resources. By 2050, 10 billion people will share our one planet – depending on healthy land for their livelihoods. Yet, every second, an equivalent of four football fields of healthy land becomes degraded, adding up to a total of 100 million hectares each year. Beyond that, desertification and drought are drivers of forced migration. Each year, tens of millions of people are at risk of displacement due to these environmental challenges. We need to avert land degradation as a root cause of conflict and instability.

Leading a Land Legacy

Leading a Land Legacy Caring for land is an intergenerational responsibility. For millennia, our ancestors had a deep connection to the land. However, this connection is fragile, with more and more people heading to cities and no longer choosing to live and work on land. We need to create employment opportunities for young people, especially in rural areas. Indigenous peoples and local communities, which account for approximately half a billion people in the world, are often disproportionately affected by land degradation. They also face barriers in the recognition of their land rights, or equal participation in decision making. Often economically disadvantaged, they are amongst the richest when accounting for their natural capital. They play a key role in environmental protection, namely long-term sustainable land restoration. Areas managed by local communities are characterized by lower rates of deforestation and land degradation. It is crucial to make sure that this knowledge is preserved and shared for the benefit of all humanity. This year’s Desertification and Drought Day will focus on a global knowledge exchange platform that will enable intergenerational learning by preserving and sharing ancestral knowledge with future generations of land stewards.

Unlocking Land’s Future

Unlocking Land’s Future of the world’s 8 billion people, over one billion of young people under the age of 25 live in developing countries, particularly in regions directly dependent on land and natural resources for sustenance. However, if we proceed with business as usual, we will pass on to them a legacy of degraded land and lost opportunities jeopardizing their livelihoods and future. Global land restoration commitments can only be achieved with the involvement of youth, who have the power to transform their communities by initiating innovative change. Creating job prospects for rural populations is a viable solution that gives young people access to eco-entrepreneurship opportunities and at the same time to scale up best practices. Each USD invested in land restoration can yield up to 30 USD in return.

According to the Desert Net International, engaging present and future generations is more important than ever to halt and reverse these alarming trends and meet global commitments to restore 1 billion hectares of degraded land by 2030. The theme chosen for this year’s Desertification and Drought Day — “United for Land: Our Legacy. Our Future.” — seeks to mobilize all parts of society in support of sustainable land stewardship.

“Around a quarter of the world’s population is affected by drought. The condition of our soils in Europe is also deteriorating rapidly. Protecting soil and land is a global challenge. We need to take action together today so that the generations to come can have access to vital natural resources. We will only be able to feed humankind and deal with the climate and biodiversity crisis if we have healthy soils,” Jochen Flasbarth, State Secretary of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.

UNESCO BMW’s Involvement

UNESCO BMW is committed to preserving and highlighting organizations investing in climate change education for their people, and I believe those efforts can and should engage the journalists telling environmental impact stories.

UNESCO BMW’s Vision

The UN’s mission regarding vulnerable and marginalized peoples encompasses promoting equity and inclusion, preserving their environment, and achieving peace of mind through mind, body, and soul wellness. UNESCO, as a non-profit organization, plays a crucial role in this effort, fostering diversity inclusion and equity. By encouraging eco-friendly practices, ecosystem protection, and sustainable business approaches, they contribute to a greener future for the planet and future generations. Through programs like the UNESCO Body & Mind Wellness Club, they inspire individuals to express themselves through arts and culture, music performances, art workshops, and engaging in nature activities. Women’s empowerment and human rights are at the forefront, offering support for women and addressing issues like ADHD treatment. Additionally, the UN seeks to raise environmental awareness, with programs like adopt a road and ecology volunteering. By offering inspiring books about life, mindfulness meditation practices, and wellness activities, the UN and UNESCO strive to enhance inner peace, wellbeing, and a healthy body-mind connection for all.

Our vision is to share and preserve the cultural and artistic heritage from around the world along with facilitating respect for Mother Earth all of which is supported by inner peace through meditation with free mentoring. UNESCO BMW is entirely nonprofit and aims to promote inner peace practices, encouragements of arts and crafts as well as protection of the ecosystem.

Kiwalabye Gerald IWALABYE GERALD

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