Land Degradation Threatens Climate, Biodiversity, and Food Security: Urgent Action Needed

Land degradation is rapidly expanding, with an estimated 1 million square kilometers of land being affected annually. The current degraded area covers 15 million square kilometers, surpassing the size of Antarctica. This trend poses significant risks to climate stabilization, biodiversity protection, and global food security.

A new report warns that without urgent action, the continued degradation of land could irreversibly damage the Earth’s ability to support human and environmental well-being, leading to long-term consequences for both ecosystems and human populations.

The report aims to draw attention to the critical issue of land degradation ahead of a summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where 200 nations will gather under the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). This convention, alongside those addressing climate change and biodiversity, is one of three major international efforts established at the 1992 Earth Summit.

Despite its importance, the UNCCD is often overshadowed by the more widely recognized climate and biodiversity agreements. The new report highlights how land degradation, climate change, and biodiversity loss are deeply interconnected, contributing to a series of global environmental and humanitarian crises.

According to the Stepping Back from the Precipice report, land ecosystems previously absorbed about one-third of human-caused carbon emissions. However, over the past decade, their capacity to absorb CO₂ has diminished by 20%, primarily due to deforestation and the accelerating impacts of climate change.

Unsustainable agricultural practices, particularly the heavy use of chemicals, pesticides, and water diversion, are identified as the leading causes of forest loss and land degradation. These practices not only harm the environment but also reduce soil fertility, water availability, and crop yields, ultimately threatening food security and human health.

The report also points out that land degradation is especially severe in dry regions, such as South Asia, northern China, California, and the Mediterranean. These areas are particularly vulnerable to desertification, soil erosion, and other forms of land degradation.

As climate change intensifies, prolonged droughts and increased flooding further exacerbate these issues, with the most significant impact felt in low-income countries. Vulnerable groups, particularly women and children, are disproportionately affected, facing increased workloads, health risks, and educational setbacks, which worsen existing inequalities and lead to more widespread poverty and migration.

To mitigate these challenges, the report emphasizes the need for an integrated approach to land management that addresses both environmental and social factors. It urges policymakers to recognize land as a cornerstone of global sustainability, stressing that neglecting land degradation could push humanity beyond safe ecological limits.

The interconnectedness of land use with the Earth system and human livelihoods means that effective land management can serve as a key strategy to achieve global sustainability goals, reduce resource pressures, and prevent further social and environmental crises.