UNESCO warns 90% of Earth’s land could be degraded by 2050 – UPSC Daily Editorial Analysis – 05th July 2024

UNESCO has issued a stark warning that by the year 2050, up to 90% of Earth’s land could face degradation. This means that a vast majority of the planet’s soil, forests, and ecosystems could deteriorate in quality, affecting our ability to grow food, maintain biodiversity, and support human settlements. Degradation occurs due to factors like deforestation, urbanization, pollution, and unsustainable agricultural practices, all of which contribute to soil erosion, loss of biodiversity, and desertification. This warning underscores the urgent need for global efforts to conserve and sustainably manage our natural resources to ensure a healthier and more sustainable future for generations to come.

Tags: GS-3, Ecology & Environment- Conservation– Environmental Pollution & Degradation

Why in the news?

• Recently, UNESCO issued a stark warning, projecting that 90% of the planet’s land surface could be degraded by 2050.

Status of land degradation:

• Current Degradation: According to the World Atlas of Desertification, 75% of soils are presently degraded, directly impacting 3.2 billion people worldwide.
• Further Degradation: If current practices continue unchecked, the degradation rate could escalate, potentially affecting 90% of soils by 2050.

What are the causes of land degradation and desertification?

• Deforestation: Removal of vegetation cover leads to soil erosion and loss of biodiversity. Globally, deforestation affects around 13 million hectares annually.
• Overgrazing: Intensive grazing by livestock reduces vegetation cover, leading to soil compaction and erosion. Over 70% of global drylands are affected by overgrazing.
• Agricultural Practices: Unsustainable farming methods such as monoculture, excessive tillage, and improper irrigation contribute to soil erosion and nutrient depletion. About 1/3 of the world’s land is degraded due to agriculture.
• Climate Change: Increasing temperatures and changing rainfall patterns exacerbate soil degradation and desertification. Over 25% of the Earth’s land is experiencing desertification due to climate change.
• Urbanisation: Expansion of cities and infrastructure leads to land cover change, soil sealing, and reduced infiltration capacity, impacting about 1.5 million square kilometres of land annually.

What are the Impacts of Land Degradation and Desertification?

• Loss of Agricultural Productivity:
  • Soil degradation reduces global crop yields by about 33%, contributing to food shortages and poverty (FAO).
  • Example: In sub-Saharan Africa, soil degradation reduces maize yields by up to 50%, affecting food security and livelihoods.
• Global Food Security:
  • Land degradation threatens global food security, compromising the well-being of at least 3.2 billion people worldwide (UNCCD).
  • Example: In parts of Asia, such as India and China, degradation reduces rice yields, impacting food availability for millions.
• Environmental Degradation:
  • Impacts water quality, biodiversity, and ecosystem services.
  • Example: Soil erosion leads to sedimentation in rivers, affecting aquatic habitats and reducing water quality for communities downstream.
• Water Management Issues:
  • Disrupts water infiltration, storage, and drainage in soils, leading to waterlogging and water scarcity.
  • Example: In arid regions like the Sahel in Africa, overgrazing and deforestation reduce vegetation cover, exacerbating soil erosion and water scarcity.
• Economic Impact:
  • Reduces land productivity, impacting livelihoods dependent on agriculture and natural resources.
  • Example: In Central America, soil erosion and degradation threaten coffee plantations, a critical economic sector, affecting incomes and rural communities.
• Social and Cultural Impacts:
  • Erodes cultural identities and traditional knowledge of Indigenous Peoples and local communities.
  • Example: In Australia, degradation affects Aboriginal communities’ connection to ancestral lands and traditional practices.
• Migration and Conflict:
  • Contributes to migration as people seek alternative livelihoods, exacerbating social tensions and conflicts over dwindling resources.
  • Example: In parts of Africa, land degradation and desertification contribute to migration, leading to resource-based conflicts and displacement.
• Climate Change Feedbacks:
  • Degraded lands emit greenhouse gases and reduce carbon sequestration capacity, contributing to climate change.
  • Example: Deforestation in the Amazon rainforest accelerates climate change through reduced carbon storage and altered regional climate patterns

Government measures to combat land degradation and desertification in India:

• Watershed Development Component (WDC) of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana:
  • Implements interventions like building water harvesting structures, expanding protected irrigation, and promoting afforestation and horticulture.
  • Aims to restore degraded land and improve water management.
• Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) Status by 2030:
  • India has committed to achieving LDN status by 2030, aiming to maintain or improve the health of its land resources.
• National Afforestation Programme (NAP):
  • Implemented by the National Afforestation & Eco Development Board (NAEB), Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change.
  • Focuses on regenerating degraded forests and adjoining areas with community participation.
• Desertification and Land Degradation Atlas:
  • Published by the Space Applications Centre (SAC) of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
  • Provides state-wise information on degraded land areas to aid in planning restoration efforts.
• Online Portal for Visualization:
  • Developed in collaboration with SAC, Ahmedabad.
  • Allows visualisation of degraded land areas and the processes causing degradation, aiding in monitoring and management.
• Centre of Excellence at ICFRE Dehradun:
  • Established at the Indian Council for Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE), Dehradun.
  • Focuses on South-South Cooperation for sharing knowledge and best practices in combating land degradation

Global initiatives by UNESCO on land degradation:

• World Soil Health Index:
  • A standardised measure to assess and compare soil quality across different regions and ecosystems worldwide.
  • Aims to provide a unified approach for monitoring and improving soil health globally.
• Pilot Initiative under Biosphere Reserves Programme:
  • UNESCO will launch a pilot initiative for sustainable management of soils and landscapes in approximately ten natural sites protected under its Biosphere Reserves programme.
  • Objectives include:
    • Assessing the effectiveness of management methods implemented in these sites.
    • Facilitating the adoption of successful methods in other regions to promote sustainable land management practices globally

Source: DTE

FAQs

Q: What does UNESCO mean by “land degradation”?

Answer: Land degradation refers to the deterioration of land quality due to human activities like deforestation, overgrazing, improper agricultural practices, and urbanization. This process makes land less productive for growing crops or supporting natural ecosystems.

Q: Why is UNESCO warning about 90% of Earth’s land being degraded by 2050?

Answer: UNESCO’s warning is based on scientific assessments that predict if current trends continue, up to 90% of Earth’s land could suffer from degradation by 2050. This degradation threatens biodiversity, food security, and the livelihoods of millions of people who depend on healthy land.

Q: What are the consequences of land degradation?

Answer: Land degradation can lead to reduced crop yields, desertification, loss of biodiversity, increased greenhouse gas emissions, and more frequent natural disasters like floods and droughts. It also impacts water quality and availability, affecting communities that rely on rivers and lakes for drinking water and irrigation.

Q: What causes land degradation?

Answer: Human activities such as deforestation, intensive farming, urban expansion, and industrial activities contribute to land degradation. Climate change, with factors like rising temperatures and altered precipitation patterns, exacerbates these effects, making land more vulnerable to degradation.

Q: What can be done to prevent or reduce land degradation?

Answer: Preventing land degradation requires sustainable land management practices such as reforestation, conservation agriculture, sustainable grazing, and urban planning that preserves green spaces. International cooperation and policies that promote biodiversity conservation and climate resilience are also essential. Individual actions like reducing food waste and supporting sustainable farming practices can contribute to protecting Earth’s land for future generations.

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