On 17th June every year United Nations convention to combat desertification (UNCCD) observes world day to combat desertification and drought to promote public awareness of efforts to combat desertification. This year the theme was “Food, Feed, Fiber”.
Desertification is the degradation of land in arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid areas. It does not refer to the expansion of the desert. Humanity’s relentless production and consumption are leading to land desertification, destruction, and drought. The causes are:
1. Over-exploitation of vulnerable dryland ecosystem
2. Poverty, political instability, bad grazing practices, exploitation all undermine the productivity of the land.
3. Food and clothing industry contributes to 8% of greenhouse gas emission which is set to rise to 50% by 2050
4. The food processing industry (meat industry) contributes to the release of 28% of methane and nitrous oxides which are potent greenhouse gases.
5. Release and spread of zoonotic diseases due to rampant meat consumption (ex: Coronavirus)
UNCCD in its effort tries to promote public awareness to make informed and judicious consumption. If the public shifts to more eco-friendly products, the producers have to follow the path. This would go a long way in bringing about changes.
Truly, desertification is caused by human activities, but the major cause is deforestation as it exposes the soil to high rate of evaporation of water and thus making the land barren and dry.