We are determined to protect the planet from degradation

It occurs because dry land ecosystems, which cover over one third of the world‘s land area, are extremely vulnerable to overexploitation and inappropriate land use. Poverty, political instability, deforestation, overgrazing and bad irrigation practices can all undermine the productivity of the land. 

Over 250 million people are directly affected by desertification, and about one billion people in over one hundred countries are at risk. These people include many of the world‘s poorest, most marginalised and politically weak citizens.

The World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought is observed every year to promote public awareness of international efforts to combat desertification. The day is a unique moment to remind everyone that land degradation neutrality is achievable through problem-solving, strong community involvement and co-operation at all levels. This year the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought examine the important link between land degradation and migration. Among others, environmental degradation, food insecurity and poverty are causes of migration and development challenges.   

In just 15 years, the number of international migrants worldwide has risen from 173 million in 2000 to 244 million in 2015.

This year's celebration looks at specific ways local communities can build resilience against current multi-fold development challenges through sustainable land management practices. This day should remind everyone of land’s important role in producing food and generating local employment, as well as its ability to add to the sustainability, stability and security of desertification-affected places. Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso, hosts the global observance of 2017, organised by the Ministry of Environment, Green Economy and Climate Change.

 The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development declares that “we are determined to protect the planet from degradation, including through sustainable consumption and production, sustainably managing its natural resources and taking urgent action on climate change, so that it can support the needs of the present and future generations”. Specifically, Goal 15 states our resolve to halt and reverse land degradation.

Climatic variations and human activities  can be regarded as the two main causes of desertification.

Climatic variations including climate change, drought, moisture loss on a global level human activities - these include overgrazing, deforestation and removal of the natural vegetation cover by taking too much fuel wood and agricultural activities in the vulnerable ecosystems of arid and semi-arid areas, which are thus strained beyond their capacity. 

These activities are triggered by population growth, the impact of the market economy, and poverty. Population levels of the vulnerable dry lands have a close relationship with development pressure on land by humanactivities which are one of the principal causes of desertification.

There is a vicious circle by which when many people live in the dry land areas, they put pressure on vulnerable land by their agricultural practices and through their daily activities, and as a result, they cause further land degradation.