World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought 2019: Theme And Significance of the Observance That Raises Awareness on Protection of Land

The World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought (WDCD) is observed annually on June 17 to raise awareness about desertification, drought and ways to prevent it. The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed a resolution after drafting United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) on January 30, 1995. Every year the day is celebrated with a focus on a unique concept within the parameters of the observance. The World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought 2019 theme is 'Let's Grow the Future Together' (Reflecting on 25 years of progress and envisaging to the next 25) encouraging people against depleting the land of its inbuilt resources.

The day meant for preventing desertification tries to remind people how land degradation neutrality can be achieved by adopting various measures.

According to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, "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".

According to the United Nations, here are the key issues

Land and Drought

"By 2025, 1.8 billion people will experience absolute water scarcity, and 2/3 of the world will be living under water-stressed conditions."

Land and Human Security

"By 2045 some 135 million people may be displaced as a result of desertification."

Land and Climate

"Restoring the soils of degraded ecosystems has the potential to store up to 3 billion tons of carbon annually."

Watch the video on how land degradation affects the lives of people:

Since its adoption in 1994, UNCCD has contributed to the progress of sustainable land management. The international community adopted UNCCD in Paris on June 17, 1994, out of concern that "desertification and drought are problems of global dimension in that they affect all regions of the world". The 25th anniversary of the WDCD will be hosted by the government of Turkey on June 17, 2019, in Ankara.

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".

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 17, 2019 08:30 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).