Events

World Day to Combat Desertification

From: 17.06.2014 to: 17.06.2014

The World Day to Combat Desertification is observed annually on 17 June to promote public awareness relating to international cooperation to combat desertification and the effects of drought. This year, the theme. “Ecosystem-based adaptation,” and the slogan, “Land Belongs to the Future, Let’s Climate Proof It,” have been chosen to draw attention to some of the benefits of sustainable land management – moreover, increasing community and ecosystem resilience. 

More than one third of all mountains are located in drylands. Although dryland mountains are often sparsely populated - with nearly 300 million inhabitants globally – millions of people living in lowland areas depend on the water and other environmental services generated within these mountains. Dryland mountains provide around 90 percent of freshwater to the surrounding lowlands but climate change is increasing water stress and extreme weather events, putting more dryland mountains at risk of desertification.

National governments and civil society groups will mark the day with activities to reinforce the message that desertification can be effectively tackled.

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