Countries are meeting in Riyadh to address land drying caused by climate change, impacting billions and threatening food security.
Sibi Arasu reports for The Associated Press.
In short:
- A U.N. report shows over 75% of the world’s land has dried out since 1970, affecting ecosystems and agriculture.
- By the end of the century, nearly five billion people could be affected by drying conditions if warming trends continue.
- Talks focus on drought responses and funding commitments, with $12 billion pledged for drought resilience in vulnerable regions.
Key quote:
“The drier climates now affecting vast lands across the globe will not return to how they were. This change is redefining life on Earth.”
— Ibrahim Thiaw, chief of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification
Why this matters:
Desertification threatens food supply, forces migration and increases economic instability. Without global action, billions will face worsening water shortages and degraded land, pushing ecosystems and societies toward collapse.
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