The United Nations has issued a stark warning that unsustainable farming practices and deforestation are pushing the planet toward a dangerous precipice, threatening the capacity to sustain human societies.
The report, released Sunday in collaboration with the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), highlights the impact of agriculture, which accounts for 23% of greenhouse gas emissions, 80% of deforestation, and 70% of freshwater use. It warns that industrialised farming and poor land management exacerbate climate change, biodiversity loss, and soil degradation, with global security at risk.
As nearly 200 nations convene in Saudi Arabia for the UN desertification summit, experts urge transformative action to restore 1.5 billion hectares of degraded land by 2030. Solutions include reforming agricultural subsidies, improving water management, and tackling corruption to protect ecosystems and ensure food security.
Saudi Arabia, exposed to desertification and home to one of the world’s largest deserts, has pledged to restore 40 million hectares of land, reflecting its stake in addressing the issue.