The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development states: "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, is one of the measures that contribute to combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil, including land affected by desertification, drought and floods; but mainly, it is part of the actions established to reverse the ecological situation, currently latent.
What would man's life be like without a place to sow, feed animals or maintain the balance of nature? I think it would be a catastrophe, because soil or land, as it is also known, is a substantial element for existence and sustainable development. Evidently, it is a complex threat that bursts strongly, causing more deaths, lower socioeconomic indicators and population displacement.
If we analyze the impact of desertification and drought, you may be alarmed to hear that by 2025, 1.8 billion people will be living in countries or regions with absolute water scarcity, and two-thirds of the world's population could be living under water stressed conditions. But that's not all, by 2045, around 135 million people may be displaced as a result of desertification. According to a study, the restoration of soils in degraded ecosystems can lead to the absorption and storage of up to 3 billion tons of carbon each year ...
Today it would be useful to refer to the situation of the soil, because the earth is life and we must take care of it. The World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought is observed every year (June 17) 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, according to the United Nations (UN).
Poverty, deforestation and poor irrigation practices also negatively affect soil productivity, putting food security at risk. Therefore, it is up to many people to become aware of this serious problem that requires education, campaigns, conferences and exhibitions on international cooperation, in order to combat desertification and the effects of drought ... but "acting" will be the only agreement to change the reality in dry areas, where the most vulnerable people and ecosystems of the planet live.
