As global temperatures rise, more of the earth’s land is becoming vulnerable to desertification, a phenomenon that occurs in areas with low or variable rainfall and leaves soils less able to support crops, livestock and wildlife. During the last 40 years nearly one-third of the earth’s arable land has been lost and continues to be lost at a rate of more than 10 million hectares per year. The green patches on the world map are being replaced by brown.

Human activities that contribute to desertification include the intensive use of agricultural lands, poor irrigation practices, deforestation, and overgrazing. Unsustainable land uses place pressure on the land by altering its soil chemistry and hydrology.

“Simply put, land feeds us all... desertification threatens everything we eat, drink and breathe”. Ibrahim Thiaw, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification