Mankind is “at a crossroads” in managing droughts: the number and duration have increased by 29 percent since 2000, a new UN report warns.
The report, titled “Droughts by the Numbers, 2022,” says containment “is urgently needed, using every means at our disposal.”
“We are at a crossroads,” said Ibrahim Thiaw, executive secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).
“We must steer towards solutions instead of continuing with destructive actions because we believe that small changes can heal systemic failures.”
Mankind is “at a crossroads” in managing droughts: the number and duration have increased by 29 percent since 2000, a new UN report warns
What happens if the measures are not stepped up?
Unless urgent action is taken, the UN has some discouraging predictions.
It is estimated that by 2030, 700 million people will be at risk of drought, while by 2040 around a quarter of children will be living in areas with extreme water stress.
Looking ahead to 2050, without urgent action, droughts could affect three-quarters of the world’s population, with up to 5.7 billion people living in water-stressed areas.
The report highlights several worrying facts and figures about the current state of droughts around the world.
From 1970 to 2019, weather, climate and water hazards accounted for half of disasters and 45 percent of disaster-related deaths, mostly in developing countries, according to the report.
But although droughts accounted for only 15 percent of natural disasters during that period, droughts took the largest human toll, with about 650,000 deaths.
The report also highlights the huge economic toll that drought is taking on the global economy.
It is estimated that droughts from 1998 to 2017 caused about US$124 billion in global damage.
Today, more than 2.3 billion people face water stress and nearly 160 million children face severe and prolonged drought, she added.
“The facts and figures in this publication all point in the same direction: an upward trend in drought duration and the severity of the impacts, affecting not only human societies but also the ecosystems on which all life depends for the survival, including our own Species«, Mr. Thiaw.
Unless urgent action is taken, the UN has some discouraging predictions.
It is estimated that by 2030, 700 million people will be at risk of drought, while by 2040 around a quarter of children will be living in areas with extreme water stress.
Looking ahead to 2050, without urgent action, droughts could affect three-quarters of the world’s population, with up to 5.7 billion people living in water-stressed areas.
According to the report, today more than 2.3 billion people face water stress and nearly 160 million children face severe and prolonged droughts. Dark red to white shows the most to least vulnerable areas
Other solutions outlined in the report include effective early warning systems, satellite monitoring and soil health investments
Mr Thiaw claims that we need to start taking a more proactive and risk-based approach to drought management, rather than reactive and crisis-based.
“One of the best and most comprehensive solutions is land restoration, which addresses many of the underlying factors of deteriorated water cycles and loss of soil fertility,” he said.
“We need to build and rebuild our landscapes better, mimicking nature wherever possible and creating functioning ecosystems.”
The report highlights several possible solutions to address droughts.
It suggests that we should change our relationship with food, feed and fiber, towards a plant-based diet and reduce or stop consuming animals.
Meanwhile, more sustainable and efficient agricultural management techniques could allow us to grow more food on less land and with less water.
Other solutions outlined in the report include effective early warning systems, satellite monitoring and soil health investments.
According to the report, 70 countries have so far participated in the UNCCD’s global drought initiative.
“We must all live up to our responsibility to wholeheartedly and without delay ensure the health of present and future generations,” Mr Thiaw added.
Changes required to mitigate droughts
The report highlights several changes needed to curb droughts:
- Sustainable and efficient agricultural management techniques that grow more food on less land and with less water
- Changing our relationship with food, feed and fiber, switching to a plant-based diet and reducing or eliminating animal consumption
- Concerted policies and partnerships at all levels
- Development and implementation of integrated drought action plans
- Set up effective early warning systems that work across borders
- Use of new technologies such as satellite surveillance and artificial intelligence to make decisions more precisely
- Regular monitoring and reporting to ensure continuous improvement
- Mobilize sustainable finance to improve drought resilience at the local level
- Invest in soil health
- Work together to engage and mobilize farmers, local communities, businesses, consumers, investors, entrepreneurs and most importantly, young people