Combat desertification and drought to shape a livable society

ALL living beings, including humans, need sufficient water to survive. Water availability depends on favourable weather and a healthy natural environment. Unfavourable weather conditions make it difficult to alleviate the hardships faced by people in society. Therefore, it is essential to address the negative consequences affecting ecosystems worldwide in order to build a sustainable and supportive society for future generations.

Desertification, land degradation, and drought are among today’s most urgent environmental issues, with nearly 40 per cent of the world’s land already degraded. As all countries reach the midpoint of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021–2030), it is critical to step up efforts to reverse this trend through large-scale land restoration. If cur­rent degradation continues, restoring 1.5 billion hectares and building a trillion-dollar restoration economy will be necessary by 2030. In this context, the 2025 World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, held under the theme “Restore the land. Un­lock the opportunities”, high­lights how restoring land can generate jobs, enhance food and water security, drive cli­mate action, and strengthen economic resilience.

Deforestation is one of the primary factors of desertifica­tion. Excessive timber extrac­tion, unplanned urbanization, unchecked industrial expan­sion, and careless use of water resources all contribute to the onset of desertification, land degradation, and drought. Indeed, the consequences of unregulated human activities, such as desertification, land degradation, and the resulting drought and water scarcity, are challenges that humanity must inevitably face.

Relevant authorities must regulate extreme actions globally. People should prioritize improving their livelihoods and contrib­uting to the development of their societies without harming the natural environment. If unfair actions driven by selfish interests go unchecked, it is certain that humanity will face the consequences of a degrading environment.

To mitigate the impacts of desertification and drought, every­one needs to take responsibility for preventing environmental degradation. Adopting sustainable practices, using natural re­sources responsibly, and reducing carbon emissions are critical steps toward this goal. By doing so, everyone can help shape both relevant societies and the planet into a lusher, greener, and more resilient environment for future generations.

If the desertification process can be reduced and impacts of droughts mitigated, every community around the world can be­come more livable for all people. This would be a valuable legacy for future generations. Therefore, everyone must make continu­ous efforts to support the 2025 theme of the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought.