World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought 2024

World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought is celebrated every year on 17 June. It raises awareness about desertification prevention strategies and how to recover from the drought. Desertification is the conversion of productive land to desert, caused by drought, deforestation, or inefficient agriculture. Desertification decreases biological productivity, which is harmful in places already plagued by poverty and hunger. The day provides an opportunity to recognise that land degradation neutrality is attainable via problem-solving, strong community involvement, and collaboration at all levels. 

Name of the day	World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought
Observed on	June 17
Reason	To educate people about the need to manage the degradation of land and water resources.
Theme 2024	United for Land: Our Legacy. Our Future

History of World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought

Desertification was acknowledged as one of the most significant threats to sustainable development at the Rio Earth Summit in 1992. The United Nations General Assembly adopted the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in 1994. This international legally binding accord linked the environment and development to sustainable land management. In addition to the UNCCD, the United Nations declared June 17th as World Day Against Desertification and Drought. 

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Goals of Desertification and Sustainable Development

According to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, “we are determined to protect the planet from degradation, including through sustainable consumption and production, managing its natural resources sustainably, and taking urgent action on climate change, so that it can support the needs of present and future generations.”, says one of the UN representative. Goal 15 expresses our determination to halt and reverse the land deterioration.

So, World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought is an event that educates the public about the issues of combatting desertification and drought. This day also discusses the effects of drought and desertification.

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What is the Theme of World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought in 2024?

The theme of World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought in 2024 is, “United for Land: Our Legacy. Our Future”. Earlier in 2023, the theme was Her Land, Her Rights. It emphasized women’s land rights, critical for attaining the interconnected global goals of gender equality and land degradation neutrality by 2030, as well as contributing to the progress of several other Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Here are the themes of previous years:

2020: Food. Feed. Fibre. – The Links Between Consumption and Land.

2019: Let’s Grow the Future Together

2018: Land Has True Value. Invest In It.

2017: Link Between Land Degradation and Migration.

2016: Protect Earth. Restore Land. Engage People.

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What is the Significance of World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought?

Here are a few reasons highlighting the significance of World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought:

• It raises awareness about the potential dangers of desertification and drought.
• The day advocates for new policies and initiatives to fight against the degradation of land and other natural resources of our planet Earth. 
• It promotes sustainable land management practices on a global scale.
• The day motivates governments, organizations, and individuals to acknowledge individual and collective responsibility towards the planet.

Ways to Prevent Desertification

More than two billion hectares of productive land have been degraded in recent years. The good news is that there are some proven methods for preventing desertification. Among these methods are:

• Protect the soil from degradation by managing land and water.
• Maintain vegetative cover.
• Integrate land use for grazing and cultivation to enable more efficient nutrient cycling.
• Use traditional agricultural practices in conjunction with land-use technologies.
• Provide local communities with the resources they need to manage dryland.
• Create economic prospects in urban drylands.

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How to Observe the Day?

Environmentalists and conservationists deliver presentations to the public on solutions to prevent desertification and drought on this day. To take part:

• Learn how to protect the soil on your property.
• At least one tree should be planted on your land.
• Learn about the advantages of seed banks.
• View movies and read articles on desertification and its effects on the environment.
• Use the hashtag #WorldDayToCombatDesertificationAndDrought to raise awareness for this day on social media.

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