Desertification: what to do?

World Day to Combat Desertification on June 17 was established in 1994 with the aim of creating a world where the neutrality of soil degradation provides a solid foundation for poverty reduction, food security, water security, as well as climate change mitigation and adaptation.

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development states that “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, the goal is to stop and reverse soil degradation.

Desertification is a climatic/environmental process, caused by natural events or human activities, that involves the Earth’s surface leading to soil degradation and the disappearance of flora and fauna, transforming the environment into a desert.

Why World Day to Combat Desertification?

Today, June 17, 2025, the World Day to Combat Desertification is observed to raise public awareness about international efforts to combat desertification and drought. This day is a unique moment to remind us all that achieving land degradation neutrality is possible through problem resolution, strong community involvement, and cooperation at all levels.

• Land and drought – By 2025, 1.8 billion people will experience absolute water scarcity and two-thirds of the world will live under water-stressed conditions. A complex and slowly encroaching natural hazard with significant and pervasive socioeconomic and environmental impacts that cause more deaths and human migrations than any other natural disaster.
• Land and security – By 2045, around 135 million people could be displaced due to desertification. Achieving soil degradation neutrality, restoring already degraded land, increasing sustainable land management, and accelerating restoration initiatives are pathways to greater resilience and security for all human beings.
• Land and climate – Restoring degraded ecosystems has the potential to store up to 3 billion tons of carbon per year. Land use accounts for nearly 25% of total global emissions. Its rehabilitation, coupled with sustainable management, are crucial elements in combating climate change.

What to do on World Day to Combat Desertification?

As strange as it may seem, in Italy too some events are held for the World Day to Combat Desertification. Participating in one of these events is definitely the first thing to do.

Furthermore, here are some tips that we feel like giving you even though they may sound cliché, it’s important that these are applied every single day of our life:

• Purchase environmentally certified eco-friendly products.
• Prefer organic products.
• Do not waste water or food.
• Inform your acquaintances.