There is no doubt, it is the effects of climate change. They are affecting the earth’s surface irreversibly. 75% of the Earth is drier. Even permanently, and the change occurred in the last three decades. A historic report from the United Nations (UN) warns of this.
By the year 2100, up to 5 billion people could end up living in arid regions. Depleted soils, reduced water resources and destroyed vital ecosystems are predicted. The report is from the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).
drying ourselves
In the last 30 years, 77.6% of the earth’s surface has become drier. The increase in arid areas has been equivalent to the territory of India. It covers up to 40.6% of the land, with the exception of Antarctica.
«We managed to document the aridity crisis in a concise way. It is a real threat to billions of people around the world,” Ibrahim Thiaw, executive secretary of the UNCCD, warned in a statement. “Droughts end. But when an area’s climate becomes drier, the ability to return to previous conditions is lost. These are lands all over the planet that will not return to their previous state. “This is completely redefining life on Earth,” said Thiaw.
Due to climate change, existing water evaporates faster and the atmosphere is acquiring a greater capacity to absorb it. Living conditions on the planet are becoming more difficult. Arid grasslands are replacing green forests. The humidity necessary to normally carry out daily activities and agriculture disappears.
Consequences
75% of the Earth is drier and the consequences are palpable. 3 billion people and more than half of the world’s food production have crises in their water systems. The study has special relevance given the complexity of the related factors and the contradictory results. They make the task of documenting in a detailed and concise manner the changes caused by global warming a challenge.
The use of advanced climate models and standardized methodologies facilitated its creation. And they let us see a clear image of the growing tendency towards desiccation.
