Desertification affects around of Africas land, with 55 per cent of this area considered at high or very high risk of further degradation. That is a huge threat to food security and sustainable development on a continent whose population is expected to grow by nearly 1 billion by 2050. Through , an award-winning initiative, Ethiopian villagers have replanted trees and shrubs, which are helping to counter desertification. The initiative has restored more than 350,000 hectares across Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Mali, Niger, Rwanda, Senegal and Somalia. It has done so by reaching more than 600,000 households through its training and tree-growing efforts.
Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are susceptible to extreme weather events, rising seas and temperatures, coastal erosion and biodiversity loss all caused or exacerbated by climate change. Children and young people living in the SIDS are especially vulnerable: a degraded environment affects them physically and psychologically. This is why youth action to protect SIDS is so important. On the eve of the 4th International Conference on Small Island Developing States () in Antigua and Barbuda, children and young people representing 35 of the 57 Small Island Developing States gathered at the to ensure that their voices are heard at this once-in-a-decade global event. Pictured: Children play by the sea on reclaimed land in Tuvalu.
In the relentless march of climate change, the Earth is heating up faster than ever. The climate crisis unquestionably poses an existential threat to humankind. But its not too late to pull back from the precipice. We can still realize the promise of the by taking urgent action, including reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by phasing out fossil fuels, protecting and restoring biodiversity and natural ecosystems and increasing resilience. Working hand in hand with nations around the globe, is spearheading efforts to translate intentions into actions.
Small-scale farmers in Southern Madagascar find themselves on the front lines of climate change, facing increasingly unpredictable weather patterns and environmental degradation. Erratic rainfall and prolonged droughts have become common, severely affecting agricultural productivity and food security.
Healthy land provides most of our food, clothing, shelter, jobs, and livelihoods, and protects us from worsening droughts, floods, and wildfires. Yet desertification, land degradation, and drought are among the most pressing environmental challenges of our time, with up to 40% of the worlds land already considered degraded. The theme of this years World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought (17 June), United for Land. Our Legacy. Our Future, spotlights the future of land stewardship our most precious resource to ensure the stability and prosperity of billions of people worldwide.
In her coastal home in Mokha, Zahara is busy cooking and caring for her husband, who is in frail health, and her extended family. Zahara's family, along with three other households, is a close-knit community united by family ties and mutual support. Over a year ago, the International Organization for Migration () provided them with a new transitional shelter that provides physical protection, security, and privacy. With their new shelter, they have found a haven from Mokha's strong winds and torrential floods, as well as the privacy they have longed for amid the bustling life of communal living.
"" highlights ILO's efforts to protect Mexican greenhouse workers from climate-induced excessive heat.
Food systems are collapsing due to climate change, biodiversity loss, and ecosystem destruction, but by empowering rural communities to lead sustainable management practices, we can restore ecosystems and ensure food security.
As the world struggles with global challenges such as climate change, health crises, food insecurity and human displacement, knowledge integration has become crucial. The statistical, data science, geospatial, and modeling sectors are tasked with providing integrated knowledge to shed light on these problems. The aim of the (Bilbao, Spain; 10 -14 June) is to address these emerging issues and share knowledge by collaborating with partners across sectors to inform climate change and sustainable development policies with integrated data.
In Cabo Verde, a Small Island Developing State, climate change has intensified the impact of droughts. Despite its name, Cabo Verde (Green Cape) faces a brutal dry season that turns it into shades of light brown. Farmers like Willy Gon癟alves rely on desalinized water due to decreased precipitation. Willy, who took over from his neighbor Nena, manages a farm where he plants seedlings with love and determination. The increasing temperatures and water scarcity pose challenges, but Willy is coping with the help of training from the
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Over half of the collected revenue from power, industry and new sectors, such as aviation and shipping is used to fund climate and nature programmes.
In the aftermath of Cyclone Idai, launches recovery project in Zimbabwe to rebuild communities and foster long-term resilience.
In the isolated expanse of the Arctic, amidst freezing sea ice and dwindling daylight, a sailor's reflections reveal the intricate dance of survival, adaptation, and changing landscapes in the face of climate shifts and cultural narratives.
Safeguarding future generations in a world at a crossroads. With that goal in mind, the United Nations University World Institute for Development Economics Research () is organizing a three-day (May 14-16) in Maputo, Mozambique. The event will be attended by renowned researchers and policy experts who will discuss the greatest development challenges of our time -climate change, persistent inequalities, and growing political instability- and what action is needed now to best protect future generations.