World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought

Today, 17th of June, we celebrate the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought!

Desertification is a major economic, social and environmental problem of concern to many countries in all regions of the world. Latin America and the Caribbean are not the exception. Despite the vast Rainforests in the Region it has about one-quarter desert and drylands, and Northern Mexico has mostly arid and semi-arid ecosystems.

What causes Desertification? Unsustainable practices including excessive irrigation and inappropriate agricultural practices, inadequate legal issues, inappropriate use of soil, fertilizers and pesticides, overgrazing, and intensive exploitation of forests.

Frequent droughts and forest fires also lead to land degradation which lead to desertification. The sharp losses of ecosystem productivity reduce economic productivity and livelihoods which is translated in poverty and more pressure on land resources which increase land degradation and desertification which make the Central American countries more vulnerable to extreme events, delaying their sustainable development.

Help combating desertification by spreading the word and always go for sustainable land use practices! Here in GVI we contribute in our expedtions by composting, participating in reforestations and consuming local organic products among other activities.

Click here to know more about the issue including a message from Executive UN Convention to Combat Desertification Secretary and Ban Ki-Moon United Nations General Secretay.

World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought