A third of the planet's land is severely degraded. Every year, 15 billion trees and 24 billion tonnes of fertile soil are lost. The land we live on is strained to breaking point, which makes halting and reversing land degradation a key priority for most countries. This UN report inaugurates a global platform to share knowledge and catalyse action.
Intensive agriculture, deforestation, urban development, water extraction, resource depletion and climate change all ultimately impact the land -- the basis of all life. The urgency of the problem has been enshrined in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) agreed by 193 countries in 2015: SDG 15 is the protection, restoration and sustainable management of land-based ecosystems.
Hence this initiative from the UN -- an online platform for debate (here) and a report, Global Land Outlook (here). Time is tight: SDG Target 15.3 calls for a Land Degradation Neutral World by the year 2030.
The Sustain alliance campaigns for greener, fairer and healthier food systems for everyone. Find out more about our activities and join us here.
Published Saturday 23 September 2017
Sustain: Sustain The alliance for better food and farming advocates food and agriculture policies and practices that enhance the health and welfare of people and animals, improve the working and living environment, enrich society and culture and promote equity.
