By WANG XIAODONG in Kilifi, Kenya |
chinadaily.com.cn |
Pressure on fighting land degradation and drought globally is intensifying despite progress made over the past decades, the chief scientist of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification has said.
Barron Joseph Orr called for intensified international cooperation in land restoration to aid resilience, biodiversity and long-term food security as the world marked Desertification and Drought Day on Wednesday.
"There is much greater awareness today that land degradation and drought are systemic global risks affecting not only the environment, but food security, water availability, economies, livelihoods and stability as well," Orr said, adding more than 130 countries have now set voluntary land restoration targets under the UNCCD, and over 70 countries have developed national drought plans — compared to only a handful a decade ago.
