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Get ready to join the fight against desertification and drought on June 17, also known as World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought! This important day was established by the United Nations in 1994 to raise awareness about the growing issue of land degradation and its impact on our planet. The theme for this year's celebration is "Land has true value - invest in it", highlighting the importance of sustainable land management practices. It's a chance for individuals, organizations, and governments to come together and take action towards preserving our precious natural resources. Let's make a positive difference together on this special day!
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1992</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Rio Summit Highlights Desertification</div><div class='timeline-text'>At the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, often referred to as the Rio Summit, the issue of desertification is highlighted as a major environmental concern.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1994</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Establishment of WDCD</div><div class='timeline-text'>The United Nations General Assembly establishes the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought (WDCD) to promote public awareness of the issue.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1996</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>UNCCD Adoption</div><div class='timeline-text'>Countries begin to ratify the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), a key international agreement stemming from the Rio Summit to address desertification and land degradation.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2005</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>International Year of Deserts</div><div class='timeline-text'>The UN declares 2006 as the International Year of Deserts and Desertification (IYDD) to focus on the urgent need to preserve and rehabilitate arid lands.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2010</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Decade for Deserts</div><div class='timeline-text'>The United Nations proclaims 2010-2020 as the Decade for Deserts and the Fight against Desertification to further increase global awareness and action.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Plant a garden</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Use this day as a chance to combat desertification by planting your own garden. Choose drought-resistant plants and learn about water conservation techniques to help make your garden thrive.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Host a documentary screening</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Invite friends and family over for a documentary screening about desertification and drought. Use this as an opportunity to educate and raise awareness about these important issues.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Organize a community clean-up</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Gather your community together to clean up and restore areas affected by desertification and drought. This can be a great way to make a positive impact on the environment and bring people together.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Educate yourself</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Take the time to learn more about desertification and drought by reading articles, attending lectures, or watching educational videos. The more you know, the better equipped you will be to make a difference.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Support organizations</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Show your support for organizations that work towards combatting desertification and drought by volunteering, donating, or spreading awareness about their cause. Together, we can make a difference in protecting the Earth's resources.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It raises awareness about a pressing global issue</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought aims to bring attention to the serious problem of land degradation, desertification and drought. It's a reminder that these issues are not isolated incidents, but rather a widespread crisis affecting many countries around the world.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It promotes sustainable land management practices</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>By highlighting the importance of preserving our land and natural resources, World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought encourages people to adopt sustainable land management practices. This can help to combat desertification and drought, prevent land degradation, and protect our ecosystems for future generations.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It brings communities together to take action</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>The day is also a call to action for individuals, organizations and governments to work together towards combating desertification and drought. By raising awareness and encouraging collaboration, we can make a greater impact in protecting our land and communities from these pressing issues.</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Desertification affects over a third of the earth's land surface</h3><p class='facts-content'>Desertification, which is the degradation of land in arid, semi-arid, and dry sub-humid areas, affects about 33% of global land surface, thereby directly endangering an estimated one billion people in about one hundred and ten countries worldwide.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Every year, 12 million hectares are lost due to desertification and drought</h3><p class='facts-content'>This amount of lost productive land is equivalent to losing an area the size of South Africa every decade. This has severe implications for those living in these areas, many of whom are the world's most vulnerable and marginalized populations.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Nearly 75% of the world's poor are directly affected by land degradation globally</h3><p class='facts-content'>Those who live in rural areas and depend largely on natural resources and agriculture for livelihood are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of desertification, making it a significant environmental and social concern.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Desertification is both a cause and a result of Climate Change</h3><p class='facts-content'>Desertification exacerbates climate change as it increases greenhouse gas levels in the atmosphere. In tandem, climate change intensifies desertification, especially in areas experiencing reductions in quality and quantity of water resources due to changing rainfall patterns and rising temperatures.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Restoring degraded land addresses both environmental and social challenges</h3><p class='facts-content'>Restoration efforts not only counter desertification and mitigate the impacts of climate change but also improve food security, create jobs, and uplift the economic stability of regions thereby enhancing the livelihoods of affected populations.</p></div></div>
World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought is celebrated on June 17 every year. In 2024, it will fall on a Monday.
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