Three-quarters of Earth’s land became permanently drier in last three decades: UN report

Three-Quarters of the Earth Has Gotten Permanently Drier

Of the eight planets and 293 moons that call our solar system home, only Earth has a surface that sloshes with liquid water. Roughly 71% of the face of our world is covered in seas, lakes, rivers, and oceans, serving as the elixir for more than three billion years of global life. But parts of Earth are not as wet as they used to be, and that’s thanks mostly to the highest of those life forms—us.  [time-brightcove not-tgx=”true”] According to a j…

UN report warns increase in permanently dry land is 'redefining life on Earth'

Just over 75 percent of the world's land has been left "permanently drier" over the previous three decades, a UN-backed report has found. The data coincides with Cop16 talks on desertification held in Saudi Arabia until Friday.

Earth’s lands face increasing drought linked to human activity

Three-quarters of the world’s land has become significantly drier due to human-driven global warming, according to a U.N. report released during desertification talks in Saudi Arabia.Raymond Zhong reports for The New York Times.In short:Human-caused global warming has intensified dry conditions acro...

With Earth's lands drying out, countries seek solutions

Much of Earth's lands are drying out and damaging the ability of plant and animal life to survive, according to a United Nations report released Monday at talks where countries are working to address the problem.

40% of Earth’s Land Is Now Drylands, Excluding Antarctica, Research Finds

According to a new report from the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), more than three-quarters of the world’s land has become permanently dryer over the course of recent decades. A combined area half as big as Australia has gone from being humid lands to drylands – an arid area with less rain for nature, pastures, crops and people. “For the first time, scientists within UNCCD Science-Policy Interface have clearly docume…