According to a recent United Nations report, over three-quarters of Earth's land has experienced persistent dryness in recent decades, a shift described as a “global, existential peril.”
The report attributes industrial emissions of greenhouse gases as a significant factor in this trend. If global temperatures continue to rise, the drying conditions may lead to increased occurrences of sand and dust storms, wildfires, water shortages, crop failures, and desertification.
This report was released on Monday during a U.N. summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where nations are discussing strategies to prevent further loss of habitable land.
Currently, nearly one in three people live in moisture-deprived areas, an increase from one in five in 1990. Key food-producing regions such as Argentina, Spain, and the Black Sea area are affected, alongside vulnerable regions like South Sudan, which faces conflict and instability.
Dr. Narcisa Pricope, a land systems scientist and one of the report's authors, emphasized that the aridity crisis is unfolding within our lifetime and is impacting future generations.
The report highlights that approximately 400,000 square miles of healthy and productive land is degraded annually. Countries have committed to halting this devastation under the 30-year-old U.N. Convention to Combat Desertification.
Saudi Arabia, hosting the summit, has been criticized for its efforts to slow global climate initiatives, despite being a signatory to various environmental pledges. At recent U.N. climate talks, Saudi officials reportedly worked against commitments to reduce fossil fuel reliance.
The report suggests actions to enhance resilience, such as reevaluating the cultivation of water-intensive crops in arid regions. Some areas with historical water challenges, like Los Angeles, are already exploring these adjustments.
Drylands are characterized by a consistent moisture deficit, where evaporation and plant vapor exceed precipitation. As of 2020, over 40 percent of Earth's land outside Antarctica was classified as dryland, with future conditions heavily influenced by fossil fuel consumption.
Europe is particularly at risk, with more than 95 percent of its land becoming drier in recent decades. This trend may worsen if emissions continue to rise.
The report notes that while some dry areas may experience increased precipitation due to climate change, no current drylands are expected to become persistently humid in the foreseeable future.
Dr. Peter Greve, a water and climate scientist, cautioned that the ecological consequences of this drying trend may not be reversible within human time frames, as many ecosystems are highly adapted to existing conditions.
While some species might adapt by migrating to cooler areas, Dr. Greve warns that the pace of change may outstrip their ability to adjust.