Land degradation and desertification
Up to 40% of the world's land is degraded, directly affecting half of humanity and putting around half of global GDP at risk.
How this affects people
Degraded land produces less food, holds less water and stores less carbon. In drylands like the Sahel, it can tip into desertification.
Degradation feeds hunger, migration and conflict over shrinking resources.
Look at what keeps the problem going
- 01Overgrazing and unsustainable farming
- 02Deforestation
- 03Drought and warming
- 04Soil erosion and salinisation
What could happen next
The future leaves room for choices. Compare the outlooks, check what supports them and notice where the evidence becomes less certain
Drought seasons accelerate damage
Each dry year strips more topsoil from bare land.
The future is not a timetable. These summaries reflect published scenarios and trends, with deeper uncertainty at longer horizons. Choices made now matter.
Where could a useful response begin?
Begin with a question you can investigate. Compare the sources and follow related briefings to see how the problem connects to other lives and places. This prototype does not accept proposals yet.
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