In the context of global heating, the president of the UN’s desertification conference has issued a warning that the world could experience significant disruptions to food supplies well before temperatures reach the 1.5C target. Alain-Richard Donwahi, formerly Ivory Coast’s defense minister and leader of the UN Cop15 summit on desertification last year, has stressed that the climate crisis, coupled with water scarcity and poor farming practices, is putting global agriculture at risk.
Donwahi, who is deeply concerned about the rapid onset of drought effects, likens climate change to a pandemic that demands swift action. He notes that while the focus remains on the 1.5C goal, adverse events such as soil degradation, water scarcity, and desertification could manifest even before reaching that threshold.
The ramifications of rising temperatures, heatwaves, and more frequent and severe droughts and floods have a direct impact on food security across various regions. Donwahi highlights the broader consequences of droughts on factors like population migration and inflation, emphasizing that negative effects extend beyond mere temperature changes.
Improper agricultural practices
Improper agricultural practices are exacerbating the situation. Donwahi emphasizes the link between poor habits and soil degradation, leading to reduced yields. He encourages private sector investors to actively engage in solutions and capitalize on opportunities for profit. He underscores the potential for returns through avenues such as agroforestry and improved soil usage.
In 1992, governments worldwide signed a treaty to combat desertification, alongside commitments to address Global heating and biodiversity loss. However, the desertification treaty tends to receive less attention compared to its counterparts. The Cop15 conference on desertification from last year took a back seat to events such as Cop27 on climate change and Cop15 on biodiversity. While organizers hold climate summits more frequently, desertification conferences have a lower frequency. They have scheduled the upcoming desertification conference in Riyadh for December 2024, coinciding with Cop28, the next climate summit, set to occur in Dubai in late November.
Donwahi underscores the urgency of addressing desertification. He stresses that the interconnectedness of desertification, drought, climate change, and biodiversity loss requires a comprehensive approach. He asserts that these issues know no boundaries and impact all countries equally, likening them to phenomena that require no visa to cross borders.
