Over 77% of Earth’s Land Became Drier in Last 30 Years: UN Report

 The United Nations has reported over 77 percent of Earth’s land has become drier in the past three decades. This situation poses serious threats to agriculture, water resources, and wildlife, and urgent action is required to address these challenges.

Key Findings from the UN Report

The UN Science-Policy Interface conducted a comprehensive study, which indicates that increasing dryness is linked to desertification and climate change. The report marks the need for improved water management practices. Sustainable land use is essential for mitigating these effects.

Economic Impacts on Africa and Asia

Africa has been severely impacted by dryness. Between 1990 and 2015, the continent lost approximately 12 percent of its GDP. Projections suggest a further loss of 16 percent in the next five years. Asia is also at risk, with an expected GDP loss of about 7 percent due to similar conditions.

Crop Vulnerability

Certain crops are particularly vulnerable to drying trends. Maize in Kenya faces risks. If current trends persist, maize production could decrease by half by 2050. This decline would have dire consequences for food security in the region.

About Drylands

Drylands are defined as areas where most rainfall evaporates. These regions struggle to support plant life due to limited water availability. The report predicts that by mid-century, two-thirds of the world’s land will have reduced water storage.

Experts are advocating for immediate action, which emphasise the importance of combating desertification. Addressing climate change is crucial for safeguarding natural resources. Effective strategies must be implemented to protect vulnerable ecosystems and communities.

 GKToday Facts for Exams:

1. UN Science-Policy Interface – This UN body bridges science and policy. It aims to inform decision-makers about sustainable practices. Its findings guide global responses to environmental challenges.
2. Drylands – Drylands are regions where rainfall evaporates rapidly. They face extreme water scarcity. These areas struggle to sustain vegetation, impacting agriculture and biodiversity .
3. African GDP Loss – Africa lost 12 percent of its GDP from 1990 to 2015 due to dryness. Future projections indicate a 16 percent loss within five years. This economic impact is alarming.

Turkey earthquake: What causes an earthquake and why it cannot be predicted

 

Turkey earthquake: Prediction of an earthquake needs a precursory signal from within the earth that indicates a big quake is on the way. Currently, there is no equipment to find such a signal, even if they exist.

More than 1,500 people died and several hundred were injured after a major earthquake of magnitude 7.8 hit south-central Turkey and Northwest Syria on Monday early morning.

Turkey’s President Tayyip Erdoğan said that authorities are yet to determine how high the death toll might rise as search and rescue operations are still going on. AP news reported hundreds are still believed to be trapped under debris.

The US Geological Survey (USGS) said while the quake was centred about 33 km from Gaziantep, around 18 km deep, its effect was felt across West Asia, Northern Africa and South Eastern Europe with residents of Lebanon, Cyprus, Greece, Israel and Egypt also reporting tremors. India is among the 45 countries, which have so far offered assistance to Turkey. It’s sending search and rescue teams of the National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) and medical teams along with relief material to the West Asian nation.

What is an earthquake?

An earthquake is an intense shaking of the ground caused by movement under the earth’s surface. It happens when two blocks of the earth suddenly slip past one another, according to USGS. This releases stored-up ‘elastic strain’ energy in the form of seismic waves, which spreads through the earth and cause the shaking of the ground.

What exactly causes earthquakes?

As we know, the earth’s outermost surface, crust, is fragmented into tectonic plates. The edges of the plates are called plate boundaries, which are made up of faults. The tectonic plates constantly move at a slow pace, sliding past one another and bumping into each other. As the edges of the plates are quite rough, they get stuck with one another while the rest of the plate keeps moving. Earthquake occurs when the plate has moved far enough and the edges unstick on one of the faults.

USGS says that “the location below the earth’s surface where the earthquake starts is called the hypocenter, and the location directly above it on the surface of the earth is called the epicentre.”

Can earthquakes be predicted?

No. An accurate prediction of an earthquake requires some sort of a precursory signal from within the earth that indicates a big quake is on the way. Moreover, the signal must occur only before large earthquakes so that it doesn’t indicate every small movement within the earth’s surface. Currently, there is no equipment to find such precursors, even if they exist.

Source: Indian Express, 7/02/23