Global drought extent expands, but UN drought framework agreement stalls

Drought is increasingly affecting global land areas, with 2025 seeing 30% of land experiencing severe moisture deficit. Analysis indicates the spread of drought in 2025 was nearly three times that of the 1990s, with drought formation and impacts fundamentally changing. A clear link exists between global warming and frequent drought spells, with studies showing increased atmospheric evaporative demand intensifying drought severity.

Efforts to establish a global drought framework under the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) have stalled. Countries failed to agree on the framework at COP17, with some, including the US, arguing that drought is primarily a domestic or regional issue rather than a multilateral concern. Despite the lack of a formal agreement, drought has been designated a standalone agenda item for future COP sessions.

The proposed framework aimed to shift countries from reactive to proactive drought management, including early-warning systems and financial mobilization for drought resilience. UNCCD estimates an annual $278 billion gap in funding for land restoration and drought resilience efforts.

Source: Down To Earth

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“`json { “headline”:”Ecological degradation and urban waste drive human-macaque conflict in India”, “excerpt”:”Escalating human-monkey conflicts in India are linked to degraded forests and unmanaged urban waste, drawing rhesus macaques to cities for food and creating dependency.”, “category”:”Biodiversity”, “article”:”Human-monkey conflicts in India are intensifying due to ecological degradation and urban waste mismanagement, leading rhesus macaques into human settlements for food.\n\nDegraded forests offer less natural food, while urban areas provide easily accessible food from open garbage and religious offerings, creating a cycle of dependency. Common responses like translocation are often ineffective, merely shifting the problem. Public feeding, often driven by religious beliefs, further alters natural behavior.\n\nEffective solutions require habitat restoration, including removing invasive species and protecting native plants, alongside community involvement in managing forest pressures. Urban waste management is also identified as a critical wildlife management tool, with secured containers and reliable collection systems needed to deter macaques.\n\nCoordination among various agencies is crucial, as fragmentation in responsibility has hindered problem-solving. Establishing dedicated conflict centers with clear protocols and defined authorities for capture, rescue, waste management, and monitoring is proposed to create a coordinated response.” } “`