Overview

• A UN report reveals that 77.6% of Earth's landmass became drier between 1990 and 2020, with drylands now covering over 40% of the planet's surface.
• The transformation includes an area larger than India shifting from humid to dryland status, while 3.3 million square kilometers have moved into more severe aridity categories.
• The crisis affects 2.3 billion people today, a figure projected to rise to 5 billion by the century's end, with severe consequences for food systems, displacement, and economic stability.
• Factors driving aridity include climate change, deforestation, groundwater depletion, and unsustainable agricultural practices, creating a permanent shift rather than temporary drought conditions.
• The report highlights the need for global cooperation, sustainable land management, and innovative water-use technologies to mitigate the crisis and build resilience.