Urgent Call by Researchers for Land Restoration and Sustainable Food Systems
In a groundbreaking initiative, researchers from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in Saudi Arabia, alongside Aeon Collective, have issued a critical appeal to world leaders. The urgent call emphasizes the need to prioritize land restoration and sustainable food systems as fundamental strategies in the fight against climate change and biodiversity loss. Their newly released strategy paper, titled 'Bending the Curve: A Call to Action on Land Restoration and Sustainability,' outlines a comprehensive framework aimed at halving degraded land by 2050.
This initiative aims to reverse the detrimental effects of land degradation, which include increasing food insecurity, diminished water resources, and escalated climate change due to reduced carbon sequestration capacity. Soil degradation is not merely a consequence of climate change; it is also a significant driver of the problem. Degraded soils lose their ability to effectively store carbon, exacerbating global warming while yielding lower crop outputs, which leads to unsustainable agricultural practices.
The paper was revealed at the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), hosted for the first time in the Middle East in Riyadh, adding substantial regional significance to global sustainability discussions. The goal of tackling desertification starkly highlights the necessity of investing in land management and opportunities.
Among the study's key recommendations are:
International agreements play a crucial role in restoring ecosystems that sequester carbon, host diverse species, and improve water management. Restoration activities are vital for mitigating climate change effects and enhancing resilience against extreme weather conditions. The paper urges policymakers to elevate the profile of land degradation and ensure future strategies are underpinned by scientific assessments and participatory processes.
Renowned KAUST professor Fernando Maestre, an expert in desertification and one of the authors of the paper, asserts, "Food systems are not just another environmental issue; they are essential to tackling global challenges related to climate change, land degradation, and biodiversity loss, and are critical for our development. Despite existing international agreements on climate and biodiversity, food systems have received insufficient attention from the global community."
Princes Noura bint Turki Al Saud and Mashael bint Saud AlShalan, co-founders of Aeon Collective, added, "Our vision at Aeon is to turn sustainability from a desire into a reality, positioning Saudi Arabia as a leader. By integrating economy, ecology, heritage, and culture, we aim to foster vibrant communities that thrive in harmony with nature. Our partnership with KAUST showcases our commitment to developing innovative solutions that balance these elements and secure a sustainable future for generations to come."
The COP16, taking place from December 2 to December 13, provides global leaders with a platform to discuss strategies against desertification and commit to sustainable land management practices.
This initiative aims to reverse the detrimental effects of land degradation, which include increasing food insecurity, diminished water resources, and escalated climate change due to reduced carbon sequestration capacity. Soil degradation is not merely a consequence of climate change; it is also a significant driver of the problem. Degraded soils lose their ability to effectively store carbon, exacerbating global warming while yielding lower crop outputs, which leads to unsustainable agricultural practices.
The paper was revealed at the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), hosted for the first time in the Middle East in Riyadh, adding substantial regional significance to global sustainability discussions. The goal of tackling desertification starkly highlights the necessity of investing in land management and opportunities.
Among the study's key recommendations are:
- - Enhancing International Cooperation: Strengthening synergies between UN conventions on climate, biodiversity, and land, to ensure aligned policy recommendations and monitoring of implementation. This includes establishing an integrated body for conventions that can guarantee accountability and track progress.
- - Leveraging Technology and Data: Utilizing artificial intelligence and Earth observation technologies for real-time monitoring and accountability. Developing global standards for soil health monitoring to improve management practices and ensure unified access to data worldwide.
- - Empowering Local Communities: Integrating indigenous knowledge and promoting an inclusive governance framework. Supporting smallholders in gaining access to land ownership, markets, and sustainable agricultural technologies to enhance productivity and resilience.
- - Advancing Sustainable Food Systems: Transforming food production methods to reduce environmental impacts, focusing on regenerative agriculture practices while aiming to cut food waste by 75% by 2050. Encouraging shifts towards more sustainable dietary options, including increased consumption of plant-based foods and sustainably sourced seafood.
- - Setting Ambitious Goals for Land Degradation: Committing to a 50% reduction in degraded land by 2050 and achieving land degradation neutrality (LDN) by 2030, aligning efforts with global policies on climate, biodiversity, and food systems.
- - Mobilizing Innovative Financing: Establishing green bonds and sustainable land investment funds aimed at attracting private capital for large-scale restoration projects. This could also involve debt-for-nature swaps and blended financing models to support sustainable land management in developing nations.
International agreements play a crucial role in restoring ecosystems that sequester carbon, host diverse species, and improve water management. Restoration activities are vital for mitigating climate change effects and enhancing resilience against extreme weather conditions. The paper urges policymakers to elevate the profile of land degradation and ensure future strategies are underpinned by scientific assessments and participatory processes.
Renowned KAUST professor Fernando Maestre, an expert in desertification and one of the authors of the paper, asserts, "Food systems are not just another environmental issue; they are essential to tackling global challenges related to climate change, land degradation, and biodiversity loss, and are critical for our development. Despite existing international agreements on climate and biodiversity, food systems have received insufficient attention from the global community."
Princes Noura bint Turki Al Saud and Mashael bint Saud AlShalan, co-founders of Aeon Collective, added, "Our vision at Aeon is to turn sustainability from a desire into a reality, positioning Saudi Arabia as a leader. By integrating economy, ecology, heritage, and culture, we aim to foster vibrant communities that thrive in harmony with nature. Our partnership with KAUST showcases our commitment to developing innovative solutions that balance these elements and secure a sustainable future for generations to come."
The COP16, taking place from December 2 to December 13, provides global leaders with a platform to discuss strategies against desertification and commit to sustainable land management practices.
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