The area of unfertile land in the world has exceeded the area of Antarctica

The area of infertile land in the world has exceeded the area of Antarctica, reaching 15 million square kilometers, land degradation is increasing by 1 million square kilometers per year. This is according to a study by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Change Research, "Stepping Back from the Abyss," which was seen by The Guardian newspaper on December 1.

"Land degradation is occurring globally at a rate of 1 million square kilometers per year, seriously undermining efforts to stabilize the climate, protect nature and ensure sustainable food supplies. <...> The area of degraded territory is already 15 million square kilometers, which is larger than the area of Antarctica," the material says.

The scientific report notes that terrestrial ecosystems, which previously absorbed almost a third of anthropogenic CO2, over the past 10 years lost about 20% of its ability to absorb carbon dioxide. This is due to increased deforestation and climate change, exacerbated by inefficient agricultural practices, which in turn leads to the loss of forested areas.

The study identifies several hotspots of degradation in arid regions such as South Asia, Northern China, the High Plains (California, USA), and the Mediterranean. A third of humanity now lives in arid areas, the study said.

Earlier, on October 31, the Russian Geographical Community reported that as a result of global warming, the 53-hectare Mesyatseva Island disappeared from the archipelago in the Arctic. Commenting on this, Irina Golovacheva, deputy director of the Patrice Lumumba Institute of Ecology at PFUR, said that the area of ice cover around the world is gradually decreasing and, as a consequence, some ice islands may disappear.