Desertification and Drought Day

The World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, celebrated annually on June 17th, aims to raise awareness about the growing threats of land degradation, desertification, and drought, and to inspire global actions to combat these challenges. The far-reaching impacts of these phenomena on ecosystems, food production, water resources, biodiversity, and human well-being are significantly exacerbated by the escalating pressures of climate change and unsustainable land management practices, creating a complex web of interconnected challenges. In 2025, the theme is "Restore the land. Unlock the opportunities”, emphasising the critical importance of sustainable land management, climate adaptation strategies, and water conservation in building resilience to drought and desertification.

As a contribution to this theme, I would like to highlight the scientific work of CITAB members in evaluating the impacts of climate change on agricultural water security under climate change on the Iberian Peninsula. The study underscores the growing aridity, temperature rise, reduced precipitation, and declining soil water availability projected for the coming decades- especially under high-emission scenarios. These trends signal increased vulnerability of Mediterranean agriculture to drought, emphasising the need for adaptive strategies. The research also reveals an expansion of water-demanding crops in drought-prone regions, highlighting the tension between agricultural intensification and water sustainability. CITAB's work, through geospatial analysis, bioclimatic modelling, and interdisciplinary approaches, contributes significantly to identifying critical thresholds and supporting decision-making for sustainable land and water use.

These scientific insights are essential not only for mitigating the effects of drought and desertification, but also for protecting food and water security, preserving ecosystems, and promoting climate-resilient agriculture - core objectives of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and the broader 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.