Three-quarters of Earth’s land is significantly drier since the 1990s
People living in drylands doubled to 2.3 billion, more than a quarter of the world population, in the past three decades.
U.N. Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) 1996
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U.N. seeks decade of cooperation to fight rise in sand and dust storms
A U.N. report says at least 25% of global dust emissions that scatter on land and ocean come from human activities.
Drought data shows “unprecedented emergency" for 1.84 billion people
Almost a quarter of the world faces human-induced drought, and 85% of those live in low- or middle-income countries.
New global fund launches to restore biodiversity in developing countries
The Global Environment Facility set up the new multilateral fund with key initial investments from Canada and the U.K.
U.N. settles on new climate leader for 'decisive decade' of urgent action
Simon Stiell, a former senior official in Grenada's government and engineer, has been appointed the new U.N. climate chief.
Massive fund scales up on biodiversity
GEF drew US$5.25 billion in pledges for its work over the next four years on improving how the Earth's resources are managed in developing countries.
Nations challenged to restore land fertility from desert landscapes
Farming, logging, mining and other human activities add to climate impacts on land, costing up to 17% of global GDP.
'Low profile' multilateralism: North Korea's hidden avenues to the world
A U.S.-North Korea summit could expand a little-known aspect of a tightly controlled and secretive nation: North Korea's extensive involvement with international organizations.