June 25, 2020 marks the 25th edition of the “World Day to combat desertification and drought” established by the United Nations in 1995 (United Nations General Assembly Resolution A / RES / 49/1995) to raise public awareness on the matter of international cooperation to combat desertification and the effects of drought.

This year’s topic is “Food. Feed. Fibers,” a theme that will seek to raise awareness of the strong relationship among territory, soil, biodiversity and climate change.

Desertification often comes from drought and water shortage, but the strongest impacts are due to human activities: – intensive crops that deplete the soil; – intensive or wrong use of water resources; – intensive breeding that cuts vegetation down; – cutting off trees, which retain the surface of the soil. The consequences of soil degradation are impacting both on the ecosystem and on the conditions of human life, for example by increasing the incidence of poverty, famines, migratory exoduses and political, economic and social tensions.

Desertification is a threat to the arid and semi-arid lands of the poorest areas of the planet, which are also the most vulnerable to climate change. There are more than 110 countries potentially at risk of desertification. Italy has also been included among the countries potentially affected by desertification. The Center and the South of the country are the most threatened, with dramatic effects, including biodiversity loss and depletion of soil.

According to data from the National Research Council (CNR), Campania is also one of the areas at risk of desertification. These issues are closely related to water consumption in the domestic, agricultural and production contexts and to the need to define more sustainable practices, focusing on the use of resources.

That is why the Future Food Institute, the EIC – Ente Idrico Campano and the Municipality of Pollica, with the patronage of the European Commission – Representation in Italy, organize the Virtual Summit “Acqua, tra emergenza e ripartenza – biodiversità a rischio e soluzioni strategiche urgenti per un’economia climate smart”.

On this occasion they will sign an agreement – identified by the acronym” CLUSTER – Clever Use of Water “- focused on smart uses of water aimed at defining joint strategies, policies and models on water saving. The complete agenda of the event and the possibility to receive the link to watch the livestream are available HERE on Eventbrite