Desertification is major global problem threatening 168 nations world-wide, costing US$490 billion per year and destroying an area three times the size of Switzerland annually. It is exacerbated by climate change and, as more land is degraded, less carbon is sequestered in the soils.
Despite all these well-known facts, Canada, under the Harper regime, withdrew from the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). This is an international effort to work to slow down and reverse desertification worldwide and cost the Canadian government only $283000 a year.
June 17th 2016 is World Day to Combat Desertification and it is a perfect time for Canada to re-enter the world stage as a leader in this vital environmental effort. If PM Trudeau and his government are serious about efforts to slow climate change, then global desertification must be a part of it. Trudeau stated that "Canada was back" as a member of the global community, yet his government has thus far failed to re-enter the UNCCD.
Sign today to tell Trudeau to honour World Day to Combat Desertification by rejoining the UNCCD. By signing today you are sending a strong message that Canada must be part of the global solutions needed to combat climate change.
To the Right and Honourable Justin Trudeau,
As a person greatly concerned with global climate change and the humanitarian crises of water and food insecurity I urge you to re-enter the UN Convention to Combat Desertification.
The annual cost for Canada is neglible, only $283000/year and the benefits are numerous. Canada must re-join the global effort to combat desertification.
Desertification, as of 2013, affects 168 nations world-wide, costs US$490 billion annually and destroys an area of land three times the size of Switzerland every year. These statistics are unacceptable and Canada must contribute to slow this disturbing trend.
Desertification affect crop lands and contributes to food and water insecurity in some of the most vulnerable areas. Desertification also contributes to climate change by releasing sequestered carbon from the soils.
