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Drylands have potential to fight poverty and climate change
21.09.2011 09:02 "Agro Perspectiva" (Kyiv) —
Drylands can play a critical role in fighting poverty and climate change, according to the United Nations Secretary-General.
Speaking at a General Assembly high-level meeting on desertification, land degradation and drought on Tuesday, Ban Ki-moon said nurturing the communities that depend on drylands lies at the core of sustainable development.
The Secretary-General said that 40 per cent of the earth’s land mass is characterized as arid or semi-arid.
«Two billion people depend on drylands for sustenance and income. Many are among the world’s poorest and most vulnerable to hunger. Drylands also offer considerable potential for helping to mitigate the effects of climate change. Dryland carbon storage mainly in the form of soil carbon accounts for more than one third of the global stock,» admitted Ban Ki-moon.
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