World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought

World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought

The World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought is an annual event aimed at raising awareness about the devastating effects of these issues on global ecosystems, food production, and economies. One of the key aspects of this observance is to educate communities and governments on the importance of sustainable land management practices, inevitably leading to a healthier environment, more resilient economies and enhanced quality of life.

The origins of the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought date back to 1994, following the United Nations General Assembly's adoption of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). Australia's arid climate and variable rainfall patterns make it crucial for the nation to engage in the discussion and act upon the threats posed by desertification and drought. As a country whose population and industries are heavily reliant on agriculture and natural resources, Australia has much at stake, making its citizens and leaders potential contributors to finding global solutions to these environmental challenges.

Throughout Australia, communities, organisations, and governments come together on this day, engaging with each other through various events and activities. These include informational presentations that highlight best practices in sustainable land management, removal of invasive species, and planting native vegetation to bolster natural habitats. Australians are urged to learn and become involved in the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, as a collective effort is necessary to better manage the land and resources, ultimately securing a prosperous future for generations to come. The World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought is observed on June 17th every year.

Top 8 Facts for 2026 World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought in Australia

• The 2026 global observance of the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought is held under the theme Rangelands: Recognize. Respect. Restore., placing a specific focus on ecosystems that cover more than half of the Earth’s land surface.
• This year's event is uniquely aligned with the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists, a United Nations initiative aimed at raising awareness of the ecological and economic importance of the world’s vast grazing lands.
• For Australians, the focus on rangelands is particularly relevant as these environments encompass approximately 80% of the Australian landmass, playing a critical role in the nation’s agricultural output and Indigenous heritage.
• Recent data from the Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change indicates that between 2020 and 2024, approximately 43% of Australia’s land area experienced at least one month of extreme drought per year.
• Long-term climate trends show that southern Australia has recorded below-average rainfall during the crucial cool season in 26 of the last 32 years, highlighting a persistent drying shift that impacts major urban water supplies and "breadbasket" farming regions.
• The global host for the 2026 celebrations is Kenya, marking the first time in nearly a decade that the official international event has been hosted on the African continent to spotlight solutions for dryland communities.
• Research highlights that soil moisture in the Australian Rangelands is often a more accurate predictor of impending drought than rainfall alone, as parched earth can absorb significant precipitation before it ever reaches vital river systems or dams.
• Scientists have noted that droughts are lasting longer in Australia’s most densely populated regions, with evaporation on hot, dry days now serving as the strongest predictor of crop failure in the nation's arid zones.

In the News and Trending in Australia for World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought

Top things to do in Australia for this observance

• Learn about the UN's great green wall initiative. Once finished, it will become the largest living structure on the planet.
• Watch several short films on desertification and drought.
• Watch a documentary to learn more about desertification in Australia. Here are our suggestions:
  1. Living with Drought: Australian Farmers' Stories (2020) - This documentary focuses on the experiences of Australian farmers during the prolonged drought period, showcasing their resilience and adaptability in the face of extreme weather conditions.
  2. The Battle to Beat Australia's Drought (2018) - Produced by 60 Minutes Australia, this documentary highlights the struggles faced by rural communities in Australia during one of the worst droughts in the country's history.
  3. Life on the Edge: Managing Drought in Australia's Outback (2017) - This documentary highlights the experiences of those living in Australia's Outback during times of drought, along with the innovative techniques being employed to manage scarce water resources and preserve the unique ecosystems in this harsh environment.
• Watch a documentary to learn more about desertification in Australia. Here are our recommendations:
  1. Desertification in Australia: An Eye to Grass Roots and Horizons by Rangeland Ecology & Management
  2. The Australian Drought: Impacts, Policy and Adaptation by Kerry Bridle, Amandine Denis-Ryan, and Margaret Somerville
  3. Climate, Fire and Drought in Australia: Learning from the Black Saturday Fires by Kevin Tolhurst and Owen Price