The cost and consequences of the land transformation grossly underestimated says the UN 

The cost and consequences of land use change are underestimated as demonstrated by COVID-19. Investing in the over 400 million hectares of land earmarked for restoration will help to build back better and safeguard our relationship with nature.

“The rapid and negative economic and social impacts of COVID-19 worldwide show the consequences of land use change are underestimated. The failure to slow and reverse the process of land use change may come at a very high cost in the future. It is in our interest, therefore, to ensure that as part of building back better, we take steps to help nature recover so that it works with and for, not against us,” said UNCCD Executive Secretary Ibrahim Thiaw at during a virtual press conference in observance of the Desertification and Drought Day 2020.

Read more:

• Full press release
• UNCCD in support of global response to COVID-19
• 2020 Desertification and Drought Day