This date was set by the UN back in 1995 to remind the entire world that desertification is the result of a constant soil degradation caused by a nonstop deforestation, salinization, shortage of water and overexploitation of aquifers.

Drought, on the other hand, is a climate change or anomaly, which occurs when rainfall levels are far below normal to a geographical area, affecting the growth of all species in that zone.

Soil degradation in different regions of the world occurs as a consequence of continuous human activities, which unfortunately have damaged large extensions of land, causing erosion, depletion of aquifers and loss of soil nutrients.

At present, soil degradation is a serious issue for the countries´ economic development, especially in nations where planting and agricultural production are ones of major sources of income for the poor.

For such a reason, the UN calls on this day for the adoption of policies that help eliminate soil degradation, with which organizations deeply involved in have committed to guaranteeing the enjoyment of all resources provided by Earth.

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