UN says up to 40% of world’s land now degraded

Iraq's Lake Sawa, which has dried out because of climate change and harmful agricultural policies.
Photograph: Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

Human damage to the planet’s land is accelerating, with up to 40% now classed as degraded, while half of the world’s people are suffering the impacts, UN data has shown.

The world’s ability to feed a growing population is being put at risk by the rising damage, most of which is caused by food production. Women in the developing world are particularly badly affected as they often lack legal titles to land and can be thrown off it if conditions are tough.