荒漠化和土地退化使三分之一的地球表面受到影響，并對多達10億人的生計、福祉和發(fā)展構成威脅。在長期干旱、饑荒和日益深化的貧窮面前，許多人唯有一種選擇：逃離家園。據估計，環(huán)境問題造成的移民人數已達到2 400萬人。到2050年，這個數字可能增至2億。
　　今年防治荒漠化和干旱世界日紀念活動著重強調，荒漠化對國家和區(qū)域穩(wěn)定構成的威脅日益嚴重。在過去40年里，世界上近三分之一的農田已經荒蕪，被人遺棄。近四分之三的草地呈現不同程度的荒漠化。氣候變化是一個肇因，但并非是唯一的肇因。我們尤其必須重新審視我們的農業(yè)作法以及水資源管理方式。農業(yè)和畜牧業(yè)占用70%的淡水使用量，并造成80%的森林砍伐。對用作動物飼料和生物燃料的農作物的需求日益增長，如不進行可持續(xù)管理，這將給這些稀有資源帶來進一步壓力。
　　全球目前的消費模式和生產模式不可持續(xù)。所帶來的后果包括：更多的全球糧食危機(例如2008年發(fā)生的糧食危機)、荒漠化持續(xù)、土地退化和長期干旱。通常，窮人是最先深受其害、也是最后擺脫危機的人。
　　最近結束的可持續(xù)發(fā)展委員會第十七屆會議強調指出，荒漠化和土地退化是全球性問題，必須對此采取全球性對策。今年12月，世界各國領導人將在哥本哈根舉行會議，就氣候變化問題達成協議，屆時可以提出這一對策。全面、公平的放緩全球變暖協議，還必須協助發(fā)展中國家適應業(yè)已產生的影響。協議尤其必須提供充足、可預測的融資，為改善土地管理、提高用水效率和可持續(xù)農業(yè)提供支助。
值此防治荒漠化和干旱世界日之際，我們應認識到放任荒漠化問題加劇帶來的安全威脅。我們還應認識到，通過遏制氣候變化，我們可以為扭轉荒漠化趨勢、提高農業(yè)生產力、減緩貧窮和加強全球安全助一臂之力。

Secretary-General's message on World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought
Desertification and land degradation affect one third of the Earth's surface, threatening the livelihoods, well-being and development of as many as 1 billion people. Faced with long periods of drought, famine and deepening poverty, many have only one option: flight from the land. There are already an estimated 24 million environmentally induced migrants. That number could rise to 200 million by 2050.
This year's observance of the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought highlights the growing threat to national and regional stability posed by desertification. Nearly one-third of the world's cropland has become unproductive and been abandoned in the past 40 years. Almost three-quarters of rangelands show various symptoms of desertification. Climate change is a contributing factor, but not the only one. In particular, we must reconsider our agricultural practices and how we manage our water resources. Agriculture and the raising of livestock account for 70 per cent of freshwater use and as much as 80 per cent of deforestation. Growing demand for crops for animal feed and biofuels will put further pressure on these scarce resources if not managed sustainably.
Current global consumption and production patterns are unsustainable. The consequences will include further global food crises, such as we saw in 2008, and continued desertification, land degradation and periods of drought. As usual, the poor will be the first victims and the last to recover.
The recently concluded seventeenth session of the Commission on Sustainable Development stressed that desertification and land degradation are global problems that require a global response. In December, world leaders can provide such a response when they meet in Copenhagen to seal a deal on climate change. A comprehensive and equitable agreement to slow down global warming must also help developing countries to adapt to the impacts that are already under way. In particular, it must provide adequate and predictable financing to support improved land management, more efficient water use and sustainable agriculture.
On this World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, let us recognize the security risks of letting desertification advance unchecked. Let us also recognize that by combating climate change we can help to reverse desertification, increase agricultural productivity, alleviate poverty and enhance global security.