Among the 197 participants, some like the African countries were hoping for a global “drought protocol” along the lines of the Kyoto Protocol, which focuses on greenhouse gas emissions. This new instrument would be legally binding and would require additional funding to combat drought. Blocking by Western countries, including the United States, has prevented this issue from moving forward. It will be the subject of further discussions at COP16 in Saudi Arabia in two years’ time.
A report published by Oxfam on May 18 estimates that hunger claims a victim every 48 seconds in East Africa. While the continent is hardest hit by drought episodes, Europe is not spared either, with a wave currently hitting France. Novethic’s infographic gives us the figures for the deteriorating state of the planet: drought, land degradation, famine…
