Ukraine on the Brink of Environmental Catastrophe: Threat of Crop and Water Loss.

Drought and Desertification Threaten Ukraine

Every year on June 17, the world celebrates the International Day to Combat Desertification and Drought. The UN forecasts that by 2050, drought could affect 75% of the planet's population, with damages from this phenomenon exceeding 124 billion dollars over the past 20 years.

Ukraine is among the countries with the most intensive use of land for cultivation: more than half of its territory is occupied by arable land.

The issue of moisture shortage and desertification is particularly acute in Ukraine. The total amount of cultivated land is degrading and being contaminated, especially in the Kherson and Zaporizhia regions. Heat and lack of rainfall have already led to the loss of hundreds of thousands of hectares of agricultural crops.

Negative Impact of Drought and Mitigation Measures

In 2021, a record temperature was recorded in Ukraine, and periodic rains did not help moisten the soil. A decrease in water resources is projected across the country, exacerbating existing water supply issues.

WWF-Ukraine points out the need for measures to mitigate the impact of drought:

• Threat detection systems for prompt action;
• Creation of ecological infrastructure for moisture conservation;
• Secondary use of water resources;
• Collection and use of conditionally clean effluents.

According to WWF-Ukraine, global warming is a significant cause of drought, which leads to a decrease in water resources and an increase in arid periods.

Ukraine is facing a serious threat of drought and desertification, especially in agricultural regions. Urgent measures need to be taken to mitigate the negative impact of these phenomena, which could significantly affect the country's development in the future.

Ukraine is facing a serious threat of drought and desertification, especially in agricultural regions. The negative impact of drought is felt in Kherson and Zaporizhia regions, where crop losses have already occurred due to insufficient rainfall. WWF-Ukraine recommends urgent measures such as threat detection, creation of ecological infrastructure, and use of conditionally clean effluents to address these problems.