The area of depleted land in the world exceeds the size of Antarctica - The Guardian.

Land around the world is rapidly deteriorating, losing millions of square kilometers each year. This is the conclusion of a study by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, reports The Guardian. The area of barren land is larger than Antarctica. Scientists state that such degradation harms climate stabilization, nature conservation, and sustainable food supply.

«So far, terrestrial ecosystems have absorbed about a third of anthropogenic CO₂ emissions, even with emissions doubling. But climate change and deforestation have reduced the ability of trees and soil to absorb excess CO₂ by 20%», - the report states.

Scientists emphasize that the devastated lands already exceed an area of 15 million square kilometers. They urge countries to accelerate efforts and make changes to stop the misuse of land, which threatens human well-being and the environment.

More than half of global food production could be on the brink of collapse within the next 25 years due to increasing cuts in access to freshwater around the world. The Global Commission on the Economy of Water report highlights that this crisis can be avoided if urgent measures are taken to conserve water resources and combat the depletion of ecological systems where freshwater is located.

In the United Kingdom, there is a growing number of organizations that, under public pressure and environmental issues, prohibit their employees from using domestic flights for work to avoid increasing hazardous emissions.