Land degradation threatens human wellbeing, major report warns

More than 3.2bn people are already affected and the problem will worsen without rapid action, driving migration and conflict

Land degradation is undermining the wellbeing of two-fifths of humanity, raising the risks of migration and conflict, according to the most comprehensive global assessment of the problem to date.

The UN-backed report underscores the urgent need for consumers, companies and governments to rein in excessive consumption - particularly of beef - and for farmers to draw back from conversions of forests and wetlands, according to the authors.