This is how the sand and dust come into the atmosphere on an annual basis according to the world meteorological organization (Wmo)) report On storms that disperse these particles through the borders of the whole world.
Reports from the United Nations Meteorological Agency warn that if the amount of dust has slightly decreased in 2024, the impact on humans and economies increases.
Wmo esteem that Over 330 million people in 150 countries are affected by sand and dust stormsresulting in premature deaths and other health consequences in addition to high economic costs.
More than a simple dark sky
“” Sand and dust storms do not only mean dirty windows and foggy sky. They harm the health and quality of life of millions people and cost several million dollars, “said Celeste Saulo, the Secretary general of WMO.
Although the movement of sand and dust is a natural meteorological process, an increased degradation of land and poor water management have, in recent decades, exacerbated prevalence and geographic spread.
Dust and sand particles-80% of which come from North Africa and the Middle East-can be transported thousands of kilometers through borders and oceans.
“What starts in a storm in the Sahara can darken the sky in Europe. What is lifted in Central Asia can change air quality in China. The atmosphere does not recognize the borders“Said Sara Basart, scientific head of the OMM said during a briefing in Geneva.
And this is precisely what happened in 2024. The dust and sand of Western Sahara went to the Canary Islands of Spain. And the fierce winds and the drought in Mongolia brought dust to Beijing and north of China.
Fast growing challenge
“These extreme meteorological events are not local anomalies. Sand and dust storms quickly become one of the most neglected but deepest world challenges of our time“Said a senior official on Thursday morning to express himself in the name of Phillémon Yang, President of the General Assembly.
Storms can obscure sunlight, modifying ecosystems on earth and in the ocean. In addition to environmental impacts, these weather events have deep impacts on humans and their savings.
“Once considered seasonal or localized, sand and dust storms have turned into a persistent and intensifying global danger,” said Rola Dashti, the co -president of the United Nations coalition on the fight against sand and dust storms.
Between 2018-2022, more than 3.8 billion people were exposed to dust particles, the regions most affected by the trash has undergone exposure to dust 87% of the time during this same period.
These particles aggravate cardiovascular disease and have other harmful health effects, resulting in 7 million premature deaths each year, especially among the already vulnerable populations.
Mr. Yang described this as a “amazing human toll”: from an economic point of view, storms can lead to a 20% reduction in agricultural production among rural communities, pushing them towards hunger and poverty.
In the Middle East and North Africa, economic losses in 2024 due to sandstorms and dust represented 2.5% of regional GDP.
I can’t go alone
WMO calls on the international community to invest more in early alert systems and data monitoring.
“” No country, so prepared, can face this challenge alone. Sandstorms and dust storms are a trans-bondage threat that requires coordinated, multisectoral and multilateral action, “said Dashti.
With 2025-2034 declared The decade on the fight against sand and dust storms, Mr. Yang said it should prove a turning point. He urged Member States to move from awareness of action – and from fragmentation to coordination.
Publicado anteriormente en Almouwatin.
