July 12 marked the International Day of Combating Sand and Dust Storms. This year’s theme, "Sand and Dust Storms: Working Across Agendas for Resilience and Sustainability," underscores a global call for cooperation in tackling environmental crises that now affect 151 countries, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization.
In response to worsening dust storms, the UN declared 2025–2034 the United Nations Decade on Combating Sand and Dust Storms, launching a decade-long push for coordinated action at all levels. Governments, businesses and communities are urged to contribute expertise and resources to build resilience worldwide.
China’s Three-North Shelterbelt Program in Action
On the Chinese mainland, the Three-North Shelterbelt Forest Program (TSFP) has entered its most ambitious phase. Since June 2023, more than 6.67 million hectares of land have been restored under a nationwide ecological security strategy:
- In the east (Horqin and Hunshandake), 948,000 hectares of shifting dunes have been stabilized.
- Around the Great Bend of the Yellow River in the center, 3.18 million hectares have been rehabilitated, cutting sediment flow into the river.
- In the west (Hexi Corridor and Taklimakan Desert), expanded forests and grasslands have pushed back the Tengger Desert edge by 25 km.
Deputy Director Zhang Shengdong highlights that 57.7 billion yuan has been invested and 369 major projects launched, treating 8.2 million hectares of degraded land. Science-based planning across 68 core zones has guided this effort, covering nearly 47% of the country’s landmass.
Innovation at the Forefront
Local authorities are deploying novel solutions. In Xilingol (Inner Mongolia), over 600 km of rural roads form a grid-like barrier to trap moving sand dunes. Along the Taklimakan Desert edge, an 800 km-long, 1 km-wide photovoltaic corridor combines desert prevention with renewable energy generation.
Advanced technology is reshaping desert control. Unmanned drones now deliver seedlings, while mechanized afforestation equipment handles nearly half of all operations. More than 100 scientific breakthroughs and improved plant varieties have been applied, boosting survival rates and efficiency.
As the first year of the UN Decade on Combating Sand and Dust Storms unfolds, China’s results offer a blueprint for large-scale, science-driven action. The blend of innovation, interregional cooperation and sustained investment points the way toward global resilience and a greener future.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
