The study by the United Nations University, produced by more than 200 experts from 25 countries, suggests climate change is making creeping deserts “the greatest environmental challenge of our times”.
One-third the Earth’s population – about two billion people – are potential victims. Overexploitation of land and unsustainable irrigation practices are making matters worse, it says, while climate change is also a major factor degrading the soil.
Corporate pledges to fight deforestation by turning degraded pasture into cropland seen boosting demand for harmful chemical inputs.
As the New York-based firm was preparing to work on the climate summit, it was also pushing for Brazilian oil and gas distributor Vibra Energia to help power it.
Trade groups lobbied ministers to promote a source of energy linked to massive environmental harms at the U.N. climate conference.
Agribusiness companies generate huge quantities of greenhouse gas pollution — and PR companies help them obscure it.
