A recent report from the United Nations’ World Meteorological Organization (WMO) underscores the growing threat posed by sand and dust storms, primarily driven by climate change. This phenomenon is affecting over 330 million people across 150 countries and has been linked to significant health hazards, including increased rates of premature death. The UN General Assembly (UNGA) recently acknowledged the urgency of this issue, designating the years 2025 to 2034 as the Decade on Combating Sand and Dust Storms. This initiative aims to raise awareness and promote global action to mitigate the impact of such storms.
Assembly President Philemon Yang emphasized that sand and dust storms are emerging as one of the most critical but frequently underestimated global challenges today. He pointed out that these storms are exacerbated by factors such as land degradation and unsustainable land-use practices, which have been shaped by both natural and anthropogenic influences.
WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo elaborated on the economic and health ramifications of these storms, noting that they do more than obscure visibility; they significantly impair the quality of life for millions. The disruptions they cause extend across various sectors, including agriculture and renewable energy production, costing economies millions in damage and lost productivity. Highlighting the alarming statistic, Yang revealed that these airborne particles contribute to approximately 7 million premature deaths globally each year, while simultaneously decreasing agricultural yields by up to 25%, intensifying issues such as hunger and migration.
Notably, more than 80% of the world’s dust originates from the vast deserts of North Africa and the Middle East. Laura Paterson, the UN representative for WMO, stated that around 2 billion tonnes of dust are emitted each year, a volume equal to three hundred Great Pyramids of Giza. This dust can travel vast distances, affecting regions far removed from its point of origin, including the Caribbean and the United States, where damages from dust and wind erosion reached an estimated 4 billion in 2017.
Rola Dashti, Undersecretary-General and head of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia, revealed that the economic costs of addressing these storms in the Middle East and North Africa total roughly 0 billion annually, accounting for about 2.5% of the region’s gross domestic product. This spring, severe sand storms notably affected healthcare systems in Iraq, overwhelming hospitals with respiratory cases, while schools and offices in Kuwait and Iran were forced to close due to extreme weather conditions.
The WMO and the World Health Organization are raising concerns about the escalating health burden related to dust exposure. Between 2018 and 2022, approximately 3.8 billion people—nearly half the global population—were exposed to dust levels that exceeded WHO safety thresholds, a stark rise from 2.9 billion from 2003 to 2007. As awareness of this environmental challenge grows, the need for sustainable solutions and international cooperation in combating the effects of sand and dust storms is becoming increasingly pressing.
#EnvironmentNews #WorldNews