Current dryland degradation and expansion trends are predicted to result in large-scale migration, growing poverty and famine, and increasing climate change, land degradation, conflicts, and water scarcity. To stop this situation, we need environmental and climate policies drawn from the fact that the Earth is more than just a planet: it is a complex-adaptive system. In this piece, our Managing Director discusses how “Earth system” policies should be integrated into Mexican efforts combating desertification.