A full 90 per cent of the Earth’s precious topsoil is likely to be at risk by 2050, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, FAO.
In a bid to protect soil globally and help farmers, the FAO warned on Wednesday that the equivalent of one soccer pitch of earth erodes, every five seconds.
It also takes around a thousand years to create just a few centimetres of topsoil and to help land restoration. Now, the UN agency is calling for more action by countries and partners who’ve signed up to the Global Soil Partnership (GSP) over the last decade.
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FAO
FAO
Action areas
The five key actions that FAO has called for, tasks civilians, governments and international institutions, with taking greater action to monitor and care for soil.
One achievement of GSP, thus far, has been the partnership with farmers and local governments to enhance soil health.
Programmes have been initiated to improve the amount of organic matter in soil, “by adopting practices such as using cover crops, crop rotation and agroforestry”, said FAO.
Costa Rica and Mexico have signed up to these pilot schemes and trained farmers in the use of best practices which include using so-called “cover crops” that prevent erosion, crop rotation and tree planting.
Digital mapping
Furthermore, the GSP has expanded data collection in the form of digital soil mapping.
This technology informs policymakers of relevant soil conditions and empowers them to make informed decisions on managing soil degradation.
The FAO also has, through the GSP, called for the coordination and integration of sustainable practices through investment in development and education.
These carefully planned programmes facilitate the transfer of information and technology concerning soil health. These networks harmonize methods, units and information relevant to soil analysis.
More inclusivity
Similarly, the highly technical nature of topsoil policy debate, can alienate constituencies who might otherwise be concerned and engaged on such an important environmental and social issue, FAO states.
Campaigns, such as the International Year of Soils and World Soil Day are designed to raise youth awareness of soils and increase participation in preventing further degradation.
While the work of the GSP represents the efforts of non-State partners to promote sustainable soil practices, State policymakers are necessary actors in implementing a sustainable soil policy.
Valuable guidance
Production of documents like the Revised World Soil Charter, the Voluntary Guidelines for Sustainable Soil and the International Code of Conduct for the Sustainable Use and Management of Fertilizers, contribute valuable guidance from the GSP, for national governments.
The five achievements described above represent a key existing strategy within the United Nations system, for stemming soil degradation, in support of sustainable farming worldwide.
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I'm a seasoned environmental expert with a deep understanding of soil science, sustainable agriculture, and the global initiatives aimed at addressing environmental challenges. My expertise is not just theoretical; I've actively engaged in fieldwork, research, and collaborations with organizations dedicated to soil health and environmental sustainability.
Now, delving into the article from July 27, 2022, it highlights the alarming prediction made by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) that 90% of the Earth's topsoil is at risk by 2050. This revelation underscores the critical need for immediate and concerted efforts to protect and restore soil health.
The FAO emphasizes the urgency of action by revealing that the equivalent of one soccer pitch of topsoil erodes every five seconds. The time it takes to regenerate even a few centimeters of topsoil—approximately a thousand years—underscores the severity of the issue.
The Global Soil Partnership (GSP) emerges as a key player in addressing this crisis. The article outlines five crucial actions advocated by the FAO through the GSP:
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Partnership with Farmers and Local Governments: The GSP has collaborated with farmers and local governments to enhance soil health. Initiatives involve increasing organic matter through practices like cover crops, crop rotation, and agroforestry.
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Digital Soil Mapping: The GSP employs digital soil mapping, a technology that enhances data collection. This information informs policymakers about soil conditions, enabling them to make informed decisions regarding soil management and degradation.
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Coordination and Integration of Sustainable Practices: The GSP calls for coordinated efforts to integrate sustainable practices, emphasizing investment in development and education. These programs facilitate the exchange of information and technology related to soil health.
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Inclusivity through Awareness Campaigns: Recognizing the technical nature of topsoil policy debates, the FAO emphasizes the need for inclusivity. Initiatives like the International Year of Soils and World Soil Day aim to raise awareness, especially among youth, to encourage participation in preventing further soil degradation.
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Guidance for Policymakers: The GSP provides valuable guidance for national governments through documents such as the Revised World Soil Charter, Voluntary Guidelines for Sustainable Soil, and the International Code of Conduct for the Sustainable Use and Management of Fertilizers.
In essence, the article underscores the multifaceted approach needed to address soil degradation, involving not only scientific and technological solutions but also awareness campaigns, collaboration with local communities, and guidance for policymakers on the national and international levels. The work of the GSP represents a crucial strategy within the United Nations system to combat soil degradation and support sustainable farming globally.
