As representatives from across the globe gather in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), soil health is emerging as a critical issue. Negotiators are focusing on commitments to combat soil degradation and achieve land degradation neutrality by 2030.
“Soil degradation impacts food security, water systems, biodiversity, and climate resilience,” stated Bruno Pozzi, Deputy Director of the Ecosystems Division at UNEP. Tackling this issue, he said, is key to creating a sustainable future for millions.
Five Major Threats to Soil Health and Their Solutions
1.Drought
Impact: A third of the global population lives in water-scarce regions. Degraded land loses its ability to retain water, leading to vegetation loss, drought, and soil erosion.
Solutions: Water management practices, such as drip irrigation and rainwater harvesting, alongside ecosystem restoration, can improve soil moisture and combat drought.
2.Land Degradation
Impact: Over 70% of Earth’s land has been altered by human activity, leading to diminished fertility, reduced crop yields, and ecosystem collapse.
Solutions: Adding compost, improving irrigation, and adopting conservation agriculture practices, like mulching and crop rotation, can restore degraded soils.
3.Industrial Farming
Impact: Monocropping, heavy machinery, and excessive chemical use deplete soil nutrients and biodiversity while contributing to 22% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
Solutions: Sustainable practices such as zero-tillage, crop diversification, and integrating trees and shrubs into farming systems (e.g., Africa’s “forest garden” model) can enhance soil health and boost productivity.
4.Chemicals and Pollution
Impact: Pollutants, including fertilizers, pesticides, and heavy metals, disrupt soil ecosystems and harm plant, animal, and human health.
Solutions: Minimizing chemical use, transitioning to organic farming, and managing waste more effectively can rejuvenate polluted soils.
5.Diet and Nutrition
Impact: Diets focused on staple crops or animal products drive monoculture farming and overgrazing, worsening soil compaction and erosion.
Solutions: Promoting diverse, plant-based diets can reduce pressure on land and promote sustainable farming practices.
The UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030) aims to prevent, halt, and reverse ecosystem degradation. Spearheaded by UNEP and FAO, this initiative seeks to revive billions of hectares of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. It combines scientific research, political commitment, and financial resources to scale up restoration efforts globally.
As COP16 discussions unfold, the spotlight on soil health underscores its critical role in sustaining life, ensuring food security, and combating climate change. Addressing soil degradation is not just about preserving ecosystems—it’s about securing the planet’s future.
