At the ongoing COP16 in Riyadh, marking 30 years of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), the significance of soil has been a central focus in addressing land degradation. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), approximately 3.83 billion people depend on agri-food systems that rely heavily on healthy soil to sustain production. Alarmingly, 1.2 billion people worldwide are currently affected by degraded land and the numbers are deemed to continue rising.
Without healthy soil, there can be no food security, nutrition, biodiversity, or clean water. On World Soil Day, global attention is drawn to the fact that soil is more than just dirt; it is life itself, as 95% of the world’s food originates from it.
UNCCD Executive Secretary Ibrahim Thiaw emphasized the interconnectedness of soil, land, and food loss, stating, “Healthy food is our best pharmacy.” This highlights the critical role of soil restoration, not just for the planet but for people, as it forms the foundation of everything we grow and consume to sustain healthy lives. As the forums in UNCCD are ongoing, it is anticipated that a way forward in addressing the land degradation issues can be attained and implemented to safeguard most affected communities.
Thailand’s recent achievement in winning the Glinka World Soil Prize reflects the importance of promoting soil health. H.E. Evgeny Tomikhin, Russian Ambassador to Thailand, praised the Thai Land Development Department for its sustainable management and conservation efforts, adding, “Congratulations to Thailand for this well-deserved recognition on World Soil Day.”
The Multifaceted Role of Soil
Soils support not only humans but also wildlife and diverse ecosystems. It hosts nearly 59% of the planet’s species, which contributes to its aeration and fertility. However, contamination and degradation harm these microorganisms, leading to reduced biodiversity and diminished plant growth potential.
Moreover, soils play a critical role in mitigating climate change. Acting as the planet’s largest terrestrial carbon sink, it absorbs significant greenhouse gas emissions, helping reduce the impacts of climate change.
Healthy soils are instrumental when it comes to attaining food security. Rich, fertile soils produce higher crop yields with better nutritional content, supporting human health and biodiversity while combating malnutrition. Additionally, soils naturally filter and store water, ensuring safe consumption for humans and wildlife. Organic matter in soil can retain up to 20 times its weight in water while trapping pollutants before they reach groundwater.
Alarming Facts About Soil Degradation
- Topsoil, the nutrient-rich uppermost layer of Earth, is only 5–8 cm deep on average but can take up to 1,000 years to regenerate just 2.5 cm.
- Every year, the world loses 100 million hectares of fertile land—an area roughly twice the size of Greenland.
- Desertification affects over 40 million people in the Sahel region alone, contributing to climate-induced migration.
- A quarter of all deserts are in Latin America, where unsustainable agricultural practices and deforestation are major contributors to land degradation.
Climate change is noted as a catalyst that further exacerbates these challenges by intensifying droughts, hurricanes, and floods, further degrading soil and threatening livelihoods.
Thus, as the world grapples with the effects of land degradation, investing in soil restoration and sustainable land management is crucial. Protecting this invaluable resource will secure food systems, combat climate change, and support biodiversity for generations to come.
