Be The Solution to Stop Soil Pollution

Every year, World Soil Day is celebrated on December 5th, and this year the focus is raising awareness for the problem of soil pollution. Although healthy soil is able to filter contaminants naturally and capture carbon dioxide in the atmosphere to help mitigate climate change, its capacity can be depleted due to degradation and excess pollutants. Chemical fertilizers and pesticides in conventional farming, industrial activities, mining, untreated waste and other non-environmentally friendly practices are the major sources of soil pollution.

This year, the international community recognizes the risk of soil pollution and its connection between soil and issues such as food security, water and land management, sustainable consumption and production, and climate change in the Sustainable Development Goals. The Campaign “Be the Solution to Stop Climate Change” encourages the world to #stopsoilpollution if we are to achieve sustainable development.

According to FAO, 95% of our food comes from the soil and already one third of our soil is degraded. Each of us can help to reduce soil pollution by eating food grown without the use of harmful chemicals that pollute the soil. We can contribute to rebuilding soil health by letting Nature be our guide. Healthy, natural soil has the potential to support biodiversity and organic matter, increase fertility and water-holding capacity, and curb climate change. The benefits of reducing soil pollution are numerous, so it’s time to get our hands a little dirty.

To learn more on how to #StopSoilPollution visit the UN page here: https://bit.ly/1Q69aqt