Happy Earth Day! As we celebrate Mother Earth, I invite you to do your part, as I am doing mine, to take care of this wonderful sphere of life.
Did you know that in the days of your great-grandmother, one orange provided the same amount of nutrition as eight oranges today? This startling fact highlights a larger crisis that we face today: soil degradation. As we celebrate Earth Day, I want to shed light on the Save Soil movement and its crucial mission. Let me share my journey with the movement and how it has transformed my perspective on the health of our planet.
The Save Soil Movement, led by spiritual leader and founder of Isha Foundation, Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev, emphasizes the essential role of healthy soil in producing nutritious food, supporting biodiversity, and storing carbon. Sadly, unsustainable farming, deforestation, and other harmful practices have devastated our soils. The movement aims to reverse this trend by promoting regenerative agriculture and other sustainable practices that positively impact food security and combat climate change.
Soil degradation is defined as the decline in soil quality due to physical, chemical, and biological changes. According to a 2022 United Nations report, approximately 40% of soils worldwide are moderately to severely degraded. If damaging practices persist, this number could rise to an astounding 90% by 2050.
The consequences of soil degradation are severe, including reduced nutritional value and water scarcity, affecting millions of people and endangering countless species. Without immediate intervention, food production could plummet by 40% in the next 20 years, making it difficult to feed a global population of 9.3 billion. Currently, 2 billion people suffer from nutrient deficiencies, leading to health issues. Alongside this, habitat loss threatens around 27,000 species with extinction each year, which is a major disruption to the surrounding ecosystems.
To better understand the urgency of preserving soil, let’s examine what makes it healthy. Healthy soil teems with life and contains a rich organic content known as humus, which should ideally comprise 3-6% of the soil. This includes leaf litter, microorganisms, and other plant and animal materials, which retains moisture and nutrients, supports plant growth, and maintains soil structure. Humus fosters a lively environment for earthworms, bacteria, and fungi that cycle nutrients and sustain soil vitality.
As a student of Isha Home School, founded by Sadhguru, I’ve been actively engaged in promoting the Save Soil movement. My journey began by running a 5-kilometer marathon in Coimbatore, wearing bright green Save Soil t-shirts that inspired many to unite for the cause.
We explored permaculture by working on an unused plot within the school grounds, learning to integrate human and natural systems for sustainable ecosystems. Visiting local farms to share information about permaculture and Save Soil, and even harvesting potatoes, strengthening our connection to the land.
Writing letters to the Prime Minister advocating for the cause and handing out stickers in city parking lots helped raise awareness. Planting saplings in school was another frequent activity that became more exciting as grades competed to plant the most. Through these experiences, I’ve grown as an advocate for the Save Soil movement and recognized the importance of taking immediate action.
Climate change has become a central focus of political policy worldwide, with governments enacting laws and international agreements to combat its effects. For instance, the Paris Agreement aims to limit global warming and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Amid these efforts, revitalizing the world’s soil is essential. If we fail to act, global soils could release an astonishing 850 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere — more than the total emissions of the past 30 years combined.
As we strive to address climate change, there are meaningful steps we can take at home to prevent soil degradation. Composting enriches the soil with nutrients and organic matter, improving its structure and water retention. Planting native plants supports soil biodiversity and local ecosystems while also conserving water. Rainwater harvesting conserves and prevents runoff, protecting soil from erosion. Simple practices such as these help preserve the health of the soil, promoting sustainable living and supporting the fight against climate change.
My experiences and learnings from the Save Soil movement have shown me the critical importance of healthy soil for our planet’s health and future generations. I have realized that by fixing the soil, we have the best chance of fixing the whole. Helping the earth has been a fulfilling journey for me and I hope it can be for you too. On this Earth Day, I encourage you to join me in taking action and raising awareness and taking action to protect our soil. Together, we can inspire others to join the cause and create a sustainable world. Let’s act now to protect our future for generations to come.
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