The earth is slowly losing its strength and power to feed and protect us. According to a report by Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), about 60% of the earth’s soils used for food production is already degraded. About one-third of the soil would be degraded if the current climate and management trends continue.
Soil has been stripped off its microbes, minerals and moisture which used to make it fertile. According to FAO, about 1.38 billion hectares of soil is at risk due to salinity. It makes it harder for farmers to grow nutritious food. On the other hand, climate changes like drought, heatwaves and floods are fueling soil degradation. We are headed towards a time where earth might not be able to feed us.
Every lost patch of soil means one less plate of food at a table. It creates more pressure on the economies which are already dealing with poverty. So, it is not just an environmental crisis. The United Nations has warned that if the degradation continues, 90% of the topsoil of the world would be at risk by 2025.
A drought in one country can cause food price inflation in other countries as well. When harvest fails people are often forced to migrate to other places for better lifestyle. It creates pressure on jobs and resources. From Africa to South Asia, the challenges may seem different but the struggle is same. In the Sahel region of Africa, desertification has made it very hard for farmers to grow staple food like millets.
On the other hand, in South Asia, repeated floods wash away the fertile topsoil which threatens the wheat harvest. No country can face these crisis alone. When one part of the world struggles to grow food, it affects international markets.
The health of soil is interconnected to human and animal health. It is a concept called one health. When soil becomes degraded, it loses its ability to hold nutrients. Crops grown in such soil lacks vitamins and minerals. When humans consume such food, it weakens their immunity. Livestock feeding on such crops also get impacted.
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This reduces the quality of milk, meat and other animal products. It is not an environmental issue but a global health crisis. The United Nation has warned that over 3 billion people live on land that is degraded which makes them vulnerable to food insecurity.
We need international collaboration to deal with this challenge. Countries need to work together and build policies to combat climate change and soil degradation. Governments need to work together to share knowledge, technology and methods of sustainable agriculture. Diplomacy plays a big role in this effort. Trade deals, global research projects and development programs can help countries learn from one another and spread successful ideas around the world.
Organizations like the FAO and UNCCD are already helping by proving support and guidelines. For example, the programs like FAO’s International Network on Soil Erosion is one such effort. It brings together scientists, governments and farmers from around
the world to share knowledge and prevent further land loss. Programs like these are helping countries coordinate for healthier soil everywhere. UNCCD-led projects are helping countries adapt to climate change by promoting practices that protect both soil and food systems. When countries treat soil as shared global priority, they can stop local soil problem from turning into a global crisis. The real progress depends on how seriously countries take action.
Many countries are already working on protecting their soil. They are improving their land by using crop rotation, organic fertilizers and planting more trees to restore soil health. They have incorporated early warning systems so farmers can prepare before floods or drought hit
Despite all of these efforts progress is still slow and uneven. At the same time, most countries focus mainly on their problems instead of building joint solutions. The funds that are often meant to help poor nations get stuck in paperwork or politics. There is very less coordination between health, agriculture and environment departments even in the same country. That is why diplomacy is important. Climate change, soil loss and food insecurity don’t stop at borders, but our responses often do.
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Stronger diplomacy can change that. It allows collaboration and builds trust among governments, scientists and local communities. In simple terms diplomacy can connect all the pieces together and turn small scattered efforts into meaningful global progress.
Governments need to bring one health idea in global talks. The health of humans, animals and environment are all connected. Climate change and soil loss affect our food and in turn our health it is important to include one health approach. So, we protect both nature and people.
Nations should share technology and knowledge fairly. Developing countries face the worst droughts, floods and soil problems but have the least support. Developed countries can help by sharing tools like drought tolerant crops, clean irrigation systems and climate warning systems.
Local communities and farmers must be a part of every food and climate plan. Governments can support community projects and public awareness programs that help people protect their land and adapt to climate change.
In the end, healthy soil and safe food are not just local needs, they are global responsibilities. The world can protect its land, people and environment through stronger diplomacy and cooperation.
*The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of TDI.
Maryam Latif
Maryam Latif is a Microbiology graduate with a keen interest in environmental health, food security, and sustainable development.
