World Environmental Health Day: The Vital Role of Soil Health

Each year, World Environmental Health Day reminds us of the intricate link between the environment and human well-being. This year, by focusing on soil health, we explore why soil health is critical to maintaining the health of the environment and, in turn, our own health.

While soil may seem like a simple layer of earth beneath our feet, it is actually the foundation of all life on Earth. Without healthy soil, ecosystems collapse, food production declines and natural cycles are disrupted. The state of our soils is directly linked to the health of the environment, making it one of the most critical elements to consider when looking at the health of the global environment.

What is Soil Health and Why Does It Matter?

You may already know that soil health is the ability of soil to function as a living ecosystem that supports plants, animals and humans. Healthy soil supports nutrient cycling, water regulation and biodiversity. But today, many soils are threatened by erosion, pollution and unsustainable agricultural practices.

Without healthy soils, our ability to grow food, filter water and combat climate change is severely compromised. In essence, soil health is a strong indicator of the overall health of the environment.

The Connection Between Soil and Environmental Health

Soil acts as the earth’s filtration system, purifying water, absorbing carbon and breaking down pollutants. It is also a key player in the global carbon cycle, with the potential to store more carbon than the atmosphere itself. However, degraded soils lose this capacity, releasing carbon into the atmosphere and contributing to climate change.

In addition, soil degradation has a ripple effect: it leads to biodiversity loss, threatens food security and can cause desertification of once fertile land. On World Environment and Health Day, it is important to recognise that when our soils suffer, the health of the whole planet suffers.

Why Is Soil Health Important for Human Well-Being?

We often think of air and water quality as the cornerstones of environmental health, but soil plays an equally important role in human well-being. Healthy soil ensures that the crops we grow are nutritious and provide us with the vitamins and minerals we need to stay healthy. Conversely, when soils are depleted, so are the nutrients in our food.

In addition, soil contamination – often caused by industrial waste, agricultural run-off and plastic pollution – can lead to the uptake of harmful substances by crops, with a direct impact on human health. Heavy metals and chemicals can enter the food chain, posing a risk to public health.

Soil and Global Food Security

Our ability to feed the world’s population depends on the health of the soil. More than 95% of the food we eat is grown on land, and as the population continues to grow, the pressure on our soils is increasing. Degraded soils yield less, making it harder to meet the demands of global food production. The United Nations warns that if we do not change our soil management practices, we could face severe food shortages in the near future.

Maintaining healthy soils is therefore not only about protecting the environment, but also about ensuring that future generations have enough to eat.

The Threats to Soil Health

The pressure on soil is immense. Human activities, particularly unsustainable agricultural and industrial practices, are contributing to widespread soil degradation. And if you’ve been following the NOVASOIL project blog, you’ll know that some of the biggest threats to soil health are

• Erosion: Caused by deforestation, overgrazing and poor farming techniques, erosion strips the soil of its fertile topsoil, reducing its ability to support plant life.
• Pollution: Excessive use of pesticides, herbicides and synthetic fertilisers introduces harmful chemicals into the soil, altering its natural composition and damaging the micro-organisms that keep it healthy.
• Loss of organic matter: Organic matter is essential for holding water and nutrients in the soil. Without it, soils become infertile and unproductive.

On this World Environmental Health Day, it is important to raise awareness of these threats and encourage practices that protect and restore soil health.

How Can We Improve Soil Health?

But… there is always hope. Through sustainable practices, we can restore degraded soils and protect healthy ones. Regenerative agriculture is an approach that aims to restore soil health through practices such as crop rotation, reduced tillage and cover crops. These techniques help rebuild soil organic matter, promote biodiversity and reduce the need for chemical inputs.

Other key measures include:

• Agroforestry: Integrating trees into agricultural landscapes helps prevent soil erosion, retain moisture and increase biodiversity.
• Composting: Organic waste can be composted, enriching the soil and reducing the need for synthetic fertilisers.
• Conservation tillage: By minimising soil disturbance, conservation tillage helps maintain soil structure and organic matter.

Policies and Global Efforts to Protect Soil Health

Governments and international organisations are also recognising the importance of soil health. The United Nations has declared 2015-2024 the Decade of Soils, focusing on sustainable soil management practices. In addition, the EU’s Green Pact includes targets to improve soil health across Europe, while the FAO’s Global Soil Partnership aims to promote sustainable soil management worldwide.

On this World Environment Health Day, it is clear that protecting the health of our soils requires a coordinated global effort.