The crucial reason we need more trees
Trees play a critical role in maintaining air quality and supporting wildlife, but they are also vital for the health of the soil, which is an increasingly threatened resource according to yogi Sadhguru.
Soil is abundant on Earth, and most people encounter it daily, whether in gardens or around trees in urban areas. However, some experts are raising alarms about "soil extinction" and advocate for greater awareness of this issue alongside tree conservation.
Topsoil, which is the uppermost 12-24 centimeters of soil, is rich in organic matter and microorganisms. It supports 95% of our food production. Without topsoil, feeding the global population could become a significant challenge.
A single teaspoon of topsoil contains more microbes than there are people on Earth. Unfortunately, creating topsoil is a slow process, taking about 1,000 years to form just 3 centimeters, as noted by Maria Helena Semedo, Deputy Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization.
Given experts' predictions that quality soil might only last another 80-100 years due to factors like climate change, this situation is alarming.
Degraded soil reduces the nutritional value of our food. When soil lacks microbes, it can become dry and sandy, making it hard to grow crops.
The World Resources Institute points out that degraded soil, especially in dry regions of Africa, could impact a quarter of the world’s cropland. Restoring soil health is crucial for sustainably feeding future generations.
This is why Sadhguru, a yogi and visionary, launched the Save Soil movement to unite people in support of Earth’s health. He has garnered support from well-known figures like Deepak Chopra, Dr. Jane Goodall, and the Dalai Lama.
His main aim is to persuade world leaders to increase the organic content of our soil by 3-6%. So dedicated to this cause, Sadhguru undertook a 100-day journey covering 30,000 kilometers from the UK to India, engaging citizens and officials to spread awareness.
The risk extends beyond food security. Advocates like Sadhguru emphasize the environmental stakes. Nutrient-rich soil can store up to 90% of its weight in water and release it gradually, which is crucial in areas prone to drought.
Conversely, depleted soil can lead to water scarcity and flooding because it cannot manage water flow effectively.
Climate change affects the quality of topsoil, but poor soil also contributes to climate change. Soil holds three times more carbon than living plants and twice the amount present in the atmosphere.
Failure to revitalize the world's soil could release 850 billion tons of carbon dioxide, surpassing all human emissions from the last 30 years combined.