Cada July 7 is commemorated as the International Soil Conservation Day, a day that aims to highlight the importance of one of the most fundamental resources for life on Earth.
Soil is not just dirt: it is the support of ecosystems, the largest terrestrial reservoir of organic carbon, and the habitat of millions of organisms that make plant and animal life possible.
According to the FAO, more than 33% of soils globally show some degree of degradation, due to erosion, deforestation, and intensive agricultural practices.
In Latin America, the situation is critical: the expansion of industrial agriculture, especially that aimed at producing animal protein and soy for livestock feed, is among the main causes of soil degradation and loss of soil biodiversity.
An Intersectional View on the Soil Crisis
Soil degradation does not affect all people or ecosystems equally. It is rural communities, indigenous peoples, and territories with less resilience capacity that bear the most severe consequences of a production model that prioritizes yield over sustainability.
Everyday consumption decisions have a direct impact on soil health:
- Industrial animal production: requires large areas for grazing and cultivation of animal feed.
- Compaction and contamination: soil degrades, aquifers become contaminated, and greenhouse gas emissions increase.
- Loss of biodiversity: pressure on territories reduces natural regeneration capacity.
As Jesica Bon Denis, director of Animal Interseccional, pointed out:
“Talking about soil conservation is also talking about what we decide to put on our plate each day. Individual choices, combined with public policies, have the power to transform the system.”
Everyday Decisions with Collective Impact
The invitation on this day is to reflect on the role that each daily action has on the health of soils and ecosystems. Some concrete measures include:
- Reduce consumption of animal products: decreases pressure on territories dedicated to grazing and monocultures.
- Choose local and seasonal products: strengthens regional economies and reduces environmental footprint.
- Demand sustainable labeling and production policies: ensures transparency and promotes responsible practices.
- Promote agroecology and regenerative systems: models that return nutrients to the soil and respect biodiversity.
Soil as a Common Heritage
Soil is a non-renewable resource on a human scale. Its degradation advances faster than it can regenerate, making it a common heritage that must be protected. Soil conservation is directly linked to food security, climate change mitigation, and the survival of millions of species.
International Soil Conservation Day reminds us that this resource is the foundation of life and that its care depends both on public policies and our daily decisions.
Latin America, with its enormous natural wealth, faces the challenge of transforming its production models towards sustainable alternatives that ensure the well-being of communities and the resilience of ecosystems.
