How much do you think about soil?
I'm willing to bet...not much. Even in all our heated discussions of climate change and the future of the planet, the soil beneath our feet doesn't often take center stage - or even garner much of a mention.
Yet the health of our soil is actually a hugely important aspect of the health of the planet. The current destruction of our soil by large-scale, unsustainable agricultural practices is an often-overlooked element of climate change - and it also provides one of the greatest opportunities that we currently have to combat or reverse the destructive warming of the planet.
This interesting video discusses some of the challenges and opportunities facing us when it comes to regenerating our soil and turning the way we eat into a positive for the planet rather than a negative. (And no, this doesn't mean going vegan.)
I'm willing to bet...not much. Even in all our heated discussions of climate change and the future of the planet, the soil beneath our feet doesn't often take center stage - or even garner much of a mention.
Yet the health of our soil is actually a hugely important aspect of the health of the planet. The current destruction of our soil by large-scale, unsustainable agricultural practices is an often-overlooked element of climate change - and it also provides one of the greatest opportunities that we currently have to combat or reverse the destructive warming of the planet.
This interesting video discusses some of the challenges and opportunities facing us when it comes to regenerating our soil and turning the way we eat into a positive for the planet rather than a negative. (And no, this doesn't mean going vegan.)
As the video below explores, "Soil is the most important answer to climate change, and also one of the most underappreciated."
Obviously, soil itself is where ALL of our food ultimately comes from. Yet our soil is being depleted at an alarming rate. If we don't do something about it soon, the human race is in big trouble - and that's not an exaggeration. A 2016 report from the Office of Science & Technology Policy projected that our topsoil will be completely gone by the end of this century, unless we make some drastic changes in how we are treating our soil and growing our food.
But it's not just about soil depletion. Soil is one of the best ways to store carbon in a beneficial way to help support life on earth. The loss of soil means that (literally) tons of carbon are being released into the atmosphere on a continual basis, and it's a bit shocking to me that almost no one is discussing this aspect of climate change and addressing soil health as part of the solution...
However, if we start taking steps now to address this issue, there is still hope for both our future as a species, and for the planet!
Obviously, soil itself is where ALL of our food ultimately comes from. Yet our soil is being depleted at an alarming rate. If we don't do something about it soon, the human race is in big trouble - and that's not an exaggeration. A 2016 report from the Office of Science & Technology Policy projected that our topsoil will be completely gone by the end of this century, unless we make some drastic changes in how we are treating our soil and growing our food.
But it's not just about soil depletion. Soil is one of the best ways to store carbon in a beneficial way to help support life on earth. The loss of soil means that (literally) tons of carbon are being released into the atmosphere on a continual basis, and it's a bit shocking to me that almost no one is discussing this aspect of climate change and addressing soil health as part of the solution...
However, if we start taking steps now to address this issue, there is still hope for both our future as a species, and for the planet!
"What could be more patriotic than making the soil of America great again?"
-- Tom Newmark
Watch the video now to learn more about the problem, as well as an elegantly simple potential solution: regenerative agriculture and responsible food production and consumption:
Here's what you'll learn:
Things are looking dire, but it's not too late!
If we take steps now to change our food system and embrace restorative and regenerative methods of growing our food, "there is still hope for our children and grandchildren to inherit a balanced and beautiful planet with abundant food production."
Rose.
- How we’ve affected the Earth’s various systems to release carbon in the environment (4:25)
- How much soil has been lost and how much soil do we have left worldwide? (10:44)
- How plants create soil (18:39)
- What happens when we pour synthetic fertility into soil (24:17)
- How regenerative farming can bring carbon down back into the soil (35:10)
- Do we need to adopt a vegan or plant-based diet to save the planet? (43:55)
- The time it takes to grow a centimeter of topsoil (52:19 )
- Why supporting regenerative agriculture is in the economic interest of big industry (56:20)
- What the average person can do support regenerative agriculture (1:03:35)
- Our aging farmer population and the role of farmers in the climate movement (1:11:32)
Things are looking dire, but it's not too late!
If we take steps now to change our food system and embrace restorative and regenerative methods of growing our food, "there is still hope for our children and grandchildren to inherit a balanced and beautiful planet with abundant food production."
Rose.
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