From Awareness to Action: All You Need to Know About the Save Soil Movement Initiated by Sadhguru
Last updated on December 10th, 2024 at 12:16 pm
Soil, the most important factor required for plant growth, literally as well as metaphorically, forms the basis of agriculture and the foundation on which life thrives.
Soil quality determines the type and quality of crops that grow in it, as it provides plants with all the essential nutrients necessary for their healthy growth. The nature of the soil has a direct impact on the health of the plants it nurtures. Ironically though, soil health, soil conservation and preservation of soil are some of the most neglected aspects in agriculture and environmental safety at large. While most ‘save the environment’ campaigns are about measures to prevent air and water pollution, methods to reduce global warming and carbon footprint, and actions to increase tree plantation to combat environmental degradation, there is relatively less talk and action about maintaining soil health and preventing soil pollution.
Introduction to Save Soil Movement
Save Soil is a global movement initiated by Sadhguru to prevent soil extinction and advocate for the policies needed to tackle this critical issue threatening humanity. ‘Save Soil’ is a powerful initiative aimed at restoring soil quality by uniting people worldwide to raise awareness about the critical importance of maintaining healthy soil. This movement seeks to influence policymakers to take necessary actions that will promote sustainable soil management. Through this initiative, Sadhguru is addressing the soil crisis on a global scale, highlighting the urgent need for action to protect and restore our soil.
Eye-Opening Facts About Soil Health That Will Shock You
- The lack of organic content in soil converts it to sand and can lead to food crisis as low-quality soil leads to degraded nutritional value of food growing from it.
- Soil depletion results in lesser quantity of food, thus leading to insufficiency to feed today’s growing population.
- Soil that lacks or has less organic matter cannot hold water, and less or no water retention leads to scarcity of water.
- The carbon stored in soil is 3 times more than that in plants and 2 times more than that in the atmosphere.
- This means soil is important for carbon sequestration. If soil is not revitalized, it could release 850 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
- Some other long-term effects of soil degradation include loss of life, conflict between communities or nations, and migration.
- Loss of life because soil depletion has led to many farmers committing suicide, and conflict and migration because population growth and insufficiency of food cause migration of large populations.
- Additionally, rising food prices caused by soil degradation have led to major protests and conflicts between countries.
What can we do about it?
To address the serious issue of soil depletion, 3-6% organic matter needs to be restored in the soil by increasing vegetation and adding plant and animal waste. Sadhguru and the Isha foundation team developed a practical strategy to improve soil quality, which he presented at the UNCCD COP 15. The plan includes providing incentives to farmers for increasing organic matter in the soil, offering access to carbon credits, and prioritizing the marketing of crops grown in soil with higher organic content.
Sadhguru and his team, dedicated to soil conservation, believe that policies must be implemented worldwide to ensure soil health. For these policies to be successfully formulated and carried out, the support of the people is crucial, and this support can only be gained by raising awareness about the importance of soil.
To spread this message, Sadhguru embarked on a 100-day motorcycle journey with the goal of reaching 4 billion people across various countries. The Save Soil movement began on March 21, 2022, with Sadhguru’s 100-day, solo riding motorcycle journey starting in London and concluding in June 2022 at the Cauvery river basin. He crossed 27 countries and covered 30,000 km, this journey made a significant impact globally.
The Global Impact of Save Soil Movement
- This inspiring journey for a critical environmental cause, featured 691 events and interviews by Sadhguru, led to 8970 media stories and resulted in gathering huge support from people from varied sectors and age groups.
- In 2022, on World Soil Day (December 5), Save Soil hosted a Digital Experts Roundtable to discuss urgent questions about revitalizing soil, in which 155 soil experts from 31 countries, and Sadhguru participated in the event.
- 3 million children wrote to their national leaders about saving soil.
- 1150 corporate organizations expressed their support towards the Save Soil movement.
- At the UN Climate Summit, Save Soil was discussed in the G20 Global Land Initiative Panel where panellists said that this movement has the potential to reduce land degradation by 50% by 2040.
- USA has allocated 8 billion dollars to make their farm soils environmentally friendly.
- The Government of Guyana decided to allocate 100 sq. kms land and collaborate with the Save Soil team to work with farmers towards increasing organic matter in soil.
- Nepal’s Ministry of Environment and Agriculture expressed support to the movement and pledged to plant 30,000 trees.
- China has prepared itself to start their very first national soil survey in 40 years.
- Slovakia has declared a reward for farmers for soil-related environmentally friendly practices.
- 81 countries started working towards formulating soil policies and important organizations like IUCN, Commonwealth of Nations, and UN World Food Programme, among others have appreciated the efforts of Sadhguru; and extended support towards the Save Soil movement.
- 150 North-American cities declared March 21 as the Save Soil Day.
- Famous people that include political figures, environment experts, social leaders and celebrities have lauded the Save Soil initiative and urged the masses to join the movement in their own ways.
Save Soil Movement and Sadhguru At the COP29
The Save Soil mission reached a major milestone with Sadhguru’s 100-day motorcycle journey, which inspired millions to take action for soil conservation. Yet, Sadhguru’s commitment didn’t stop there. Despite doctors advising against travel for health reasons, his determination to continue the mission remains unwavering. He attended the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), held from November 11 to 22, 2024, in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Sadhguru received a warm welcome at the event, with the media eager to hear his insights on soil health and environmental safety. He emphasized that preserving soil quality is a promising solution to overcome ecological challenges and conserve all life on Earth. On day 2 of COP29, Sadhguru continued to engage with attendees, reinforcing the critical importance of soil health in addressing environmental issues.
At the conference, Sadhguru emphasized the vital connection between soil health and climate change, stressing that soil degradation is an urgent issue that requires immediate attention. He pointed out that healthy soil leads to better plantations, and every tree planted—and every leaf added—is a meaningful contribution to combating climate change. His participation in COP29 was a significant step forward in the global effort to restore soil health.
On day 3, he spoke at the launch of the book Azerbaijan – Inspired by Nature. He spoke about how healthy soil can help fight climate change and how adding organic matter to soil can help in revitalizing it. He said that there is a marked decline in the food’s nutritional value due to degrading soil health and underlined the urgency of taking steps towards saving soil. He emphasized the link between soil health, human health and mental well-being and appealed Azerbaijan to lead Central Asia in soil revitalization.
On the fourth day of COP29, Sadhguru met many dignitaries, gave a telephonic interview to Forbes. Across the day, he spoke about the importance of increasing organic matter in soil to improve its quality. He spoke about the necessity of formulating policies for soil revitalization to ensure that organic content in agricultural soil is replenished through adequate measures, preventing its depletion. He called soil a legacy that we should leave behind for the future generations. He further said that ecological solutions should have economic advantages, if they have to be sustainable.
Thus, Sadhguru’s presence at the COP29 has highlighted the importance of saving soil and proven to be of great help in raising awareness about soil conservation. That he attended the event despite his health speaks volumes of his dedication and sincerity towards serving society.
Sadhguru is undoubtedly a highly revered spiritual guru, but when he gets into the shoes of an environmentalist, he is equally awe-inspiring. May his relentless effort towards environmental conservation bear fruit, and may his work motivate millions to act towards his mission to save soil, and thus save the Earth and safeguard life.
Important References
Sadhguru & his environmental initiatives
The Save Soil Movement unites governments, UN agencies, global leaders, organizations, scientists, corporates, and citizens to combat Soil Extinction. Let’s ensure a planet that nurtures life and provides nutritious food for future generations. Learn more about it on this website: Conscious Planet
Your voice has the power to create change. Use this page to find everything you need to write to your country’s leaders and advocate for saving soil, ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come. Write a letter.
Sadhguru Video on Save Soil