Photo by Gabriel Jimenez on Unsplash
Ease Rating: Medium
5 - ~80% target progress (2,000+ kg CO2e)
4 - ~60% (1,000 - 2,000 kg CO2e)
3 - ~20% (500 - 1,000 kg CO2e)
2 - ~10% (100 - 500 kg CO2e)
1 - <10% (<100 kg CO2e)
0 - <1% (<30 kg CO2e)
No. of People Influenced Beyond You: tens of people
Amount of Savings: n/a
Impacts: 🦋 Boost Biodiversity
Categories: Advocacy & Choice
Description
Soil organisms play a crucial role in soil carbon sequestration, which captures carbon from the atmosphere and stores it in the soil for hundreds of years. Soil is also one of the main reservoirs of biodiversity in the world. These organisms also provide other important benefits, including food production, improved human health, and water purification. There is an amazing dance going on below our feet!
These tiny organisms are literally out of sight and usually out of mind. Soil organisms correspond to 25% of the world’s biodiversity. However, it is estimated that only 1% of soil microorganisms species are currently known.
Healthy soil needs a healthy environment. Given the best raw materials and working conditions, the soil will function at full capacity, delivering a streamlined service and sustaining life above ground. But soil biodiversity will be impaired if it is deprived of what it needs — often because of humans — and its ability to work will falter.
Unfortunately, certain farming practices, gardening approaches, new construction, and manufacturing pollutant dumping are upsetting life underground. This impacts life above ground through the plants we eat and use to beautify our world. If it goes too far, the ultimate result is desertification.
Understanding the issue, talking about it with others, doing what you can in your area, and supporting organizations focused on this issue are great ways to support soil biodiversity and our prosperity.
Tips
• Soil Biodiversity: Contributions and Threats• State of Knowledge of Soil Biodiversity
• Keep soil alive, protect soil biodiversity (5 minute video) 2) Talking about it with others. Talking about an issue can be very impactful. It helps to draw attention to the cause and consequently, more people can become aware of the problem. As you learn more you will have more and more confidence to talk about it! 3) Support organizations doing this work. It is helpful to support initiatives that are currently in place, to expand their reach and impact. You can do that by sharing their work, becoming a volunteer, or making a financial contribution. Here are a few good ones to consider:
• Chloride Free Foundation
• Soil Food Web School
• Global Soil Biodiversity Initiative Also, if you want to go deeper, research options in your area to get involved locally!