Healthy Soil: A Foundation for Sustainable Development and Security

• In Event: Multiple Dimensions of Human Security

Abstract

Healthy soil is an essential foundation of economies, environment, and society, however, is rapidly depleted. When soil functions are compromised, it poses significant threat to local communities, and international stability; for those reasons soil protections must be prioritized in international agreements. Healthy soils are required to meet sustainable development and maintain international peace and security. This paper explores the role of healthy soil in ensuring future human security and proposes key policy recommendations to implement soil mitigation strategies.

Well managed soils provide numerous benefits, including increase resilience to climate change, decrease severity of natural disasters, produce food, and improve water quality and access. This paper examines the major drivers of climate and anthropogenic soil degradation, and the consequential impacts of those degraded soils. Multiple human securities are compromised by unhealthy soil including water security, food security, economic security, and health security. Effective soil management strategies are urgently needed, this is best achieved through a comprehensive standalone strategy. Proposed recommendations include integrating soil mitigation strategies in existing international agreements and forums; establish a comprehensive monitoring system and set global standards of soil health; secure and mobilize funding; develop and mobilize mitigation strategies; and the US administration should incorporate soil mitigation practices domestically. These proposed recommendations work simultaneously through implementing preventative adaptation measures, coordination, and building upon previous international frameworks. Healthy soil is a vital life supporting system for humankind, unhealthy soil is an active threat to future security; adequate soil adaptation measures must be implemented to address this need.

Author

• Teresa L. Crooks, Public Policy Master's Student- Northeastern University