The Farmers Mart Oct/Nov 2013 - Issue 30 | Page 21

ARABLE

Protect soils to guarantee
future of mankind
Why is soil not protected
in the same way as air and
water? And why does it
not receive the attention
and respect that is given
to our iconic plants and
animals?
It is becoming increasingly
apparent that the world’s
soils are crucial to our
future: to feed an increasing
population, to help store
carbon that otherwise might
leak out into the atmosphere
and to maintain vital water
reserves. Should our soil
be used to produce food or
fuel?
These issues were central to
the European Network on Soil
Awareness 2013 conference
held in September, hosted by
the James Hutton Institute.

Willie Towers, soil scientist
at the Institute and one of the
conference organisers, said:
“Soil scientists have tried
for many years to convince
society at large, including our
politicians, that soil is one of
our vital national resources.
This conference described
initiatives from around the
world to help raise awareness
of soils often using novel and
imaginative techniques.”
Professor Anne Glover,
Chief Scientific Adviser to the
President of the European
Commission, highlighted the
role played by soils in the
support of life on our planet
and in the global climate
system, as well in the provision
of ecosystem services.
She also reviewed current

thinking on soils
from a European
perspective,
including how the
EU can contribute
to meet a goal
of zero net soil
degradation.
Professor Glover
said: “Soil is a finite
resource. It plays a key role in
the supply of food, water and
in our climate. We need to
raise awareness of the value
of soil and protect it for the
future.”
Ronald Vargas from the
FAO outlined education and
awareness activities of the
Global Soil Partnership, to
which over 100 countries
have endorsed. Issues of
international governance of

soils were highlighted by
Dr Helaina Black from the
James Hutton Institute and
also UK representative on the
Intergovernmental Panel on
Soils.
Delegates also heard about
different approaches in
communicating the use and
value of soils to society from
educational materials for school
children to farmer-friendly DVDs
and distinctive soil art.

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FarmersMart Oct/Nov 2013

21