Dirt, soil, call it what you want―it's everywhere we go. It is the root of our existence, supporting our feet, our farms, our cities. This fascinating yet disquieting book finds, however, that we are running out of dirt, and it's no laughing matter. An engaging natural and cultural history of soil that sweeps from ancient civilizations to modern times.
This year's title is "Soil and Water". The one doesn't do well without the other. And humans need definitely both.
Be kind to your soil.
Learn about your soil.
See your soil, feel your soil.
Eat your soil (seriously, if your soil isn't polluted, there are tons of micronutrients and millions of microbes that your gut microbiome will welcome).
Gardening, especially in community, is great: you learn, you chill, you produce fresh, healthy and cheap veggies.
Let us protect the soils. I know, right now there is so much stuff we are treating badly, but the soils have really an astonishing small lobby.
We nee to change the way we produce foods. An #AgroecologicalTransformation will help to mitigate #ClimateChange, improve #Biodiversity, repair the WaterCycle and will make the lives of the ones that come after us much, much easier.
Our lab works on effects of global change on soil; we always explore new factors and their potential consequences for soil processes and soil biodiversity
Today is the World #SoilDay (https://www.un.org/en/observances/world-soil-day) a day to raise awareness of soils and why #soil conservation (from erosion, compaction, salinization, loss of biodiversity, loss of organic carbon) needs to start now.
Within the #AI4SoilHealth project we are building a Soil Health Data Cube and a mobile phone app for pan-EU. Some first data sets will be released in early 2024 as open data.
Permaculture instructor Andrew Millison journeys to Senegal to see a forest garden movement which is contributing to Africa’s Great Green Wall. Andrew accompanies the organization Planet Wild to visit the excellent work of Trees for the Future. This remarkable project holds the promise of combating desertification, providing livelihoods, and nurturing the environment. At its core, this initiative revolves around the creation of lush food forests that transform land into thriving ecosystems.
A Green Oasis, on a Quarter-Acre Plot
At the heart of this initiative lies small quarter-acre plots that encapsulates the project’s essence. These tiny pieces of land can provide everything a family needs, from building materials to food production, habitat, and temperature regulation. It is a microcosm of what is known as a permaculture multi-layered food forest.
Andrew talks about the the ambitious vision of the Great Green Wall of Africa, a colossal project aimed at planting a barrier of trees across the width of the continent, from Senegal to Djibouti. The primary goal is to halt the encroachment of the Sahara Desert. This project has failed in many places because the trees could not be looked after properly, due to the sheer size and scope of the project. These permaculture food forests offer a complementary solution to the problem.
The heart of this initiative lies in a four-year plan that guides the transformation process. It involves stages such as protection, diversification, and optimization, gradually establishing forest gardens that bear fruit.
The article emphasizes the substantial impact of these forest gardens on nutrition and economic stability. These ecosystems provide diverse and stable sources of food, reducing the vulnerability of families to crop failures. The success of this project has led to ambitious plans for expansion. The aim is to replicate this methodology in every district of Senegal and other African countries, turning the tide against desertification.
Andrew concludes by highlighting the collaboration with Planet Wild, a global community dedicated to environmental restoration. They join hands with Trees for the Future to support tree planting in Senegal and elsewhere, showcasing the power of collective action.
In essence, this initiative in Senegal stands as a beacon of hope in the fight against desertification and climate change. Through the creation of forest gardens and collaborative efforts, it not only restores the land but also provides sustainable livelihoods for communities. It’s a testament to the transformative power of nature-based solutions in an ever-changing world.
Watch he full video here
💬 🔜 🌳 Comment on the video to plant a tree! – Planet Wild will plant one extra tree for everyone who leaves a comment on the video before the end of 2023.
Planet Wild is an amazing community that is restoring the Earth through the power of Youtube! I highly recommend to checkout their channel. Their rewilding videos are truly fascinating. They have done a video on this exact same subject here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_SzuUHXP1M
"Forests precede civilizations, deserts follow them."
"Europe's soils are disappearing. 32% of #Spain is either very highly or highly affected by #desertification. This indicates the magnitude of the problem that confronts us." (source Peter Dynes) #soil#erosion#climatechange
After years of being disgusted with myself as I continued to throw compostables in the regular garbage (where it ends up in a landfill, where it does NOTHING), I’ve finally gotten around to starting a #composting pile.
Apparently, this is something individuals can do that actually helps fight #ClimateChange. I don’t know the science of it (the spouse does), but consider starting your own if you can!
"The #EuropeanUnion on Thursday has agreed tougher penalties for environmental crimes such as importing invasive species and pollution caused by ships, and the illegal depletion of [#water resources].
Under the new deal, offences causing death will be punishable with 10 years of prison while firms risk fines of 3 or 5% of their annual worldwide turnover."
"Parliament and Council negotiators also agreed on stricter sanctions for so-called qualified offences, i.e. those causing the destruction of an #ecosystem or #habitat within a protected site or damage to air, #soil or #water quality.These would include offences comparable to #ecocide with catastrophic results such as widespread pollution or large-scale forest fires."
First, fork the soil to ease compaction. Disturb soil as little as possible. Easy to do through light mulch. And I love using this garden fork my Mom passed to me.
Second, check hose leading into small swale is clear of debris. I repurposed an old colander and local rocks to help limit erosion. #gardening#farming
Third, poured about 1/2 liter of water into start of swale. Acts to pre-charge and prevent run off. With our high heat and low humidity, my soil surface can repel water at times. #gardening#farming#soil
"Beneath the surface of our #gardens lies a hidden world of unsung heroes – #earthworms. These unassuming creatures, with their remarkable abilities and roles, hold a pivotal position in the intricate tapestry of our ecosystems. From facilitating #soil aeration to enriching it with essential nutrients, earthworms play a crucial role in maintaining the health and vitality of our gardens. In this post, we delve into the intriguing world of these 'garden allies' to uncover the reasons behind their importance and the incredible contributions they make." https://thepolycultureproject.substack.com/p/wiggling-wonders-the-vital-role-of #permaculture
When we think of #food, we often aren’t paying attention to soil, but it’s actually what sustains our global food system.
Unfortunately, #ClimateChange, unsustainable farming practices & more are degrading soil around the world.
I don’t get to see each episode of Serving Up Science until they are published, but I like this new video. And I’m so glad they let me talk about soil health. https://youtu.be/FnOHwq6iSpk?si=5umwoGQU7DFrdhCD
'A team of Rice scientists led by chemist James Tour and researchers from the geotechnical structures and environmental engineering branches of the ERDC showed that mixing polluted soil with nontoxic, carbon-rich compounds that propel electrical current, such as biochar, then zapping the mix with short bursts of electricity flushes out both organic pollutants and heavy metals without using water or generating waste.'