SOIL: Sustainable Only If Loved

Bunanyung Landscape Alliance in partnership with Global Landcare is proud to present a FREE talk by Prof Michael Fullen. 

We recognise that soil is an integral part of our landscape. Only 29% of the Earth’s surface is land, but we name our planet Earth after one of its most vital resources. We need soil for the growth of crops, for the grazing of animals and for timber production. About 90% of world food supply is based on soil systems. However, only about 11% of the world’s land is suitable for the growth of crops, estimated at 13,077 million hectares. We also have a rapidly growing global population, which now exceeds 8 billion people. This growing population demands more high-quality food and food security. Against this background, we have an unprecedented rate of global climatic change.

Pressure on global land resources is damaging soil systems. This damage is manifested in many forms, including soil erosion (by both water and wind), desertification, salinization, chemical pollution, loss of soil organic matter and urban sealing.

Initially, soil conservation was largely perceived as a technical problem of environmental engineering. However, it is increasingly recognised that soil conservation is a complex mix of technical, agronomic, economic, political and social considerations. Mike will draw on his experience to discuss the multiple possible approaches to conserving soils including carbon sequestration and effective dialogue between local people and soil conservationists. For effective soil conservation, education on soil systems is essential including the adoption of the Landcare philosophy of promoting ‘land literacy.’