UN report warns of accelerating global soil degradation

A report by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) warns that more than half of the world’s soils are in poor condition, posing a significant threat to global food supplies and biodiversity. The findings, presented by the Intergovernmental Technical Panel on Soils, indicate that soil degradation is accelerating at an alarming rate despite the existence of proven restoration methods.

Soils support 95 percent of global food production and host 59 percent of the planet's biodiversity. The report notes that since 2015, the global population has grown by 800 million people, and an area of land roughly equivalent to the combined size of France and Germany has been converted to major crops, increasing pressure on soil health.

Erosion remains the primary threat, often driven by unsustainable practices. Other critical issues include the loss of soil organic carbon, nutrient mismanagement, pollution, and salt build-up. While climate change exacerbates these problems, the FAO emphasizes that implementing sustainable management practices, such as reduced tillage and crop diversification, could help reverse degradation and improve climate resilience.