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Global and European soil and forest degradation crisis

Updated 3 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

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2026-09-28 12:38 UTC → 2026-10-12 13:07 UTC · added removed

Soil degradation continues to pose a critical threat to global food security, biodiversity, and climate stability. In the European Union, the European Commission reports that approximately 70 percent of soils are unhealthy. This degradation creates a self-reinforcing cycle where decreasing organic matter and biological activity diminish the soil’s ability to regulate water and store nutrients. This process, accelerated by extreme weather and rising temperatures, results in the loss of nearly one billion tons of soil annually and causes unhealthy, causing economic damages exceeding 50 billion euros per year. Globally, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) warns that more than half of the world’s soils are in poor condition. The ‘Status of the World’s Soils Resources 2026’ report reveals that over 1 billion hectares of agricultural land and pastures are degraded. Key drivers include erosion, nutrient mismanagement, pollution, salinization, and the loss of organic carbon. Recent data from the ‘State of the World’s Forests 2026’ report highlights an escalating crisis in forest ecosystems. The FAO reports that ecosystems, with approximately 1.56 billion hectares of forest worldwide are currently degraded. Between 1990 and 2025, deforestation resulted in the loss of 489 million hectares of forest, hectares, while over 460 million hectares underwent degradation due to population growth, land-use changes, and resource demand. Additionally, wildfires Wildfires affect an average of 127 million hectares annually. Failure While restoration efforts currently cover 206.5 million hectares, FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu warned that the window for action is narrowing, noting that poorly designed or delayed restoration will increase long-term costs. Failing to restore these ecosystems could cost the global economy between $878 billion and $6.3 trillion annually. FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu emphasized that forest and landscape restoration is Conversely, a ‘strategic 15-year investment for resilient agrifood systems.’ The FAO suggests that restoring over one billion hectares of degraded forest could generate $1.8 $2.6 trillion in annual benefits through improved biodiversity mitigating land degradation and soil health. drought could yield a social return of eight to one. In Italy, the sixth Forest Atlas report indicates progress, with 3.7 million trees planted in 2025—a 17 percent increase from the previous year. These plantings cover over 5,300 hectares and are estimated to generate approximately €28 million annually in ecosystem services, supported significantly by PNRR funds in metropolitan cities.

Versions

  1. 2026-10-12 13:07 UTC Global and European soil and forest degradation crisis
  2. 2026-09-28 12:38 UTC Global and European soil and forest degradation crisis
  3. 2026-09-17 20:34 UTC Global and European soil and forest degradation crisis
  4. 2026-08-27 03:54 UTC Global and European soil degradation crisis

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