Report identifies poor soil health as national security threat

A new report, “Soil Health: A National Security Profile,” by the United Kingdom-based Food & Global Security Network, calls on government leaders to formally recognize healthy soil as a strategic asset, critical for maintaining food and societal security.  It says that defense departments globally should work with departments of agriculture and the environment to jointly oversee delivery of increased food sovereignty within nations and the regeneration of soil health.​

ffinlo Costain, chief executive of Farmwel and founder of the Food & Global Security Network, said, “The right to affordable nutrition underpins peace and civil stability, but the impacts of climate disruption and biodiversity loss are already affecting food production. If we see a 2 centigrade rise in global temperatures, which now seems increasingly likely, we could experience extreme disruption in global food supplies. When food is scarce, prices rise, inequality increases and simmering resentments can turn rapidly into conflict and even war. Healthy soil and a balanced ecosystem are critical for food sovereignty and a peaceful society.

Costain emphasized that agroecology is “a low risk and low-cost solution that can mitigate the security threats connected with poor soil health. With COP26 in sight, agroecology and regenerative farming can produce great food locally and at scale, while greatly accelerating carbon drawdown, regenerating biodiversity, and managing precipitation to provide greater drought resilience and better flood protection.”

To access the report, visit: https://www.foodandsecurity.net/.

Organic & Non-GMO Insights December 2021