Caribbean nations endorse Save Soil movement

• If current rates of soil degradation continue, food production could drop by 40% by 2045.
• The FAO estimates that all the world’s topsoil may be extinct in 60 years.

New Delhi: Four Caribbean nations have joined the Save Soil movement, an initiative of Conscious Planet founder Sadhguru of the Isha foundation.

The heads of government and ministers for health, agriculture, and environment from four Caribbean nations have also signed an MoU to take forward the movement.

Save Soil is a global movement initiated to address the soil crisis by inspiring people from around the world to stand up for soil health. Through a combination of global media outreach, live events, meetings with government officials, and a 3000 km motorcycle rally across 24 countries,

Taking about the campaign, Sadhguru said “these small nations, these pearls in the ocean, can make that turn around and demonstrate” that every nation can and must save its soil in the interest of all future life on the planet. 

“We have lost connection with what nurtures our lives. Seeing soil as an inert substance that you can extract from is a completely wrong approach. It is living soil. This is the most important message that needs to go to the younger generation and future generations: soil is a living entity, “he said.

The Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Gaston Browne, expressed his delight at this initiative, stating that soil degradation, which could lead to soil extinction, is a serious threat to the planet.Over 30 years ago, when climate change was identified as a significant threat, it was small island states in the Caribbean that were at the forefront of this fight. 

“It is instructive that, 30 plus years later, it is the very small Caribbean island states that are now seeking to drive this process of saving our soil from extinction,” he said.

Trinbagonian singer and “King of Soca” Machel Montano, who played a critical role in galvanizing Caribbean leadership towards this movement, opened the event, sharing a firm commitment to use his music as “a platform to reach as many people with the critical message to Save Soil.”

Prime Minister Browne received the backing of his Caribbean counterparts, including Roosevelt Skerrit, Prime Minister of Dominica, Philip J. Pierre, Prime Minister of St. Lucia, and Timothy Harris, Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis.

Speaking passionately about the importance of the decision, Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, Timothy Harris, said, “To bring this initiative to the Caribbean region, noting its critical importance for the sustainability of all life on Earth.”

Roosevelt Skerrit, Prime Minister of Dominica, shared his “absolute support” for the Save Soil initiative with conviction and said that “agriculture holds the promise to feed society and all people.” We have to recognise that the soil is, in fact, the most important element on earth. “

The Prime Minister of St. Lucia, Philip J. Pierre, explained that his country “is at a stage where we need to revive our agriculture” and that “this initiative will suit us very well.” 

The memorandum was created in consultation with the world’s top scientists, considering each region’s latitude, climate, economic conditions, and traditional agricultural practices. 

The resolution, titled “Soil Revitalization Global Policy Draft and Solutions Handbook,” was presented by Sadhguru and accepted by the Caribbean Heads of States as an urgent and unifying initiative to restore soil health.

According to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), soil extinction could become a reality if soil degradation continues at present rates. 

Moreover, the FAO estimates that all the world’s topsoil may be extinct in 60 years. 

Food production may fall by 40% by 2045 as the world’s population approaches 9.3 billion. Soil extinction could lead to catastrophic crises worldwide, including food and water shortages, droughts, famines, adverse climate changes, mass migrations, and unprecedented rates of species extinction.