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Nel 2023 la Commissione UE finalizzerà la Nature Restoration Law con l’obiettivo di tutelare legalmente il suolo e azzerare il consumo netto entro il 2050. Foto: Gerd Altmann Creative Commons CC0 Public domain

EU ready to work on soil law: “Net consumption must go to zero by 2050”

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The Commission has announced a European law for soil protection by 2023. Debora Fino (Re Soil): "An historic choice, now Member States can take a major step forward". Concerns over France and Germany's position
Australia is betting on soil carbon sequestration. But according to an expert "the idea that the agricultural sector can offset fossil damage is pretty fanciful." Photo: John Englart Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-SA 2.0)Photo: John Englart Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Soil carbon sequestration in Australia can’t offset emissions

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Australia is focusing on soil carbon sequestration. But without a government u-turn in the fight against climate change, the agricultural sector will not be able to offset the damages of the fossil fuel industry
Deforestation in a nutshell. Between 2002 and 2018, the Brazilian Amazon lost more than 20 million hectares of tropical forest. Photo: Amazônia Real from Manaus AM, Brasil Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)Amazônia Real from Manaus AM, Brasil Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)

FAO, NASA and Google join forces to beat deforestation through data power

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FAO announces the launch of a Data Partnership to tackle deforestation. The initiative is based on geospatial information, which is being increasingly used in recent years to monitor soil and risk areas.
Climate mitigation in agriculture can bring total benefits of $360 billion. Photo: Hezekiel Gikambi Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0)Hezekiel Gikambi Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Changing agriculture would result in a 7% reduction in emissions

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Climate mitigation in agriculture can bring $360 billion benefits according to a FAO/EBRD report. "We must pay farmers for the environmental services they provide".
The sharp decline in biodiversity recorded among common birds in European farmland is a wake-up call for soil health. Photo: Pixabay License Free for commercial use Attribution not requiredPixabay License Free for commercial use Attribution not required

“Intensive agricultural practices are harming birds”. As biodiversity crisis deepens

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Unsustainable land management is harming common birds in agricultural areas, according to Czech ornithologist Petr Voříšek. Their biodiversity index has plummeted in the last 40 years.
Basalt rock in Iceland. When used as amendment, this mineral is reportedly proving effective in increasing soil fertility and carbon capture. Photo: Hippopx License to use Creative Commons Zero - CC0Hippopx License to use Creative Commons Zero - CC0

Rock dust pushes crop yields higher and CO2 emissions down

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Basalt rock dust could be a significant driver of carbon sequestration in soils and a powerful fertilizer. US researchers are trying to assess this circular solution
Assessing carbon concentration is crucial for Malawi farmers who need to maximize the fertility of their soils. Photo: USAID Free to use CC0USAID Free to use CC0

Low cost technology helps African farmers to measure carbon in soil

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In Malawi, a $400 calibrated reflectometer has allowed to record the carbon concentration in soil. A key step for better managing agricultural land
Salt-affected land in the Syrdaryo region in eastern Uzbekistan. The former Soviet republic is one of the hardest hit countries by soil salinization. Photo: Milo Mitchell Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)Milo Mitchell Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

“Excess salt threatens up to 50% of global crops”

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Salt overdose in world soils may impact on the lives of 1.5 billion people. But some best practices can help us solve the problem, FAO says
The use of horses in tillage operations helps to ensure soil health. Photo: Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux Attribution-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-ND 2.0)Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux Attribution-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-ND 2.0)

French horses replace tractors to become soil doctors

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Three hundred French winegrowers rely on animal traction to till the soil. An unusual choice which generates benefits for soil health and more
Proper soil management contributes to climate mitigation, FAO says. Photo: United Nations Development Programme in Europe and CIS Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)United Nations Development Programme in Europe and CIS Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

Well managed soil can offset as much as 34% of agricultural emissions

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"Best pratices help global soils to sequester enough carbon o offset up to one third of agricultural GHG emissions," says FAO. Here are two brand new practical tools

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It’s beneath our feet but we never think about its value. We tread on it, we mistreat it, but a healthy, fertile soil means life. It’s time to take care of the soil and each one of us can and must make a difference.

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