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Worldwide, soy cultivation promotes the deforestation of 4,800 km2 of land every year. Photo: Hippopx public domain CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0)Hippopx public domain CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0)

Corporate commitments alone can’t stop soy-led deforestation

In 10 years, the moratorium on Brazilian soy derived from deforested land has saved just 2,300 km2 of forest, an international study says. "Supply chain governance should not be a substitute for state-led forest policies," researchers explain
Nitrogen is an essential soil resource, but its overuse, mostly related to fertilizer application, is a driver of pollution. Photo: Cade Martin, Dawn Arlotta US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (USCDCP) CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) public domainCade Martin, Dawn Arlotta US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (USCDCP) CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) public domain

Soil nitrogen is the one responsible for water pollution

During rainy periods soil nitrogen in the soil is channeled into rivers, contributing to their contamination, a research from Nagoya University has found. The investigation thus denies the theory of atmospheric origin of water pollution
Due to drought, Iraqi farming communities are experiencing a drop in harvests for the second year in a row. Photo: Ahmed Kaka, NRC October 2022 Free-to-use photos Press Album - A dry horizonAhmed Kaka, NRC October 2022 Free-to-use photos Press Album - A dry horizon

Climate change and drought threaten crops and economy in Iraq

Iraqi farming communities experience a new decline in harvests due to drought, says Norwegian Refugee Council. The worsening climate emergency and water crisis is an economic disaster for the affected regions
During Jair Bolsonaro's presidency, deforestation of the Amazon has accelerated. Photo: Isac Nóbrega/PR Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)Isac Nóbrega/PR Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)

Brazilians choose their president and the fate of the Amazon forest as well

In Brazil the future of nearly 76 thousand sq. km. of the Amazon depends on the October 30 ballot, a study released by Carbon Brief states. That is the amount to the expected deforestation decline if former President Lula succeeds
Ants play an effective role in counteracting plant pests. Photo: Abdulmominbd Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0)Abdulmominbd Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Ants better than pesticides in protecting soil health and increasing agricultural yields

According to a research ants provide crucial services for crops such as decreasing pest activity and plant damage while leading to higher yields
Contaminated land in Verdun, northern France. The effects of soil contamination in World War I battlefields are still clear more than a century later. This a precedent that scares Ukraine and global agriculture. Photo: public domainpublic domain

Ukraine will have to deal with war damages to agriculture for a century (at least)

Ukraine farmland could suffer the same consequences as the soils of northern France, which are still contaminated with the munitions waste from World War I. A severe problem for the global food supply chain
Forty years after the last survey, China aims to complete its national land census. Photo: olly301 Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-SA 2.0)olly301 Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-SA 2.0)

China will provide an updated soil survey by 2025

Forty years after the last study, Beijing aims to complete its land census. While waiting for the data, however, the scenario looks grim. Pollution, erosion and fertility loss remain the main problems
Lack of mechanization remains a widespread problem for Africa. Photo: Kabai Ken Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0)Kabai Ken Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Farmers in Africa bet on tractor sharing

The shortage of farm machinery is a well-known problem for Africa. Founded in Nairobi, Hello Tractor is an app that aims to foster cooperation between farmers and equipment owners
Soil is responsible for the production of 95 percent of global food. Photo: James Almond Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-SA 2.0)Photo: James Almond Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-SA 2.0)

FAO: “Soil protection is the first response to the global food crisis”

Soil is responsible for the production of 95 percent of our food, says FAO during the Global Symposium 2022. But land management is often unsustainable. Without a change of direction, 8 percent of the world's population could still face hunger in 2030
Microbes play a crucial role in maintaining soil balance. Photo: Rawpixel CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain DedicationRawpixel CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication

Microbes are resurging in decontaminated soils thanks to desorption

When soil cleaned up through thermal desorption, microbes proliferate again thus helping soil balance, a study has found. Results highlights the overall efficacy of this decontamination technique

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