Human life is intricately linked to the health of the soil. Whether you eat plants or animals, virtually all food, 95% of it, comes from the soil. The soil is a living organism that nourishes life on earth. Protecting, nurturing and improving the soil is essential for the future flourishing of the human species.
Human beings like to think of themselves as the pinnacle of creation, and the times we are living in as the most ‘advanced’ our planet has ever seen. But if you look at the facts, human animals are failing to secure themselves with quality food. All animals need to acquire food and shelter, and an animal who cannot do so is not a very successful one.
Industrial agriculture was touted as the solution to feed the growing population, but it is degrading the soil, causing desertification and the loss of topsoil.
Read on to find out why the health of our soils is a vegan issue.
Key Takeaways
What Is The Soil And Why Is It Important?
The soil is a living nexus that allows life on earth to flourish.
It is said that 59% of organisms on the planet exist in the soil.
The soil allows trees to grow which allows humans to breathe.
It also allows us to grow crops to feed ourselves, and to produce shelter and medicine.
Virtually all life is dependent on plants, and plants are dependent on the soil.
Healthy soil has a high organic matter and nutrient content and allows water to penetrate and recharge the groundwater aquifers. Healthy soils boast a plethora of microbial life which assist in nutrient cycling. They resist erosion and can retain their fertility even when subjected to adverse conditions.
Unfortunately, humans are living in such a way that doesn’t honor the soil and our interdependence. Our future is in jeopardy because of this lack of foresight and understanding.
Food Health and People Health
Healthy soil provides nutrient-dense food that sets us up for strong physical health.
Industrial agriculture, (as already discussed in previous articles) frequently tills the soil, exposing the bacterial life to the sun's rays, ultimately killing them.
Tilling causes desertification; when precious topsoil is washed and eroded away.
Ultimately food grown in industrial systems becomes less nutrient-dense year after year and can be of less benefit to us and health moving forward.
Eating good quality food can reduce your risk of chronic disease. So if you’re a vegan for health or environmental concerns, you should consider whether you want to support such destructive practices.
Food grown in degraded soil is much more likely to be contaminated with harmful chemicals, heavy metals and other contaminants as it lacks the fertility to support itself.
Planet Health
Less topsoil means less life on earth. It is claimed that 90% of the world's topsoil is at risk by 2050 and with it our food security and the biodiversity of our ecosphere.
The health of the earth is negatively affected by current agricultural practices.
By tending to the soil, we can ensure that more tree cover is also achieved, which can lead to higher levels of carbon sequestration.
As mentioned, soil is the building block of life on earth. Healthy soil plays a vital part in maintaining the water cycle, mitigating droughts and preventing flooding. It does this by facilitating the growth of trees to grow, which helps collect and recycle moisture. This in turn covers the soil, reduces evaporation and creates microclimates conducive to more life.
Tree roots can help keep the soil in place, reducing the risks of damage by flooding and other natural disasters.
Why This Should Concern Vegans?
Ethical vegans; those who follow a vegan lifestyle mainly for concerns about animal and environmental welfare should question whether industrial agriculture should be supported, given its supremely destructive nature.
Its lack of concern with the ecological consequences of its actions are jeopardizing the future of life on the planet.
Vegans who avoid animal products for health reasons should also be concerned. Industrially grown foods contain less vital nutrients the more the soil is eroded and degraded year after year.
Whilst the benefits of avoiding animal products can still be experienced, the benefits of following a plant-based diet cannot be fully realized unless the plants eaten are grown in the best possible conditions so they can impart the greatest benefits possible on the consumer.
FINAL THOUGHTS
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