What if we literally lose ground?

The earth beneath our feet is not just rocks, sand or mud. It is the soil - our silent ally that makes our lives flourish. It is what makes our tables bend under the weight of juicy fruit and crunchy vegetables. It is the soil that is the stage on which an extraordinary production takes place - the life cycle of the plants that feed and adorn our world.

If we were to cause soil degradation, we would face water and food shortages. This is a huge threat to humanity, which could end in poverty and, in the worst case scenario, the end of our species. This is, of course, a worst-case scenario that we will certainly never achieve, but we need to consider today what we can do to ensure that our children and grandchildren do not face such a problem. 

We can speak of soil contamination when chemical substances are present in the soil in amounts exceeding their standard content. They then cause changes in the properties of the soil that make normal soil use impossible.

Man, through his activities, causes pollution, which can be divided into four categories. 

Four types of soil contamination. How to prevent them? 

• The first category is industrial pollution. This refers to the construction, metallurgical, chemical, metallurgical, energy and mining industries. 
• Agricultural pollution, consisting of over-intensive fertilisation and excessive use of pesticides, is very important. 
• The third is municipal pollution, i.e. solid waste and sewage. 
• The last category is traffic pollution - we are talking about exhaust fumes, which contain heavy and toxic substances, but also salt, which is spread on icy roads and pavements. 

The above pollutants also contribute to soil degradation in the form of: reduced biodiversity, soil salinisation and contamination, erosion and loss of organic matter, and soil acidification. In the future, it may result in water and food shortages. We trust that, like us, you will do everything possible to prevent this from happening. 

How can you help? Start with a valuable conversation 

It is therefore worth considering what specifically to do to take care of the quality of our soil. Here are some suggestions! 

Firstly: talk, raise awareness, explain. Each of us can contribute to this by talking and spreading knowledge in our immediate environment. The topic of soil will certainly surprise our interlocutor over coffee, but do we really always have to talk about the results of the Polish national football team and politics? 

Everyone is worth talking to, but the approach of farmers is particularly important. Proper farming is absolutely fundamental when it comes to looking after the soil. We should place the emphasis on sustainable farming, whereby we abandon intensive fertilisation with artificial fertilisers in favour of natural fertilisers and organic materials which are less damaging to the soil. 

It is also important to ensure that soil erosion is slowed down. This is possible by reforesting wasteland or planting across the slope. This is a valuable consideration that some people may not have heard of. Humic acids, which improve the structure of the soil, making it more resistant to erosion, can also contribute to improving soil quality. 

Importantly, today we have real opportunities to reduce industrial sources of soil pollution. This is possible through the use of modern environmentally friendly technologies and the proper management of post-production waste. Today, we can derive energy from water, wind, biomass and even the sun. 

Tram instead of car - yes, this way we also protect the soil 

What else can we do to protect the soil. Remember that our daily activities and choices, have an impact on the environment. By choosing to take the tram, bus, cycle or walk instead of driving a car, we have a real impact on reducing the amount of fumes in the environment. How does this relate? Remember that cars emit significant amounts of nitrogen oxides, sulphur dioxide and particulates, which contribute to soil acidification and soil quality degradation. Public transport and bicycles generate far less of these pollutants per user, reducing their negative impact on the soil.

By choosing to use compost from your own composter in your cucumber instead of artificial fertiliser, you are fertilising the soil in a harmless way. Using compost instead of artificial fertilisers improves the structure of the soil, increasing its water-holding capacity and promoting microbial biodiversity. Additionally, composting waste reduces the amount of rubbish in landfills, which reduces greenhouse gas emissions and supports ecosystem health.

These are just examples that each of us can implement in our daily lives. There are, of course, more such actions. Therefore, each of us has the influence to ensure that we do not lose ground!