The world climate is changing and is going to alter humanitys future. Among the greatest threats that climate change is projected to pose to the future of humanity is decreased food security. The world population is expected to increase by several billion people over the next few decades, and a large increase in worldwide agricultural productivity will be needed to achieve food security. A changing climate threatens the important worldwide system that is needed to produce this food, and our soils, which are a key world resource for humanity. Now that we have so many cities with millions of people, the steady flow of food to these cities is needed, and a changing climate poses a threat to the system. Humans have depended on soil resources for their survival on this planet, and they have been using soil resources for thousands of years to produce food, biodiversity, and ecosystem services. Human activities have contributed to degradation of the worlds soils, and current erosion and degradation rates already threaten the soil that supports human civilizations.

Demands on soil from expansion of cities, industries, and roads are contributing to soil scarcity. Additionally, erosion, desertification, deforestation, and the salinization and depletion of surface and underground water resources that are key in agricultural production, pose a threat to the future of food security and thus the national security of countries, a threat that will grow with climate change. A changing climate threatens to accelerate all of these impacts.

It is clear that these challenges pose a threat to the future of humanity. Fortunately, soil and water conservation practices have the potential to conserve the soil and water resources needed to sustain/increase agricultural productivity to the levels needed by 2050.

For these reasons, WASWAC is releasing this position statement about the critical need to implement policies and management practices that conserve soil and water across the world for climate change mitigation and adaptation and the survival of the human species.  WASWAC recommends that governments and institutions:

Develop policies that improve soil management to achieve a balance between increasing productivity and maintaining organic matter in the soil, reducing soil losses, and improving soil health and soil security. The carbon cycle is tied to how we manage soils, and soil carbon is one of the larger pools in the carbon cycle and contributes to improved soil productivity.

Encourage communication of soil and water conservation programs by developing communication that connects science to land managers and the public; teaching the value of soil carbon; increasing training; and enhancing exchange (at meetings, forums, etc.).

Develop, maintain, and/or expand programs for soil and water conservation practices for climate change mitigation and adaptation that keep surface residue covering the soil surface; promote no till systems; improve soil function with soil carbon; use multiple conservation practices at a field level and off-site; use precision conservation; promote energy efficiency; value water more; minimize greenhouse gas losses; and improve nutrient cycling, nitrogen use efficiencies and soil health. In summary, apply soil and water conservation principles and practices to improve worldwide sustainability and ecosystem services.

Fund research in soil and water conservation that pays dividends long term.

References:

Delgado, J. A., Groffman, P. M., Nearing, M. A., Goddard, T., Reicosky, D., Lal, R., Kitchen, N. R., Rice, C. W., Towery, D., & Salon, P. (2011). Conservation practices to mitigate and adapt to climate change. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation, 66(4), 118A-129A.