Urbanization, Soil Degradation, and Food Insecurity: A Looming Crisis
Urbanization and poor farming practices are rapidly accelerating soil degradation, threatening global food security. Learn what steps you can take.
Urbanization and Rapid Loss of Soil
Excerpt from my article written in 2008: In search of a bit of soil
"SOIL is the thin layer of earth's crust which serves as a natural medium for growth of plants.
Soil is the birthplace for plants. And plants are essential for the life of all other life on earth including humans. Even children know the importance of plants: they transform CO2 into the oxygen we breathe; they absorb greenhouse gases and keep earth cool. Plants are at the lowest rung of the food chain—all herbivores like cows, goats, deer and sheep live off plants and all carnivores like tigers, lions live by eating the herbivores. We humans usually eat plants and herbivores. Thus we may say—soil of mother earth is the cradle of life."
"I am a thinking person, a person away from soil, away from doing things by hand, a person whose main job is thinking. And inevitably I lived in a large city where roads are paved and concrete buildings aspire to touch the sky. I missed the soil, the open soil.
In my childhood, we lived in a two storied house in a small town. It had a kitchen garden. My father somehow understood my affinity towards soil and the things that are soil-born. He taught me to sprinkle seeds of chilli on the wet earth during monsoon. I still see myself on my knees intently looking at the small green shoots coming out of the seeds; then the same me but the chilli plants now grown up. And then the unbounded joy: the plants flowered and finally little green chillies hung on my plants. I sat by them quietly, a river flowing in my little heart silently."
"Years later, on a Sunday morning, I took my young son on a walk on the metaled road opening out of my apartment building, searching for a bit of open soil. This area has a few apartment buildings and the rest walled off houses of rich folks. Behind the walls lay good-sized gardens. Walking outside the walls, we could see the branches of the trees rising above the walls. We could imagine the greens inside. Not for us. In the heart of the urban sprawl, green spaces were hidden behind high walls, leaving me only the memory of the natural world. Failing to show my son open soil, we enjoyed together walking along a narrow paved road with canopy of trees on both sides."
In our increasingly urbanized world, where concrete replaces open spaces and nature is often confined behind walls, many of us have lost touch with the soil beneath our feet—the very foundation of life. Soil, the cradle of plants, sustains all life on earth. Yet, as cities expand, we find ourselves further from this life-giving source.
Urbanization’s Threat to Agricultural Land and Global Food Security
Urbanization is accelerating soil loss. As cities expand into agricultural land, urbanization's impact on soil wreaks havoc, contributing to climate change and threatening food production. By 2050, global urban land area is expected to increase by 280,000 to 490,000 km², resulting in the degradation of up to 190,000 km² of natural habitats and fertile land. Moreover, over 90% of the Earth's topsoil could be at risk due to erosion, deforestation, and unsustainable land use. This sharp reduction in available fertile land directly threatens food production.
Soil degradation isn’t just an environmental threat—it’s also deeply tied to climate change and agriculture, rapidly becoming a major driving force behind global food security crisis. By 2050, soil erosion alone could cause a 10% decline in global crop yields, leaving millions at risk of hunger. Already, 33% of the world's soil is degraded, with over-reliance on harmful farming practices compounding the problem. Meanwhile, the global population is set to increase by nearly 2 billion, reaching 9.8 billion by 2050.
This direct conflict between a declining food supply and growing demand paints a dire picture: by 2030, food shortages could become a reality for millions, driving widespread malnutrition and starvation. As land fertility dwindles and fertile soil is lost, basic sustenance could become a privilege for the few unless urgent steps are taken to reverse these trends.
The Vicious Cycle of Soil Erosion and Climate Destabilization: The Future
As green cover diminishes, the environment becomes more vulnerable to climate change, biodiversity loss, and the destruction of ecosystems that rely on healthy soil. This is a vicious cycle. The more we lose soil and green cover, the more destabilized the climate will be, leading to further deterioration of soil, food and green cover.
The worst but probable future: a few million people living in huge domes, most of them totally controlled, provided with strictly rationed living space, food, drink and entertainment. Those will be the workers still needed, rest of the tasks carried out by intelligent robots. The few in power will enjoy full facilities all produced artificially, the outside natural world having died a long time ago. This is in perfect tune with the visionary writer Isaac Asimov's Caves of Steel.
This dystopian future isn't just science fiction; it's a very real possibility if we continue down this path of utter environmental neglect.
Do we want it? We still are 8 billion thinking humans. By raising our voice, taking actions individually and in groups, can we not turn the deadly tide towards rejuvenation of nature and avoid the harshest future waiting for us?
What Can We Do in Small Steps?
Just as my son, now grown up, and a few others I know, are committed to restoring the land and nature, we all have a role to play in addressing the larger crisis of soil and climate degradation, which affects us all. Even in urban environments, each of us can take meaningful steps to contribute to soil preservation and restoration:
- Know more, be more aware: The very first step you must take is to know more about the areas of concern most important for you. For instance, awareness campaigns about sustainable farming practices in many regions have led to a significant increase in local organic farming. There is a saying: "If you understand the problem clearly, you are halfway to the solution."
- Lobby for changing school and college curriculum: The teaching methods and content in schools need a radical shift towards learning-projects on soil, nature, green cover, farming, how food is produced, and how drinking water we get. It will have the powerful potential to generate a nature conscious future generation. If schools do not take action, do it yourself by introducing these topics to the children in your community.
- Teach your the child: Make your child put seeds in the soil and show him how plants grow from seeds to ultimately produce its magical chillies. Take family trips to forests and crop fields. Exposure to the wonders of nature has a deep impact in shaping the persona of the future grown up human.
- Create Urban Gardens: Even with a small balcony or rooftop, creating an urban garden supports self-sufficiency in food production and helps reduce pollution. Grow herbs or vegetables using organic waste and vegetable peels from your kitchen instead of relying on chemical fertilizers. Not only are organically produced vegetables and fruits better for your health, but their taste is far superior to that of common market produce.
- Composting: Composting organic waste like food scraps enriches the soil immensely. If individual composting isn’t feasible, organize or join a community composting program. Composting minimizes the use of synthetic fertilizers and reduces landfill waste.
- Support Urban Green Initiatives: Many cities have programs focused on planting. trees, creating community gardens, or maintaining green spaces. Participate in or donate to these programs to help expand the green cover in your city.
- Support Farmers' Markets and Organic Agriculture: Purchasing locally grown, organic produce encourages farming practices that promote soil health, such as crop rotation and agroecology. Every choice you make supports sustainable farming. In Kolkata, we do have a modern three-storied Bio-Hut in Salt Lake where we get our organic food materials.
- Preserve water: Start using only that much water you need. Already, the water situation in large cities worldwide has become alarming. Examples are Johannesburg in South Africa and Bengaluru in India. This malady will spread. Rainwater harvesting reduces reliance on treated municipal water and helps with irrigation without depleting freshwater sources. It also prevents waterlogging and soil erosion. Install a rain barrel or system to collect rainwater, which can be used for household gardens or green spaces.
- Advocate for Green Infrastructure: Push for local policies that prioritize parks, rain gardens, and green roofs. These infrastructures not only improve air quality but also protect and nourish urban soil.
- Encourage Nature-Based Careers: Urge the young to choose nature-based careers instead of rushing blindly toward conventional tech-based fields. As artificial intelligence advances, it's predicted that within two to three years, the job market may shrink by as much as 80% worldwide. The vast stretches of dead soil and the small pockets of green cover still left on our planet need millions of young minds and hands to reverse this deadly trend. There will always be work for the young in the fields—rejuvenating soil, restoring ecosystems, and cultivating sustainable food sources.
- Support Soil and Ecosystem Restoration Projects: Many global initiatives focus on restoring degraded land and improving biodiversity, like The Great Green Wall in Africa, which aims to combat desertification. Supporting such projects financially or through advocacy can have large-scale benefits. Donate to or raise awareness about initiatives like the 4 per 1000 Initiative or the UN’s Life on Land (SDG 15).
Situation is not totally hopeless. There is a growing awareness and some actions. But we need actions from each of you in whatever way you can.
Global Efforts to Combat Soil Degradation and Greening
Across the globe, several initiatives are working to restore and protect soil health and increase green cover:
- The 4 per 1000 Initiative (France): Launched in 2015, this initiative encourages countries to increase soil carbon content by 0.4% annually to combat climate change and enhance food security. By focusing on regenerative farming and agroecology, this initiative promotes soil health worldwide.
- Regreening Africa (Africa): This program aims to restore 1 million hectares of land across eight African countries by encouraging farmers to adopt agroforestry and sustainable land management practices, reducing soil erosion and improving fertility.
- Soil Health Institute (USA): This nonprofit is working to advance soil health across the United States through research, policy advocacy, and collaboration with farmers. Their work focuses on promoting regenerative agriculture to improve soil organic matter and reduce degradation.
- UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Goal 15, "Life on Land," directly addresses land degradation and advocates for sustainable land use, forest conservation, and restoration of degraded ecosystems. Many countries are aligning their policies with these goals to improve soil and environmental health globally.
- Community Managed Natural Farming in Andhra Pradesh, India: Dr. Vijay Kumar, a former Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, led a transformative movement in Andhra Pradesh aimed at promoting natural farming. Under his leadership, the Andhra Pradesh Community-Managed Natural Farming (APCNF) initiative, previously known as Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF), has grown significantly. By 2020, the program had involved nearly 800,000 farmers, many of whom were rural women in self-help groups (SHGs), in adopting natural, chemical-free farming practices. The initiative focuses on building soil fertility, reducing the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, and promoting water conservation and crop diversification, all while ensuring food security and farmer income stability. Dr. Vijay Kumar envisions enrolling all 8 million farmers in the state by 2031 and making Andhra Pradesh a natural farming state.
Conclusion: Rediscovering Our Connection
As urbanization accelerates, it’s easy to feel disconnected from the land. But soil degradation and consequent loss of green cover is a major crisis that affects us all. From soil loss due to urbanization to the decline in soil quality from chemical overuse, these challenges are interlinked with broader issues like climate change and agriculture, food insecurity, and environmental imbalance. In searching for a bit of soil, we are really searching for a connection to life itself. Every small action, from planting a seed to raising awareness, adds up. Together, we can shift the course towards a greener, more sustainable future for generations to come.
Valuable resource articles for reference
- Soil erosion must be stopped ‘to save our future’, says UN agriculture agency: Dire warning of consequences of soil erosion by UN Agriculture agency.
- 95% of the Earth’s Soil on Course to Be Degraded by 2050 : A very valuable article not only focusing on accelerating soil erosion and its threats, it also links it with the parallel threat of bloating population of Earth needing more food.
- FAO warns 90 per cent of Earth’s topsoil at risk by 2050 : This also is a valuable projection in line with the other future projection on topsoil loss by 2050 and is a must read.
- Community Managed Natural Farming Project in Andhra Pradesh, India : To me this is the most inspiring large scale effort that already has achieved unprecedented success on soil rejuvenation and natural chemical-less environment friendly organic farming practices. A must read.
- The science of Soil Security and Food Security : A detailed thorough scientific article touching upon all related issues.
- Soil erosion: Why fertile earth is being degraded and lost : A highly readable and valuable article on soil erosion from BBC.
- Understanding the “4 per 1000” Initiative : Focuses on increasing soil carbon content through regenerative farming.