Changing attitudes to soil health

Future generations need to be educated about the crucial role that healthy soil plays in tackling climate change, according to new research. Soil can be a valuable store of carbon but is increasingly coming under threat from wildfires, droughts, hurricanes and floods as the planet warms. According to the United Nations the lives or livelihoods of 39 million people across the world were affected by climate change in 2018. Climate change To help tackle this our researchers recommend that the importance of soil in reducing both the causes and effects of climate change and maintaining the natural environment should be taught in schools and universities. They have produced an animation aimed at school kids exploring the links between combatting climate change and sustainable use of land. Our researchers surveyed schoolchildren in three African countries - Ghana, South Africa and Zimbabwe - about their attitudes to soil. Importantly, while up to 75 per cent of young people had experience of planting at home, most didn't understand the link between increased climate change and soil erosion which releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.