The Effects of Soil Salinization

Welcome to part 2 of our mini series promoting the UN #WorldSoilDay on 5th December 2021 to raise awareness of salt-affected soils. In this piece we look at; economical losses, migration, and the worldwide land area affected by soil salinization. This is part of our series on Growing Sustainably.

You can find all content in this mini series at Mini Series: Salt Affected Soils.

If you already know that you have the power to improve soil salinization and help climate change, here are the options to make conscious decisions when buying food and drink:

  1. Check out #VoteWithOurMoney with 6 Steps to Help Stop Climate Change
  2. Try the Sustainability Roadmap with 40+ Solutions to Climate Change
  3. Use the Company Directory to Help You Grow, Eat, and Live Sustainably

If you want some more facts before making any decisions, let’s get into the details:

In part 1 of this mini series we looked at Salt-Affected Soils: A Global Concern Reducing Agricultural Productivity. This time we’re taking a look at the effects of soil salinization.

Economical Losses from Soil Salinization

The global annual cost of salt-induced land degradation in irrigated areas is estimated to be $27.3 billion USD related to lost crop production.

Economical Losses from Soil Salinization
SOURCE: fao.org/world-soil-day/campaign-materials/en/

Migration from Soil Salinization

As climate change and water scarcity increase, more soils become salt-affected, forcing people to leave their once productive land and migrate.

SOURCE: fao.org/world-soil-day/campaign-materials/en/

Worldwide Land Area Affected by Salinity

Do you know that 8.7% of the total land area worldwide is affected by salinity?

The global map on salt-affected Soils contains contributions from over 118 countries with 257,419 locations containing measured soil data.

Worldwide Land Area Affected by Salinity
SOURCE: fao.org/world-soil-day/campaign-materials/en/

You Can Improve Salt Affected Soils and Reverse Climate Change

I realised that the decisions I make when buying healthy food, give me the power to help climate change, encourage farmers to switch from degenerative to regenerative agriculture, and improve the health and happiness of my family.

Advocating for regenerative agriculture can seem completely removed from our day to day lives, however, the questions we ask in food shops, the healthy food we buy, and the conscious choices we make are all reminders that we have the power to improve our future and the health of planet earth.

Check-out our 10-part mini series on Conscious Buying Decisions to Help Climate Change with an article going live every week starting from 18th November 2021. You can also get the audio version by subscribing to our podcast or the video version by subscribing to our YouTube channel.



About World Soil Day 2021

Soil salinization and sodification are major soil degradation processes threatening ecosystem and are recognized as being among the most important problems at a global level for agricultural production, food security, and sustainability in arid and semi-arid regions. World Soil Day 2021 (#WorldSoilDay) and its campaign “Halt soil salinization, boost soil productivity” aims to raise awareness of the importance of maintaining healthy ecosystems and human well-being by addressing the growing challenges in soil management, fighting soil salinization, increasing soil awareness, and encouraging societies to improve soil health.

Find Out More at UN FAO World Soil Day

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Suggested Reading

If you like the topic of this mini series, you might be interested in these reading suggestions with links to each book on Amazon.

Find Kiss the Ground by Josh Tickell Here on Amazon*

Kiss The Ground by Josh Tickell

Find Soil Will Save Us by Kristin Ohlson Here on Amazon*

Soil Will Save Us by Kristin Ohlson

Find Soil, Grass, Hope by Courtney White Here on Amazon*

Soil, Grass, Hope by Courtney White

Find Dawn Again: Tracking the Wisdom of the Wild by Markegard and Doniga Here on Amazon*

Dawn Again: Tracking the Wisdom of the Wild by Doniga Markegard

Find Drawdown: The Most Comprehensive Plan Ever Proposed to Reverse Global Warming by Paul Hawken Here on Amazon*

Drawdown: The Most Comprehensive Plan Ever Proposed to Reverse Global Warming by Paul Hawken

Find Diet for a Hot Planet by Anna Lappé Here on Amazon*

Diet for a Hot Planet by Anna Lappé

Find Cows Save the Planet: And Other Improbable Ways of Restoring Soil to Heal the Earth by Judith D. Schwartz Here on Amazon*

Cows Save the Planet: And Other Improbable Ways of Restoring Soil to Heal the Earth by Judith D. Schwartz

Find Growing a Revolution: Bringing Our Soil Back to Life by David Montgomery Here on Amazon*

Growing a Revolution: Bringing Our Soil Back to Life by David Montgomery

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Where Next?

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Sources Used to Create This Piece

Production Notes

This was produced by me, James Walters, as a personal project to help stop climate change by inspiring others to grow, eat, and live sustainably.

Any advice given is the opinion of those involved and does not constitute medical, financial, or legal advice.

* We include links we think you will find useful. If you buy through those links, we may earn a small commission. It’s one way to support our work and to inspire as many people as possible.