It was recently announced that 90% of the Earth’s topsoil will likely be at risk by 2050, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, FAO.

To help put the issue in perspective, the FAO declared that about one soccer field of earth is eroding every 5 seconds, which is why we need to start actively protecting topsoil globally. Furthermore, it’s significant to note that it takes around a thousand years to create only a few centimeters of topsoil. At the present moment, the FAO is calling for more action and initiative by the countries and partners who’ve signed up for the Global Soil Partnership (GSP).

The FAO is urging everyone, including citizens, governments, and other various institutions, to take greater action to monitor and care for topsoil and overall help to enhance topsoil health and reduce soil degradation. Fortunately, there are programs already in place to improve the amount of organic matter in topsoil, which has been done through “adopting practices such as using cover crops, crop rotation and agroforestry,” according to the FAO.

When it comes to the progress of the Global Soil Partnership (GSP), they have been expanding their data collection in the form of digital soil mapping. This new technology will also inform policymakers about topsoil conditions, which in turn should effectively allow for these policymakers to make more informed decisions when it comes to managing and caring for topsoil and lessening soil degradation.

The talk of sustainability also enters the picture. The FAO is also urging the integration and coordination of sustainable practices through investment in education and the development of sustainable farming practices. Educating people on how to prevent further soil degradation along with supporting the implementation of sustainability is key to unlocking positive progress.