International Soil Conservation Day 2025: Why Soil Deserves Our Full Attention
- Nymphe
- Jul 7
- 2 min read
Updated: Jul 8
Every year on July 7, we observe International Soil Conservation Day - a crucial moment to recognize soil not just as the ground beneath our feet, but as a living, breathing system essential to life on Earth.
This year, the message is more urgent than ever. A new report from the Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission, in collaboration with the European Environment Agency (EEA), reveals alarming trends in soil degradation across Europe — calling for swift and collective action.
Soil: The Foundation of Life
Soil is a unique and irreplaceable resource:
Hosts nearly 60% of all terrestrial biodiversity
Supports ecosystems and agricultural productivity
Regulates the climate, water, and nutrient cycles
Provides food, raw materials, and biomass
Healthy soils are at the heart of ecosystem resilience and food security — yet they remain one of the most endangered natural assets.
A Concerning Snapshot: The State of Soils in Europe
According to the JRC’s The State of Soils in Europe report, at least 63% of soils in the European Union are degraded due to human activity and natural pressures. This degradation is the result of complex interactions between land use, pollution, climate change, and mismanagement.
Key insights from the report
1 billion tonnes of soil are lost annually to erosion
Between 2012 and 2018, over 400 km² per year were lost to soil sealing (urban development)
Carbon loss from soils is undermining EU climate targets
74% of agricultural land in the EU+UK receives excessive nitrogen inputs
Phosphorus surpluses and pesticide residues are widespread
Contaminants continue to accumulate in agricultural soil
These findings highlight how soil degradation is not only an environmental crisis - it's also a social and economic one, threatening agriculture, biodiversity, water quality, and human health.
What Needs to Be Done?
Public engagement through citizen science initiatives
Sustainable soil governance backed by data, innovation, and monitoring
Comprehensive soil conservation strategies across the EU
Soil Restoration in Practice: The Role of NYMPHE
At NYMPHE, we’re working to restore degraded soils using bioremediation - a nature-based approach that uses microorganisms and plants to clean polluted environments. Our mission is aligned with the goals of this international day: to preserve and restore soil health for future generations.
Why It Matters Today
Soil degradation directly impacts:
Food production
Climate adaptation
Biodiversity conservation
Water retention and flood control
International Soil Conservation Day 2025 is a reminder that protecting soil means protecting the future. Let's not wait until it’s too late - let’s act now to protect the ground we stand on.
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