betterSoil and the European Commission
Soil health is vital for life, yet awareness is low. At the Mission Soil meeting in Ispra, experts, including Azadeh from betterSoil, discussed ways to enhance soil literacy and drive action. Key insights from this crucial event highlight strategies to inform and engage the public on soil sustainability.
Foundation
Soil is the foundation of our ecosystems, food security, and climate resilience. Healthy soils support biodiversity, regulate water cycles, and act as carbon sinks, playing a crucial role in mitigating climate change. Yet, despite its immense importance, soil literacy remains low among the public and decision-makers. This lack of awareness poses a significant barrier to effective soil management and protection. Recognizing this challenge, the European Commission and the Joint Research Centre (JRC) organized a two-day Mission Soil meeting in Ispra to bring together experts, policymakers, and stakeholders to address this critical issue. betterSoil was proud to participate in the event, with Azadeh contributing valuable insights on how to raise soil awareness, engage diverse audiences, and promote actionable solutions for soil sustainability. Together, we can turn the tide and protect our soils for future generations.
Soil Literacy
The discussions covered key topics essential for raising soil awareness and promoting sustainable practices:
✅ Education & Awareness – Integrating soil literacy into school curriculums, university courses, and professional training to ensure long-term understanding and commitment.
✅ Accessible Communication – Creating innovative tools, campaigns, and digital platforms that make soil knowledge engaging, easy to understand, and widely accessible to diverse audiences.
✅ Cross-Sector Collaboration – Strengthening connections between scientists, farmers, policymakers, and industries to develop and implement effective, soil-friendly strategies.
✅ Citizen Engagement – Encouraging active participation through community projects, storytelling, and hands-on initiatives that empower individuals to protect and restore soil health.
The outcome
The event emphasized that soil literacy goes beyond understanding soil science—it is about inspiring action to protect, restore, and regenerate our soils for a more sustainable future. Healthy soil is the foundation of food security, biodiversity, and climate resilience, yet its importance remains widely overlooked. Experts stressed the urgent need to integrate soil knowledge into education, policy, and everyday decision-making to ensure long-term impact. By fostering awareness, collaboration, and innovation, we can make soil health a global priority. The betterSoil team is committed to working with partners across Europe to develop initiatives that engage communities, support farmers, and encourage industries to adopt sustainable practices. Through advocacy, hands-on projects, and knowledge-sharing, we aim to drive meaningful change. Together, we can make soil protection a shared responsibility, ensuring a healthier planet for future generations.