betterSoil goes Japan
We were nominated to speak about soil at the Expert Group Meeting (EGM) on the review of SDG 13 (climate action). The EGM was in preparation for the 2024 High Level Political Forum, jointly convened by UN DESA, UNFCCC, the Japanese Ministry of Environment, UNU and IGES.
Day 1; identify challenges and opportunities
The event took place at the headquarters of the United Nations University. The topic of climate action SDG 13 was discussed. Economic development and the realisation of the SDGs are currently taking place at the expense of the climate and biodiversity. There is an urgent need to close the gaps between our (economic) development and the climate ambitions of the Paris Agreement. We need to ensure that our development ensures the protection of nature and represents a just and equitable transition to a better world for all. In this context, we gave a speech on the importance of soil for the climate system, food production and biodiversity conservation. We emphasised the role of soils in climate change mitigation and adaptation and in sustainable food production.
Day 2: linkages between SDG13 and other SDGs
The first step was to identify challenges and opportunities to accelerate change. Further steps concerned strengthening the linkages between SDG13 and other SDGs and ways to leverage synergies and minimise trade-offs, sharing knowledge on success stories, best practices and lessons learnt, proposals for further action in the areas of policy and regulatory framework, finance, innovation and technology, partnerships and coordinated action at all levels, taking stock of recent commitments to SDG 13, including through intergovernmental processes such as the UNFCCC COPs, the UN General Assembly Summits, the annual HLPFs, the UN Biodiversity Conferences and others.
Bamboo; one of the most mysterious plants in the world
It is as strong as it is used in construction and as soft as it is consumed as a food source! Amazing, isn’t it? As part of our trip to Japan, we visited a managed bamboo forest. Bamboo is a magical plant that plays a crucial role in improving soil fertility and has climate benefits through various mechanisms such as nutrient cycling, soil erosion prevention, carbon sequestration and microbial activity. Bamboo plays a crucial role in improving soil fertility, preventing erosion, sequestering carbon and supporting soil microorganisms, making it an important component of sustainable agriculture and land management. But why is this practice still unknown and unpopular in many countries?
Seaweed; edible climate friend
One of the most popular foods in Japan is seaweed. Seaweed is a wonderful food source and a friend of the climate. They play a crucial role in mitigating climate change through a process called carbon sequestration. Algae absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere during photosynthesis, helping to reduce CO2 levels in the atmosphere. This process helps to combat global warming by reducing the greenhouse effect. Algae also help to maintain the health of the oceans by providing habitat and food for marine organisms. They contribute to biodiversity and support marine ecosystems, which play a key role in regulating the Earth's climate. Overall, algae are important in the fight against climate change as they sequester carbon dioxide and support the health of the oceans. Why don't we eat this great food so often in Germany and Iran? Eating more seaweed now is a good climate action.
Deer; messengers of the gods
In the city of Nara, near Kyoto, deer are considered sacred. We visited the city to understand how and why deer are sacred in Nara. In the Shinto religion, deer are considered divine messengers of the gods. In Nara, deer are protected and honoured as sacred animals. They roam freely in Nara Park and are seen as a symbol of peace, prosperity and harmony. The tradition of honouring and feeding the deer in Nara dates back to ancient times and represents a unique cultural aspect of the city. What if the deer were to conquer the world one day and bring peace to us all?
Moss instead of lawn!
During our trip to Japan, we visited some gardens in the city of Kyoto, two hours by train from Tokyo. The soil in these gardens was covered with moss instead of grass. This is a smart solution that the Japanese use to improve the health of the soil. Moss plays an important role in soil fertility and ecosystem health. It contributes to soil health by retaining moisture, supporting nutrient cycling, reducing soil erosion, providing a habitat for microorganisms and many other benefits.
More demand for local healthy food by young generation
Urban farming is quite popular in Tokyo, Japan. We discovered it as travelling through the countryside of Tokyo as part of our Japan trip. Tokyo has a strong urban farming culture with many initiatives and projects promoting sustainable agriculture in urban areas. Tokyo's residents are increasingly interested in locally grown produce, community gardens, and rooftop farming. The government also supports urban farming through various programs and incentives to promote food self-sufficiency and reduce food miles. Urban farming in Tokyo is gaining even more popularity and recognition as a sustainable and eco-friendly practice.
We see this also in Japan!
Leaving soil naked or bare soil is called fallow, which is not conducive to soil health. In Japanese agriculture, fallow periods are still practised for various reasons, such as because it is part of traditional practices, because farmers believe that fallow helps to regenerate the soil, because farmers do not have a proper plan for good crop rotation and because many think that fallow is a sustainable practice. Fallowing and leaving the soil fallow contributes to more erosion and makes our soil sick and weak! We recommend Japanese farmers not to fallow, and leave their soil bare.