Table of Contents
Impact of Overuse of Fertilizers on Soil Health
The speaker begins by drawing an analogy between human consumption of medicine and the overuse of fertilizers on soil. He compares taking excessive medication to the way fertilizers have been applied to the land since the early 20th century. Fertilizers initially boosted crop yields, leading to significant increases in production. However, over time, this method has led to negative consequences for the soil.
Shift in Agricultural Practices
Early scientists treated soil as an inert substance that could be “fixed” with chemicals. This perspective still exists in many agricultural ministries worldwide. The speaker emphasizes that soil is a living system, the most complex on the planet. Despite this, there has been a lack of awareness and action regarding the soil’s health. Governments tend to focus on short-term results due to their limited term durations, usually four or five years. As a result, long-term initiatives for soil health are often neglected.
Democratic Nations and Short-Term Focus
The speaker highlights that governments are not elected to carry out long-term projects but to meet immediate demands. Voters in democratic nations rarely express concern for long-term policies aimed at the future well-being of the country and its citizens. The speaker mentions that no country has seen the majority of its adult population stand up for long-term initiatives.
The Save Soil Movement
The “Save Soil” movement aims to address this gap by mobilizing around 60% of the global electorate. The speaker emphasizes the need for public awareness, stating that when a significant portion of the population voices concern, governments and political parties will be forced to act. He also cites United Nations reports stating that the current food being consumed belongs to future generations, specifically the unborn.
Human Responsibility and Response
The speaker discusses the importance of human responsibility and willingness to act. He argues that even if capabilities are lacking, willingness to respond is the first step toward making changes. The current generation has a unique opportunity to prevent further biodiversity loss. If action is not taken within the next 10 to 15 years, it could become nearly impossible to reverse the damage.
Global Consequences of Inaction
If soil degradation continues at its current pace, it could lead to a crisis worse than war, threatening both human civilization and the essence of humanity itself. Sadhguru explains that without food security, society will collapse, and all achievements will become meaningless. He warns that if no action is taken within the next few decades, the loss of biodiversity will accelerate, making recovery extremely difficult.
Citizen Responsibility and the Role of Technology
Sadhguru encourages citizens to use both their vote and their voice to demand changes in government policies. He highlights that modern technology allows individuals to communicate across the globe, making this the best time in history to mobilize for global change.
The Save Soil movement urges people to speak up about soil health, emphasizing that this is not about supporting an individual but about securing the future for everyone.
Role of Government Policy
Sadhguru stresses that without enshrining soil health in government policy, any individual efforts will be unsustainable in the long run. He advocates for policies that ensure a minimum level of organic content in agricultural soil to support microbial life.
This, in turn, will sustain the broader ecosystem and human life. Sadhguruencourages people to educate themselves through available resources, including the Save Soil website, and to take part in spreading awareness.
A Call to Action
Sadhguru concludes by urging young people and future generations to take responsibility for the future. Sadhguru points out that those in positions of influence today must act to ensure a sustainable environment for children. Sadhguru stresses that addressing soil degradation is a shared responsibility and must be prioritized to prevent a global crisis.
