“The thin layer of soil that forms the patchy covering over the continents controls our own existence and that of every other animal on the land.”
–Rachel Carson, Silent Spring
Soil is the skin of the earth. Think about it: soil exchanges gases and nutrients with the air and underground living systems, just like your skin exchanges nutrients between its internal and external environments. Like skin, the soil is alive, punctuated by pores and traversed by veins carrying water underground. And like your skin, improper care can leave it dry and delicate.
Soil sustains our everyday lives. It supports the land your house or apartment is built on; it filters the water that you drink; it grows the food you eat; it regulates temperature and weather; and it provides us recreation by supporting all plant life we enjoy in our outdoor activities, from hiking to outdoor soccer. Yet, we think very little of soil as we go about our day. And our soil is in trouble across the globe.
Given the many benefits healthy soils provide to society and our environment, it is crucial that we protect them, especially in the face of global climate change, food insecurity, erosion, and water pollution, among other threats. This makes protecting and regenerating soil one of the most important duties of our generation. CFS educates and encourages policymakers to enact legislation that protects and enhances our nation’s soils.
