Join the Save Soil Walkathon

by Alison Calloway

Healthy living soil is the basis of all life-making processes and is critical in sustaining humanity and all other life forms on Earth. Healthy living soil is responsible for strengthening food security, securing farmer livelihoods, protecting water resources, biodiversity and air quality, and building climate resilience in the agricultural sector. In sum, healthy soil is the bedrock of societies across the globe. Unfortunately, soil degradation is increasing worldwide. It is estimated that 40% of global land has already degraded, and 90% of Earth's topsoil is at risk to be degraded by 2050.

Conscious Planet, Save Soil is a global movement to address the soil crisis by uniting people across the globe to stand up for soil health while supporting leaders of all nations in creating policies toward increasing organic matter in agricultural soil. It is supported by many leading international organizations such as the United Nations Con (UNCCD), UN Food and Agriculture Organization (UN FAO), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), International Union for Conservation and Nature (IUCN), and the UN World Food Programme (UN WFP).

Although Save Soil's on the ground support for farmers and policy advocacy for governments has spanned over three decades, it was officially launched by Sadhguru in 2022 to draw attention to the soil crisis. Sadhguru is an Indian guru, yogi, and mystic, and he is the founder of the Isha Foundation based in Coimbatore, India. The foundation, established in 1992, operates an ashram and yoga center that carries out educational and spiritual activities.

In 2022, Sadhguru undertook an arduous 100 day, 30,000 km lone motorcycle journey covering 27 countries across Europe, Central Asia, Middle East and India. He met with leaders and citizens in each country to advocate for soil health policies, including an increase in organic matter to a minimum of 3-6% based on regional conditions.

In March 2022, when Sadhguru began his motorcycle journey, walkathons were held in cities across the country, including Washington D.C,. to celebrate the launching of the Save Soil Movement. This year, in celebration of Earth Day, and with an expression of concern for our well-being and that of our children and future generations, more walkathons will be happening in Canada and in cities across the United States.  

Please come to the "Save Soil Walkathon for Children" on April 18, 10 am-1:30 pm, at The Washington Monument for a fun and impactful way to celebrate Earth Day! To register:

savesoil.org/walkathon