Joining forces, crossing boundaries and changing society to conserve our soils - World Congress of Soil Science speech by His Royal Highness, The Prince of Wales

Joining forces, crossing boundaries and changing society to conserve our soils

At the 22nd World Congress of Soil Science 2022 in Glasgow “soilists” from diverse backgrounds and cultures all joint forces to lead new ways of thinking, better solutions and faster progress.

Crossing boundaries, changing society - royalty, scientists, politicians, policymakers, farmers and industry shared data, experiences, and knowledge, taking a bird’s eye view, looking beyond their own agendas, to shape the present and future and find workable solutions to conserve our soils.

His Royal Highness, The Prince of Wales closed the congress with a powerful and poignant address, reiterating the importance of soil management for the future of our planet.

“Soil is an asset most often overlooked, degraded and polluted, yet healthy living soil can securely feed growing populations with a nutritious and varied diet, mitigate the effects of climate change and provide water and flood management. Indeed, soil is absolutely critical for delivering the ecosystem services on which we all rely on. So, it is high time, as this congress has recognised, that such an extraordinary, if not miraculous living organic system, so disastrously degraded by industrialised agriculture, receives the proper attention it deserves to restore it to full strength... Now I do not need to tell you ladies and gentlemen that the timing of this conference could not have been more apropos,,, Our management of soils depends on recognising a diversity of views and cultures across the globe. In sharing knowledge and connecting with each other to advance the solutions to critical global issues, we will have made a real difference to the future sustainability of our soils, to overall human health and thus to the future of our planet.”Quote from the World Congress of Soil Science speech by His Royal Highness, The Prince of Wales

Help us give soil a voice,  to receive the transcript and the full video recording of the speech, please email media@soils.og.uk.