Soil pollution and Deforestation…What does this have to do with me?

Soil pollution and Deforestation…What does this have to do with me?

Just like many other forms of nature, soil also suffers from pollution. We depend on produce from the earth for sustenance and it all stems from the part which is rarely seen, the soil.  With the presence of man made elements, it is now very difficult to keep the planet’s soil healthy and beautiful. Natural waste from dead plants and animals help in maintaining balance in the ecosystem while man made waste is full of chemicals and cause soil pollution to occur. Soil pollution is caused mainly by the use of pesticides and various other chemicals which tend to mix with the natural materials and cause harm to the earth and in turn to living organisms. It is the farmers’ responsibility to make sure that harmless amounts of chemicals are being introduced in planting. Farmers use the setting of deliberate forest fires as a land clearing tool, which causes deforestation. This method eventually leads to soil degradation and in turn pollution. Particles become loose on the land and are easily carried away by wind or water. This is how the soil looses it important nutrients and structure. The effects of soil pollution can be very harsh to plants, animals and humans. This is our main source for food and it is our responsibility to save our fertile lands and not let it be destroyed. In urban areas especially, land is not taken care of properly and is treated without importance. This was seen as shown in the picture below where fires were being lit along the highway indiscriminately. This shows how much the land is important to the urban settings. The generation of today has to practice sustainable agriculture in order for food supply to continue in the future.

Further readings can be done on how you can achieve sustainable agriculture by utilizing proper techniques for farming on this website:

http://www.motherearthnews.com/organic-gardening/building-fertile-soil-zmaz03jjzgoe.aspx

This photograph was taken by the Gasparillo bypass, on the North bound lane. The picture to the top shows indiscriminate lighting of fires very close to houses. While the bottom photograph shows how the soil is left after the fires are passed.