100 days 30000 km: Jaggi Vasudev is on a mission to save soil

“Soil is the only magic where if you bury death, it sprouts life. We have come from this soil, we eat of this soil and when we die, we get back to the soil.” – Sadhguru

One of India’s most well-known spiritual gurus is undertaking a 100-day motorcycle journey from London to India in order to raise awareness of one of nature’s most undervalued assets: SOIL.

Sadhguru, also known as Jaggi Vasudev, will embark on a 30,000km (18,600-mile) journey around Europe and the Middle East on Monday in an effort to “save soil,” meeting celebrities, environmentalists, and influencers in dozens of nations along the way.

The journey is part of his #SaveSoil campaign, which urges governments to prioritise soil regeneration. According to the UN, one-third of the world’s soil has deteriorated, and more than 90 percent might be damaged by 2050. UN’s fight against desertification shows that it can take 1,000 years to generate a few millimetres of soil.

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“I’m not a scientist, I’m not an environmentalist. I belong to the land, not to the lab, but I know there’s a soil crisis so I’m talking to as many heads of state, politicians, leaders, top scientists and influencers [as possible]”

Sadhguru

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So far, 14 countries have signed a memorandum of understanding to work jointly to ensure global soil health, including Barbados, Guyana, and Dominica. Sadhguru hopes that as he bikes through Europe, more of the UN’s 193 member states will join him.

However, policy change cannot be too prescriptive, according to Sadhguru, so the #SaveSoil movement, which is supported by global organisations such as the UN Convention to Combat Desertification and the World Food Programme, allows farmers to decide how best to restore more organic content to the soil.

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“These 100 days, every one of you, at least for 5-10 minutes say something about soil. This is important. The whole world should speak of soil for 100 days.”

Sadhguru, Save Soil Movement

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Soil can be improved by adding cover crops and more vegetation, as well as plant litter and animal waste. Increased organic matter enhances soil structure, aids in water retention, minimises erosion, and increases biodiversity. More bacteria are found in a teaspoon of healthy soil than there are people on the earth. Healthier soils produce more nutritious food and more climate-resilient landscapes that can withstand extreme weather events like floods.

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