Related items
Showing items related by metadata.
-
Book (stand-alone)Technical reportGlobal assessment of soil pollution: Report 2021
Also available in:
No results found.Soil pollution is invisible to the human eye, but it compromises the quality of the food we eat, the water we drink, and the air we breathe and puts human and environmental health at risk. Most contaminants originate from human activities such as industrial processes and mining, poor waste management, unsustainable farming practices, accidents ranging from small chemical spills to accidents at nuclear power plants, and the many effects of armed conflicts. Pollution knows no borders: contaminants are spread throughout terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems and many are distributed globally by atmospheric transport. In addition, they are redistributed through the global economy by way of food and production chains. Soil pollution has been internationally recognized as a major threat to soil health, and it affects the soil’s ability to provide ecosystem services, including the production of safe and sufficient food, compromising global food security. Soil pollution hinders the achievement of many of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including those related to poverty elimination (SDG 1), zero hunger (SDG 2), and good health and well-being (SDG 3). Soil pollution hits the most vulnerable hardest, especially children and women (SDG 5). The supply of safe drinking water is threatened by the leaching of contaminants into groundwater and runoff (SDG 6). CO2 and N2O emissions from unsustainably managed soils accelerate climate change (SDG 13). Soil pollution contributes to land degradation and loss of terrestrial (SDG 15) and aquatic (SDG 14) biodiversity, and decreased the security and resilience of cities (SDG 11), among others. -
DocumentProgramme / project reportRehabilitation of degraded sites 2001This issue of Unasylva focuses on the techniques, but also the policy and social aspects, of rehabilitating particular degraded sites through forestry.
-
Book (stand-alone)General interest bookAssessment of agricultural plastics and their sustainability: A call for action 2021
Also available in:
This report presents the results of a study on agricultural plastic products used globally in a range of different value chains. The study assessed the types and quantities of plastic products, their benefits and trade-offs. Sustainable alternative products or practices were identified for products assessed as having high potential to cause harm to human and ecosystem health or having poor end-of-life management. The report is based on data derived from peer-reviewed scientific papers, governmental and non-governmental organization’s research reports, as well as from industry experts, including relevant trade bodies. The report’s recommendations were verified during extensive consultation and review with FAO and external experts. The authors hope that the study will provide an impetus for discussion about the use of agricultural plastics, their benefits and trade-offs, and ultimately stimulate action to reduce their potential for harm to human health and the environment.
Users also downloaded
Showing related downloaded files
-
Book (series)Evaluation reportFinal evaluation of ''Demonstration project for the decontamination of Persistent Organic Pesticides contaminated soils using non-thermal treatment methods''
Project code: GCP/BOT/011/GFF GEF ID: 3985
2020Also available in:
No results found.The pesticide story began in the 1980s with outbreaks of migratory pests, including locusts. Donors provided pesticides, including persistent organic pollutants (POPs), to help control outbreaks. Several storage depots were set up across the country. Some of the pesticides were not used and remained in the depots where they started to leak from their containers into the soil. Between 1995 and 2003 two projects collected over 300 tonnes from government storage depots and identified 42 tonnes of farmer-held obsolete pesticides. The stocks were taken to a warehouse in Sebele before being disposed of through high temperature incineration in 2003. From 2002 to 2012 the government started collecting empty plastic containers (EPCs) and obsolete stocks. While the accumulation of obsolete stocks had fallen through awareness of the problem raised by these projects, it was still a problem. Also, nothing had been done about the POPs contaminated soils left behind after the government depots had been cleared. The Africa Stockpiles Program continued to raise the issue of POPs contamination. 28. It was in this context, that discussions began in 2008 that led to the design and funding of this Project to deal with contaminated soils and to strengthen pesticide lifecycle management to reduce accumulation of obsolete pesticides and the risk from pesticides in general. The Project document identified “serious gaps in Botswana’s ability to control all aspects of the pesticide life cycle” including the capacity to control imports; gaps in pesticide and waste legislation; and need for improved management of pesticide registrations. -
Book (stand-alone)General interest book奇妙的世界：土壤生物多样性
全球十部儿童科普故事汇编
2023为庆祝2020年世界土壤日，联合国粮食及农业组织、国际土壤科学联合会及全球土壤伙伴关系共同发起“土壤生物多样性”儿童读物创作竞赛，为6至11岁儿童创作16页的科普故事，并将竞赛成果汇集成册。比赛共收到来自60个国家的80多份参赛作品。本书选取了十篇优秀儿童科普故事汇集成册，每则故事都以独特、风趣的方式娓娓道来，帮助儿童了解可爱的土壤生物，探索土壤世界的奥秘。 -
Book (stand-alone)Technical reportGlobal status of salt-affected soils
Main report
2024Also available in:
No results found.Salt-affected soils, characterized by high soluble salts (saline) or exchangeable sodium (sodic), impact plant growth and occur globally, especially in arid and coastal regions. Salinization stems from natural causes (e.g. climate change, sea level rise) and human actions (e.g. poor irrigation practices, excessive water use). FAO’s Global Map of Salt-Affected Soils reveals that over 1 381 million hectares, 10.7 percent of global land, are affected, with Australia, Argentina and Kazakhstan among the most impacted countries. Increasing aridity and water demand amplify soil degradation risks, particularly in developing regions.Climate change and water scarcity threaten agricultural productivity, with substantial crop yield losses observed in saline areas. Halophytes and salt-tolerant crops provide a foundation for saline agriculture, yet many salt-affected soils remain unprotected and inadequately regulated. FAO’s INSAS (International Network of Salt-Affected Soils) underscores the need for updated data, harmonized salinity measurements, and sustainable management practices, with enhanced training and policy frameworks.Mitigation strategies like improved drainage, soil amendments, and the cultivation of salt-tolerant plants are recommended. Key recommendations include scaling sustainable practices, investing in salt-tolerant crop markets, improving data collection and water quality monitoring, conserving ecosystems, and fostering cross-sector collaboration. Such integrated efforts aim to boost food production and resilience in affected regions while protecting vital ecosystems.