Systemic soil restoration—addressing land tenure, agroecology, and climate policy—could sustainably boost global food security
Original framing: “Reversing soil degradation by 10% could feed 70 million more, global analysis finds” — Phys.org
Recent meta‑analyses confirm that regenerative practices—cover cropping, reduced tillage, and organic amendments—can increase yields by 10‑30 % while sequestering carbon. However, the 10 % degradation reversal estimate in the original study rests on idealized models that omit socioeconomic constraints. Robust interdisciplinary modelling is needed to translate biophysical gains into equitable food outcomes.
Soil degradation is not merely a biophysical issue but a product of historic land dispossession, market‑driven agriculture, and climate pressures that marginalize Indigenous and smallholder voices.
By reconfiguring land tenure, realigning subsidies, and embedding climate‑smart finance, we can translate the theoretical 10 % restoration into equitable, resilient food systems. Cross‑cultural practices and artistic‑spiritual narratives provide the cultural scaffolding needed to sustain political will, while robust future modelling ensures policies remain adaptive to evolving climate realities. The trickster insight warns against complacent growth narratives, urging a shift toward sufficiency and stewardship anchored in justice.