What if the soil under your feet was quietly crying out for help?
What if the soil under your feet was quietly crying out for help?
Every year on 17th June, the world observes the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought. This special day, declared by the United Nations, reminds every person on Earth that land is one of our most precious resources. Without healthy land, life as we know it simply cannot exist. From the food on our plates to the air we breathe, everything depends on soil that is alive and well.
Desertification is what happens when land that was once green and fertile slowly turns dry, bare, and unable to support plants, animals, or people. It does not only happen in faraway deserts. It can happen anywhere when trees are cut down, soil is overused, or water is wasted. Drought makes things even harder by bringing long periods with very little or no rain. Together, desertification and drought threaten the homes and food supplies of hundreds of millions of people around the world. Countries in Africa, Asia, and even parts of Australia face these serious challenges every day.
In Singapore, we may not face desertification directly, but we are deeply connected to this global problem. Much of the food we eat is imported from countries whose farmland could be affected by drought and soil loss. Singapore also works hard to protect its green spaces, parks, and waterways because we understand that a healthy environment supports healthy lives. Our leaders and students alike champion sustainability through programmes like the Singapore Green Plan 2030, which encourages everyone to play a part in caring for the Earth.
The good news is that we can all take action, no matter how young or old we are. Planting trees and plants, saving water by turning off taps, reducing food waste, and protecting soil by not littering or using harmful chemicals are all powerful steps. Scientists around the world are also developing smart ways to restore damaged land and grow food with less water. When we protect the land, we protect every living thing that depends on it — including ourselves. This 17th June, let us make a promise to be guardians of our Earth.
