The treasure beneath our feet
World Soil Day is celebrated worldwide on 5th December. This day reminds us how essential healthy soils are to our lives. Soils are more than just ‘earth’ – they are the basis of our food supply, they store water, bind carbon and are home to billions of microorganisms, insects and plants. Without fertile soil, there would be no biodiversity, no agriculture and no effective climate protection.
Why is this important?
• Soil protects the climate: it stores large amounts of CO₂ and thus helps to slow down climate change.
• Soil stores water: healthy soil absorbs rain and prevents flooding.
• Soil is a habitat: a teaspoon of soil contains more living organisms than there are people on Earth!
Allotments as guardians of the soil
Allotments are true sanctuaries for our soil. While more and more land in cities is being sealed, allotments remain green islands that preserve and nurture the soil. They are places where sustainable soil use is put into practice:
• Natural cycles instead of waste: Allotment gardeners compost organic waste and return nutrients to the soil. This creates humus, which improves the soil structure and maintains fertility.
• Diversity instead of monoculture: Allotments are colourful – vegetable beds, fruit trees, flowers and shrubs alternate. This diversity promotes active soil life and protects against soil erosion.
• No chemicals: Many allotment gardeners rely on organic methods and do not use pesticides or artificial fertilisers. This protects not only the soil, but also the groundwater and biodiversity.
• Habitat for soil organisms: Earthworms, microorganisms and fungi find ideal conditions in gardens that are cultivated in a natural way. They loosen the soil, improve water absorption and ensure a stable ecosystem.
• Climate protection on a small scale: Healthy soil in allotments stores carbon and thus contributes to the reduction of greenhouse gases. Every square metre counts!
Allotments are therefore not only places of relaxation, but also important partners in the fight against climate change and species loss. They show how soil protection works in everyday life – right on our doorstep.
What can we do?
• Create compost and maintain it properly
• Do not dig the soil unnecessarily in order to preserve soil life
• Mulch to retain moisture and prevent erosion
• Avoid chemical fertilisers and pesticides
World Soil Day is an invitation to appreciate the soil – because it is the basis of all life. Every allotment is a piece of the future: for us, for nature and for the climate.
https://www.fao.org/world-soil-day/en/
Allotments as pioneers of sustainability
The European Week for Waste Reduction is an initiative that takes place every year in November and raises awareness of the responsible use of resources. The aim is to prevent waste before it is created – through smart everyday decisions, sustainable consumption habits and creative solutions.
Allotments play a key role in this. They are not only places of relaxation but also centres for environmentally conscious action. Here, the circular economy is put into practice:
• Composting instead of waste – garden waste is turned into valuable humus that nourishes the soil and replaces chemical fertilisers.
• Home-grown produce instead of packaging waste – fruit and vegetables from your own garden reduce plastic packaging and transport distances.
• Upcycling and reuse – old materials are turned into new beds, climbing aids or decorative elements.
In addition, allotment gardens promote biodiversity and contribute to climate protection: every square metre of green space binds CO₂, provides habitat for insects and supports local biodiversity.
European Waste Reduction Week invites all allotment gardeners to showcase their ideas:
• Compost workshops
• Plant and seed exchanges
• Campaigns to reduce plastic in the garden
This is how a small garden can make a big contribution to a sustainable future.
Attached you will find the resolution adopted by the NGOs participating in the Committee on Environmental and Health Crises of the Conference of INGOs of the Council of Europe as a contribution to the summit currently taking place in Belém (Brazil).
The summit addresses challenges that are difficult to solve without joint commitment.
