The Hidden Crisis Beneath Rising Food Prices: Soil Degradation
Canadians are grappling with soaring food prices, and politicians are busy pointing fingers—blaming the carbon tax, climate change, or grocery chains. But the real culprit is far more urgent and often overlooked: soil degradation.
A recent Senate study on soil health revealed alarming trends. Agricultural land is disappearing across Canada, with farmland shrinking by 8% between 2001 and 2021. While advanced farming techniques have boosted yields, they mask the rapid depletion of this critical resource.
From B.C.’s saltier soils in the Fraser River delta to Ontario’s declining soil organic matter, every region is facing challenges that threaten food supply and affordability. Without immediate action to preserve and restore soil health, Canadians could face even steeper food prices and greater insecurity.
Soil is the foundation of our food system—let’s start treating it that way.
Original Article