Earth Day Special: Part 1 – Food & Land Clearing

This year, we’re celebrating Earth Day with a 4-part blog series exploring how our food choices impact the planet. If you're looking for ways to reduce your environmental footprint, the simplest place to start is with your food choices!

Part 1 (of 4): How Land Clearing Harms the Earth

Did you know that food and agriculture are the leading causes of land clearing globally? Currently, around 37% of the Earth's surface is used for agriculture. Land clearing not only strips natural flora of their vital functions but also introduces input-intensive crops that deplete the soil's nutrients, making sustainability even harder to achieve.

Habitat Destruction & Species Extinction

Land clearing for agriculture is the largest contributor to species extinction globally. Shockingly, animal agriculture accounts for 91% of Amazon rainforest destruction. Every day, approximately 110 species of animals and insects are lost due to deforestation. These ecosystems are vital for biodiversity and planetary health.

Understanding Soil Degradation

Healthy soil is one of the most complex and important organisms on the planet, yet it's easily taken for granted. Industrial farming degrades soil in two main ways:

1. Nutrient Depletion: Natural vegetation replenishes soil with nutrients and microorganisms, but industrial agriculture strips these away, requiring fertilizers or crop rotation to restore balance.
2. Erosion Vulnerability: Converting forests to agricultural land removes root systems, making soil more prone to erosion and, eventually, desertification.

Experts warn that if current soil degradation rates continue, we may have just 60 years of farming left. Fortunately, solutions such as crop rotation, no-till farming, and indoor gardening offer hope. Explore more about indoor gardening in our guide to small space indoor gardening.

The Role of Forests in Carbon and Water Storage

Native forests play a vital role in regulating resources like atmospheric carbon and water. As a major carbon sink, forests absorb vast amounts of carbon, one of the primary greenhouse gases driving climate change. They also help maintain the water cycle through transpiration, preventing areas from becoming deserts. Learn more about the critical role of forests and deforestation’s impact on global warming from National Geographic.

How You Can Help Prevent Land Clearing

One of the simplest ways to become more eco-conscious is by making thoughtful food choices. Different foods require varying amounts of resources—some necessitate significant land clearing, while others have a smaller footprint.

Organizations like GreenTrees and Taking Root are working to reverse deforestation and promote sustainable land use by offering incentive systems, like carbon credits. These initiatives help landholders restore forests and even integrate trees into agricultural fields. You can also help by growing your own organic food indoors. Check out our grow kits to get started on your journey toward more sustainable, homegrown food!