In a statement, the multilateral organization regreted that by 2050, 90% of the planet’s emerged lands could lose their physical, chemical, biological and ecological qualities.

Such a scenario would seriously affect biodiversity and human life, stressed UNESCO’s director general, Audrey Azoulay.

The organization’s leader shared the warning message in the context of the International Conference on the Importance of Soil, which is being held in the Moroccan city of Agadir.

Azoulay insisted on the fundamental role of soils for the maintenance of life and that too often their contributions are not taken into account or are poorly managed.

According to UNESCO, the contributions of soils include the preservation of ecosystems and biodiversity, climate regulation, food production and water purification.

However, the World Atlas of Desertification shows that 75% of the land has already been degraded. Among the measures proposed by the organization, actions discussed in Agadir, the establishment of a “global soil health index” stands out.

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