We might have taken things for granted
The miracle of seeds growing into food.
In the last part of the trilogy I published last year: Backwards, there is a scene in which the importance of having access and being able to sow seeds, is outlined as highly valuable. More valuable than gold even, and a matter of life and death. Especially after a Third War, where survival and rebuilding a new society is a daily struggle. It’s not a long scene, casually blended into the daily tasks and lives of the survivors, but its significance is more important than it may appear.
Svalbard Global Seed Vault
Back to reality; It is not without reason that somewhere, way up north, 1300 kilometers beyond the Arctic Circle, in Svalbard, you can find the largest secured seed storage with seeds from all over the world. They are kept in a safe environment and are regularly restocked for long-term storage. Like a treasure chest, except, in my Backwards Novel, the seeds are metaphorically stored in an old ammo box, but that’s beside the point.
In these times, I think we should be grateful that the Norwegian government is funding this huge task and taking full responsibility for it. It's a comforting thought that if, for whatever disastrous reason, seeds and crops become unavailable, there is always a supply somewhere to try again. Assuming we can continue to transport and share the supplies and seeds needed. (*swallows in dystopian*).
But what if the soil isn’t suitable anymore?
What if the soil in which the seeds should be sown and transplanted, is no longer suitable due to drought, flooding, or pollution? Concerning the philosophy of "taking things for granted," in which many people simply assume that everything will always be available, the first signs of certain weather changes are already visible. We simply can’t keep denying that it doesn’t influence crops and harvests, as the first signs of reduced food availability are already a fact. Some crop planting calendars have already been adjusted in certain countries, causing plant species and sowing seasons to shift, but again, that's the easy part. We, humans, can adapt to a certain point, but the concerns and warning signals are, that soil is failing across the world.
A football field of soil is eroded every five seconds
A National Geographic article once described it as; “a football field of soil is eroded every five seconds, and it is estimated that by 2050 about 90 percent of the Earth's soil will be degraded." Some reasons are part of a natural process but we can’t deny that human activity is accelerating it. The way our society has become accustomed to certain ways of farming, deforestation, the use of fertilizers and pesticides, and overplowing the soil turns out to be damaging to the soil’s biodiversity as well. All these factors indirectly impact healthy soil and that is without mentioning the obvious climate change effects and the struggle to maintain healthy carbon levels. I don't think it’s necessary to remind ourselves that without healthy and fertile soil, we cannot survive. These are the most essential reasons to cherish the soil with everything within our means, apart from the importance of storage and safekeeping of seeds.
Agroforestry and Vertical Farming to the rescue
Back to growing crops for food security. Because, while we focus on how to keep the soil healthy, right next to the air that we breathe, humanity is adapting. The rise of organic farming and agroforestry, where a triangle is created between trees, crops, and animals is a great development with a lot of potential. In addition, vertical and hydroponic agriculture, both techniques for growing plants using a water-based nutrient solution, are being executed and developed as we speak and are considered interesting solutions for the future.
But since the high energy consumption, high start-up costs, limitation of growing a variety of crops, and lack of pollination from implementing these concepts will always remain a challenge, perhaps we shouldn't be betting on one horse. If we want to continue to witness (and survive) the privileged miracle of how a tiny seed develops into an edible plant, with all the healthy benefits, we must both treat and cherish the soil it needs to grow.
Grow your own food for awareness
What can we do in the meantime? In addition to, of course, supporting all efforts to prevent our soil from becoming infertile and polluted? Well, it’s pretty obvious actually. To gain more awareness and knowledge about how our food actually grows, and, why not, out of respect for how nature provides us with food, consider trying to grow your own! Even on a balcony, you can create a little garden and try to grow some tomatoes or herbs. Or, by using the hydroponic way, grow your own salad. Experiment with growing food from scratch. By sprinkling those tiny seeds from the sack, onto the palm of your hand and putting them, one by one, carefully under a layer of soil and wait for the magic to happen. Take it one step further and try to motivate others to do the same. It’s a wonderful way to come to appreciate and witness the miracle of seeds growing our food, and perhaps the best way to realize we shouldn’t take it for granted.
Thank you for reading,
Mo.
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