As the world’s urban population is set to swell to 68 percent by 2050, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) today issued a stark warning on World Soil Day, identifying the often-overlooked soil beneath cities as a critical, yet neglected, factor in averting future crises related to food security, pollution, and extreme weather.
The UN agency emphasized that the health of urban and rural soils is inextricably linked to the well-being of people, animals, and the environment, reinforcing the comprehensive One Health approach. With cities already housing 55 percent of the global population, the pressure on food systems and infrastructure is intensifying daily.
According to the FAO, healthy soils are the bedrock of agricultural development and ecological stability. Over 80 percent of the food consumed in urban centers originates from family farmers in rural areas who depend on fertile land. Investing in sustainable agricultural practices is therefore essential to meet the escalating food demands of expanding city populations and to safeguard farmer livelihoods.
Urban agriculture itself plays a significant, and growing, role, with city-based soils currently supplying approximately 10 percent of the world”s vegetables, legumes, and tubers. Cultivating food in urban plots, gardens, and on rooftops enhances the availability of fresh produce and creates new employment opportunities for city residents.
The organization also highlighted that healthy urban soils are a frontline defense against pollution and the impacts of a changing climate. Green spaces supported by robust soil can filter pollutants from traffic and industry, while absorbing significantly less heat than concrete, helping to lower dangerously high urban temperatures.
The FAO cautioned against the widespread practice of soil sealing-covering the ground with impervious surfaces like buildings and roads. Reversing this trend by “greening” cities can mitigate extreme weather events, as healthy soils improve water retention, reducing the risk of floods and landslides, and sequester atmospheric carbon.
Beyond environmental benefits, the connection between soil and human well-being was stressed. Urban forests, parks, and gardens are proven to improve mental health by reducing stress, anxiety, and depression, while also encouraging physical activity and fostering stronger communities.
A significant challenge identified is waste management, with urban areas generating about 70 percent of global waste. The FAO suggests that improving this process can directly benefit soils. Safely composting organic materials returns vital nutrients to the ground, supporting urban farming and creating a more sustainable cycle.
Through programs like its Green Cities Initiative (GCI), the FAO advocates for redesigning urban spaces. The agency concluded that this transformation begins with a fundamental, yet often ignored, element: the health of the very soil on which modern cities are built.