Healthy soil is frequently ignored, despite being just as important for life on land as clean air and water. Many people still view it simply as a resource to be used, rather than a living system that supports our daily lives. This lack of public appreciation often means that there is very little discussion about soil in everyday life, which can make it more difficult to pass laws that protect it. Furthermore, soil barely receives attention in schools.

To address this, experts use the term soil literacy, which means having the awareness and practical knowledge needed to make good decisions that enhance soil health. The European Union is currently working to set up 100 Living Labs by 2030 to promote sustainable land and soil management. However, the current lack of public understanding remains a major barrier. To create actual impact, information about soil needs to connect directly with people's existing values, such as their interest in good-quality food, beautiful landscapes, and personal health.

In that regard, the SOLO Soil Literacy Think Tank has published a roadmap to identify the main research gaps regarding public awareness to help researchers and policymakers find better ways to support the future of soil protection.

For the full document, check out https://journal.soils4europe.eu/article/149268/.