How does plant health protect us from hunger?
How does plant health protect us from hunger?
Plant health is a topic that makes us realize that there is a hidden language vibrant in every corner of our planet. It is the language of plants that speak to us through their colors, their fragrance, and even through their silence when they are exposed to harm. These green creatures are the basis of life above the surface of the Earth. They provide us with food and produce oxygen, yet this first line of defense for the planet faces increasing threats from pests, diseases, and climate change.
For this importance, the world dedicates an international day to plant health. To be a global call to re-listen to the call of the Earth, and to recognize the role of plants in protecting our collective future. Hence,Earth Guardsin this article will address the topic of plant health in light of the celebration of International Plant Health Day; So keep reading.
Plant health at the forefront
On May 12 of every year, the world pauses in contemplation before the lung of life and the silent voice of nature: plants. This is through the United Nations Declaration, which made this day an International Day for Plant Health. The Commission not only honored plants, but also issued a global warning calling for a rethink of agricultural, food, and environmental systems.
This is not a passing environmental celebration, but rather a vital extension of the International Year declared by the United Nations in 2020. In order to shed light on plant diseases and pests that consume more than 40% offood crops annually.
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) was not far from this trend, as it stressed that protecting plants is a strategic necessity to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), most notably the second goal: the complete elimination of hunger. This indirectly explainsHow is plant health defined?Healthy plants are those plants that have the ability to achieve the highest rates of growth and production in the face of environmental pressures and agricultural pests.
Agriculture and Planetary Health
The truth is that 80% of our food and 98% of the oxygen we breathe comes from plants, and despite this crucial role, plants are exposed to daily attacks from merciless pests and diseases, and the danger of these climate changes and random human activities increases them.
As humans move in search of profit and well-being, invisible crises move with them, hitting food supply chains and weakening the Earth’s ability to give. As environmental disturbances increase – such as desertification and forest fires – pests find a fertile environment to reproduce, leaving behind empty fields, farmers and entire agricultural communities on the brink of bankruptcy.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Awareness
Phytosanitary is the core of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development; Plant health is directly linked to many of these 17 goals, such as ending hunger, climate action, living on land, clean water, and others. Therefore, FAO stresses the need to invest in implementing innovative ideas and using technology to proactively monitor agricultural pests early and develop effective strategies to protect these plants.
In addition to using technology, we must enhance people’s awareness of the importance of sustainable agriculture, which is the awareness role thatEarth Guardsplays in all its sustainable activities. All of these efforts – awareness efforts and technological efforts – are global recommendations followed, as confirmed by the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), which says: We need advanced monitoring systems, strict global health standards, and community awareness networks that ignite a green revolution that defends plants as we defend ourselves.
This is because plants provide systems rich in nutrients for humans and animals, and achieve food security that guarantees all peoples’ ability to withstand climate challenges, which have become more severe in recent years.
An international conference that unites efforts
In 2022, the first International Phytosanitary Conference was launched in London, jointly organized by FAO and the UK Government, in an attempt to bring together decision-makers, experts and academics under one roof. The goal was clear: to establish cross-border partnerships; In order to confront the threat of agricultural pests, and to resist the erosion of agricultural production.
The conference came to establish new foundations upon which the principles of healthy governance for plants are based, which are principles based on innovation and enhance the capabilities of developing countries in confronting agricultural threats, especially in light of the weakness of resources, water scarcity, and soil degradation.
In conclusion,Earth Guardsemphasizes the importance of rearranging our priorities and giving plants the status they deserve as the first line of defense for humans and their food. Therefore, it continues its awareness campaign to restore respect for plants, and this is a renewed declaration of its commitment to spreading awareness about how to make our future green.
