The most famous guru in the world has warned of the dangers of ignoring soil in the climate conversation, as he calls on the UK Government to commit to 3 per cent of their soil being organic.
Sadhguru, who’s real name is Jagadish Vasudev, is renowned as one of the world’s leading gurus, endeavouring to help people find their inner peace.
He began teaching yoga classes in the early 80s, but in recent years has found prominence as a leading environmentalist and now counts 13 million followers on Instagram.
Speaking to i from COP29 in Azerbaijan, Sadhguru said: “Previously it was oil, oil, oil. Now the narrative is shifting.”
He has called for an increased inclusion of soil in the narrative on climate change – something he believes has been missing from the conversation. He has been advocating for the issue as part of the Save Soil movement.
The motivations Sadhguru gives in his mission are not entirely separate to his vocation as a peace guru.
“There is substantial evidence that mental health conditions are linked to the micronutrients in food,” he told i.
“The micronutrients in food come back to the quality of the soil. The human mind is the greatest miracle on the planet, but it is becoming a source of distress.
“Human physical and mental wellbeing is being directly impacted by the soil.”
New research released from Save Soil at COP29 found that releasing 1 per cent of Europe’s soil carbon would be the equivalent of annual emissions from 1 billion cars.
Sadhguru told i he wants to see individual governments commit to 3 per cent of their soil being organic. This means soil created through the natural decomposition of plant and animal materials, rather than being pumped with pesticides.
COP29 has already greenlit carbon credit quality standards, a crucial step to launching a UN-backed global carbon market. This would fund projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, which Sadhguru believes will trickle down to his focus on soil, calling it “an important step for small farmers.”
As well as carbon credits, Sadhguru points to UN agencies using the term “soil extinction” as a win.
According to the renowned guru, the soil movement has come a long way over the last few years. He said: “At COP26 in Glasgow, soil was not mentioned once. People seemed surprised when we wanted to talk about it.
“The following year we got observer status in Egypt. Now we have a whole team here campaigning.”
“It’s a movement now, but we need to see government policies,” Sadhguru added. “I wish all the major World leaders had come to COP.”
Notable absences from the United Nations Climate Change Conference include US President Joe Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
But with more than a week still to go in Baku, Sadhguru is hopeful more can be achieved. “When the top leaders are here it’s just a photo opportunity. All the real work happens amongst their teams. Now their teams are left here, more work can happen,” he said.
Aside from tackling the climate crisis, Sadhguru believes improving soil quality could also be “the most effective way to control migration”.
He told i: “Keeping the land rich where people are is very important. Why would people drag their families away from their homeland if they had good soil to farm on and make a living where they are?”
“By 2045 it will be very cruel to live in this world if we don’t do anything about it,” Sadhguru added.
