联合国秘书长潘基文2014年世界土壤日暨国际土壤年启动仪式致辞（中英对照）

Message on World Soil Day at the Launch of the International Year of Soils

世界土壤日暨国际土壤年启动仪式致辞

5 December 2014

2014年12月5日

Today marks the first observance of World Soil Day and the launch of the International Year of Soils (2015).

今天我们首次举办世界土壤日活动，同时启动国际土壤年（2015年）。

Without healthy soils, life on earth would be unsustainable. Soils are the foundation of agriculture. They provide vital ecosystem services and the basis for food, feed, fuel, fibre and medical products important for human well-being.

没有健康的土壤，地球上的生命则不可持续。土壤是农业之本，提供了不可或缺的生态系统服务，也是粮食、饲料、燃料、纤维以及与人类福祉密切相关的医疗产品来源。

Soil is also the largest pool of organic carbon, which is essential for mitigating and adapting to climate change. In an era of water scarcity, soils are fundamental for its appropriate storage and distribution.

土壤还是最大的有机碳库，对于减缓和适应气候变化至关重要。而在缺水的当今时代，土壤对水的适当存储和分配也具有根本意义。

However, soil degradation is a rapidly increasing problem in all parts of the world. Some 33 per cent of global soils are already degraded through urbanization. Soil erosion, nutrient depletion, salinity, aridification and contamination are additional threats.

然而，世界各地土壤退化都是一个迅速恶化的问题。全球约33％的土壤已经因城镇化而退化。而水土流失、养分耗竭、盐碱化、干旱化和污染又带来更多的威胁。

For too long the world has taken soils for granted. But soil is a natural resource that is not easily renewed. Sustainable soil management should be a priority for all.

很久以来，全世界都误以为土壤取之不尽用之不竭。但实际上，土壤是一种难以再生的自然资源。对于可持续土壤管理，人人都应予以重视。

I welcome the establishment of the Global Soil Partnership by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. FAO’s World Soil Charter recommends a number of key measures to encourage investment in sustainable soil management as a sound and affordable alternative to restoration and rehabilitation.

我欢迎联合国粮食及农业组织建立全球土壤伙伴关系。粮农组织的《世界土壤宪章》建议采取若干关键措施，鼓励对可持续土壤管理进行投资，将之作为一种不同于土壤恢复和重建的、妥善且负担得起的办法。

On World Soil Day, let us pledge to do more to protect this important yet forgotten resource.  A healthy life is not possible without healthy soils.

值此世界土壤日之际，让我们承诺加倍努力保护这一重要却被忽视的资源。没有健康的土壤，何来健康的生活！