An integral approach is required in order to adequately emphasize the important role of soils and land when we talk about the sustainable development. Sometimes most people just realize the importance of biophysical aspects, nevertheless socio-economic aspects is also indispensable for sustainable land use (Ivonne, 2013). Guatemala is one of the first countries to support the sustainable development proposal. It is really significant to attach importance to the sustainable use and management of land and soils.
Guatemala’s population has doubled in the last ten years, which is nearly 14 million right now. Unfortunately, there are probably 8 million people who still live in poor villages and more than half of people are very poor, 15 percent people among then are extremely poor. Guatemala has the fourth highest rate of chronic malnutrition in the world and the highest rate in Latin America (Ivonne, 2013). It is essential for us to notice that because of the history of structural inequality and discrimination against the poor people, Guatemala underwent a civil war about 36 years, which was eventually triggered by a 1952 land reform.
The soil and land resources in Guatemala have degenerated severely in these years, and they affect about 90 percent of Guatemala’s municipalities. Essentially, environment issues contain soil degradation and soil and water loss because people have damaged and overexploit the land. The climate cycle is damaged and environment is becoming more and more bad, which declined the sustainability of land.
These biophysical attributes are connected with the social and political factors of Guatemala. Guatemala’s land distribution is unequal, 2.5 percent of farms own almost of all agricultural land, which means the other farms could not even feed themselves (Ivonne, 2013). Land is a symbol of status and wealth in their mind, therefore, they are very sensitive for the ownership of the land and resources. These factors increase complexity to the management of sustainable soil and land.
The Guatemalan example explains the importance to match targets with the worst land issues. The current priority for soils at global level should focus on not only degradation but also the restoration of land use. Any unsustainable behaviors of land use should be stopped. The country need to allocate the land impartially and enhance the continuity of land resources.
Sources:
Ivonne, A.(2013). Let’s put soils on the global sustainable development agenda. Retrieved from http://www.rural21.com/english/a-closer-look-at/detail/article/lets-put-soils-on-the-global-sustainable-development-agenda-0000825/
