Soil sustains food production, clean water, biodiversity and climate regulation, yet its protection remains fragmented and receives insufficient political attention. We established Aroura, the Soil and Soil Security Think Tank, to help close this gap by bringing soil science together with law, economics, policy and public engagement.
We describe how Aroura emerged from the inaugural Global Soil Security Summit, held in Sydney in October 2024, with experts from six continents. The meeting produced three outcomes: the think tank, a Soil Security Declaration and guiding principles for soil policy. These provide a foundation for collaboration and advocacy.
Our approach considers five connected dimensions: capacity, what soil can inherently do; condition, its present state; capital, its value; connectivity, people’s knowledge and relationships with soil; and codification, the rules governing its protection and use. Together, these dimensions connect scientific assessment with the social and institutional conditions needed for lasting improvements.
We pursue three objectives: raising awareness, developing practical solutions and strengthening international collaboration. Through research, accessible communication and partnerships, we aim to help governments, industries and communities make informed decisions. Our work connects an international expert panel with a secretariat that coordinates research, communication and activities.
We argue that securing soil requires shared responsibility, fair participation and sustained commitment across generations. We advocate stronger policies and legal protection, including efforts towards a global soil convention. This paper sets out our purpose, organisation and achievements, while inviting wider participation in translating knowledge into action that protects soil and the benefits it provides to society.
