Earth Day - April 22, 2026 FederBio: "Organic protects the Earth, biodiversity, and local communities"

In this direction, radically rethinking agricultural systems, orienting them toward agroecological models such as organic and biodynamic, is a fundamental step towards safeguarding the environment and the quality of production.

A recent study published in the journal Global Ecology and Conservation confirms the key role of organic farming in protecting biodiversity and natural habitats. The research highlights how organic practices, by eliminating synthetic chemicals and promoting a variety of flowering plants, make agricultural environments more favorable to pollinators and strengthen their contribution to more resilient and sustainable production systems.

The research also highlights how the surrounding landscape also benefits from the adoption of organic farming, with an increase in the quantity and variety of pollinators within a 500-meter radius: a finding that demonstrates how organic farming represents a concrete tool for supporting biodiversity and ecosystems.

The Europe-wide analysis, "Pesticide residues alter taxonomic and functional biodiversity in soils ," recently published in Nature, highlights the massive spread of pesticides in European soils: approximately 70% of the analyzed samples contained residues of these substances in quantities that significantly impact soil biodiversity. According to the study, pesticides are the second most important factor in determining the diversity of life in the subsoil, after its natural characteristics. The results show that pesticides alter biological balances, modifying the composition of microbial communities: some bacteria increase, while other key organisms are depleted, compromising fertility and agricultural productivity. The study concludes that current risk assessments need to be updated, adopting an approach that considers the entire soil community.

"In celebrating this anniversary, we cannot ignore the impact of ongoing wars which, in addition to the dramatic human toll, are accelerating the environmental crisis, compromising the lands, natural resources, and rural economies of the populations involved. This is why the fundamental priority today is to stop the war. And along with this primary objective, we must strengthen our commitment to the ecological transition to protect the planet," emphasizes Maria Grazia Mammuccini , President of FederBio. " We consume resources as if we had not one but two planets at our disposal. Intensive agriculture, along with other human activities, is generating unprecedented environmental pressures, with profound effects on ecosystem services. The consequences are now evident: degradation of natural habitats, soil impoverishment, and loss of biodiversity. This Earth Day, we want to call for shared responsibility. Today, more than ever, it is essential to accelerate the agroecological transition, supporting farms in sustainable innovation and encouraging citizens to make more informed choices. Reducing waste, choosing organic and seasonal products, and favoring local production are small, everyday gestures." that can make a difference in the fight against the effects of climate change and in the defense of our planet."