China's fight against soil pollution

Soil pollution caused by human activities in China threatens agricultural productivity, food safety, and human health ([ 1 ][1], [ 2 ][2]). The Chinese government has taken a series of measures, including the Soil Contamination Prevention and Control Action Plan ([ 2 ][2]), to combat soil pollution ([ 3 ][3]). Recently, the country took another positive step by passing the Law on Soil Pollution Prevention and Control, legislation that was 12 years in the making ([ 4 ][4]). The new law will help to promote soil conservation in China in several ways ([ 5 ][5]). First, the law clarifies who is responsible for soil pollution and provides a framework for holding those people or entities accountable. Second, targets for soil pollution levels will be put in place, and regular evaluations will determine whether local governments are meeting the targets. Third, China will conduct a nationwide soil condition census at least once every 10 years and will set up several national soil environmental monitoring stations that will share relevant information in real time. Fourth, a list of toxic and hazardous substances will be published. Governments at all levels will use the list to establish management regulations to prevent soil pollution. Finally, China will increase investment in soil pollution control and establish a funding system for soil pollution prevention. Despite these improvements to soil pollution policies, there is still a long way to go. First, China should strengthen its soil pollution prevention and control by streamlining soil, air, and water pollution efforts through consistent legislation. China should also explicitly state its ecological protection and environmental quality goals, as well as the limits to resource use necessary to meet those goals. In addition, China should set the phased targets of soil pollution prevention to meet the strategic requirements of its ecological civilization construction and rural revitalization. Finally, China's soil pollution has multiple sources, and the type and degree of pollution vary across regions. China must tailor its strategies to account for these differences. 1. [↵][6]1. N. Rodriguez-Eugenio, 2. M. McLaughlin, 3. D. Pennock , “Soil pollution: A hidden reality” (Food and Agriculture Organization, 2018). 2. [↵][7]1. J. Wang, 2. Q. Hu, 3. X. Wang, 4. X. Li, 5. X. J. Yang , Science 354, 562 (2016). [OpenUrl][8][FREE Full Text][9] 3. [↵][10]1. R. Chen, 2. A. De Sherbinin, 3. C. Ye, 4. G. Shi , Science 344, 691 (2014). [OpenUrl][11][FREE Full Text][12] 4. [↵][13]1. Y. Wei , “The land defense campaign introduces the Law on Soil Pollution Prevention and Control and sets up funding for soil prevention,” The 21st Century Business Herald (2018); [in Chinese]. 5. [↵][14]Xinhuanet, “The Law on Soil Pollution Prevention and Control of the P.R. China,” [Xinhua.net][15] (2018); [www.xinhuanet.com/2018-09/01/c_129944871.htm][16] [in Chinese]. 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