JULIA Roberts is getting dirty with the aim of helping agriculture.
The Academy Award winner and star of such films as Pretty Woman and Mystic Pizza, has become the latest in a line of international VIPs to call for action to protect soils.
The Hollywood actress has become the newest face of the Save Our Soils initiative, following in the footsteps of several dedicated environmentalists including the Dalai Lama, Bishop Desmond Tutu, activist Vandana Shiva and conservationist Douglas Tompkins.
Ms Roberts, along with Australia's own Andre Leu, president of IFOAM - Organics International, spoke at the Celebrating Soil! Celebrating Life! Conference in Amsterdam last month.
Highlighting the significance of soils for a sustainable future, Mr Leu said by building soil organic matter, farming systems can be made much more resilient and better adapted to climate extremes and climate change.
"We also know that in the process of doing so, we can sequester a significant amount of CO2 even to the point where we can start looking at reversing the impact of climate change," he said.
Welcoming the support of Julia Roberts, Organic Ambassador Volkert Engelsman, who initiated the Save Our Soils campaign said the group wants to support growers to develop sustainable farming practices and save soil fertility.
"Likewise, we want to encourage consumers to buy sustainably farmed organic food and be conscious of production methods," he said.
"There can be no sustainability without transparency. Saving the world's soils is essential not just for our wellbeing, but for the survival of future generations."
