World Soil Day
World Soil Day is a day to focus on the importance of healthy soil and advocate for the sustainable management of soil resources. The date corresponds with the official birthday of the late H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej, King of Thailand, who was one of the main proponents of this initiative.
World Soil Day is celebrated every year on December 5th. The day was established in 2002 by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) to raise awareness of soil’s importance and promote sustainable soil management.
Soil is a vital part of the Earth’s ecosystem. It provides a home for plants and animals, helps to regulate the water cycle and stores carbon. Soil is also a major source of food and fibre. However, soil is under threat from a number of factors, including erosion, pollution, and climate change.
See also: Soil Health for Carbon Storage and Better Food.
World Soil Day is an opportunity to learn about the importance of soil and to take action to protect it.
How to celebrate:
- Get educated about soil.
- Watch soil-themed movies, including Kiss the Ground, Symphony of the Soil, The Biggest Little Farm, and Laguna Blanca.
- Plant a rain garden – a shallow depression in the yard or garden that rainwater can easily flow into, which helps reduce soil erosion and promotes healthier soil.
- Create a compost pile in your backyard.
- Advocate for healthy soil.
- Choose local, seasonal produce, which increases the demand for a wide variety of agricultural products.
Fun Facts:
- It takes more than 1000 years to grow 0.4 inches of soil.
- In 2015, the 68th UN General Assembly declared the year the International Year of Soils.
- Eighteen naturally occurring chemical elements are essential to plants. Soils supply 15.
- About 33% of the global soils are already degraded, and over 90% could become degraded by 2050.
- Soil nutrient loss is a major soil degradation process threatening nutrition and is recognized as among the most critical problems at a global level for food security and sustainability.
#WorldSoilDay
