World Soil Day

World Soil Day (WSD) is observed every year on December 5 to draw attention to the importance of good soil and advocate for sustainable land resource management.

The International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS) established an international day to celebrate soil in 2002. Under the leadership of the Kingdom of Thailand and within the framework of the Global Soil Partnership, FAO supported the establishment of the WSD as a global platform. The FAO General Assembly unanimously endorsed World Soil Day in June 2013 and called for its official recognition at the 68th UN General Assembly. In December 2013, the United Nations General Assembly responded by declaring December 5, 2014 as the first International Day.

95% of the food we eat comes from our #soils.

But there are so many more reasons why we need to cherish the ground beneath our feet…#WorldSoilDay pic.twitter.com/AgWXeJvHaL

— Food and Agriculture Organization (@FAO) December 4, 2021

History About World Soil Day

The International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS) approved the World Soil Day as an initiative in 2002. This day was founded under the leadership of the Kingdom of Thailand and within the framework of the Global Soil Partnership. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations recommended the establishment of the WSD as a global communication system. 

The FAO General Assembly unanimously endorsed World Soil Day in June 2013 and called for it to be organized at the 68th United Nations General Assembly. In December 2013, the United Nations General Assembly reacted and declared December 5, 2014 as the first Earth Day.

Soil Importance

Soil health is important for good food production. It provides essential nutrients, water, oxygen and root support, all of which promote plant growth and development for food production. Soil is home to a large community of different organisms that improve soil structure, recycle important nutrients, and help control weeds, pests and diseases.

Another important aspect is that when soil is healthy, it helps to reduce climate change by retaining or increasing soil organic carbon. Soil is the foundation of the food system and where all plants for food production grow. This is why it is so important to protect the land and start a global culture that restores the land that is so important and right.

• Soil is an essential element for the survival of living things. The importance of land is mentioned below:
• Fertile soil helps plants grow and thrive. These plants produce good food, clothing, furniture and medicine.
• It supports many types of life including bacteria, fungi, algae, etc. These microbes, in turn, maintain ecological balance by retaining water and breaking down dead matter.
• The surface soil supports certain life activities such as reproduction, childbearing, nesting, feeding, etc. of a few groups.
• The nutrients in the soil increase the fertility of the soil which is responsible for the growth of plants. It also contains certain minerals and nutrients that are essential for plants to perform their cellular functions.
• Earth is used to make glass, utensils, tiles, etc. Soil materials such as gravel, clay and sand are used to build houses, roads, buildings, etc.
• Valuable minerals such as calcium, iron and other substances such as petroleum jelly are extracted for beautifying the soil. Soil absorbs rain. This water is evaporated and added to the air on a sunny day, cooling the air.

Reason why we celebrate that day

The amount of vitamins and nutrients in food has decreased dramatically over the past 70 years, and approximately two billion people worldwide suffer from micronutrient malnutrition, also known as like a hidden passion for his nature. The International Union of Soil Sciences proposed that World Soil Day be celebrated every year on December 5, 2002. In addition, FAO supported the establishment of Earth Soil Day as a platform for global awareness under a global partnership of the world, led by the Kingdom. from Thailand. In June 2013, the FAO Conference unanimously approved World Soil Day and asked the 68th UN General Assembly to formally adopt it. The 68th session of the United Nations General Assembly declared December 5 as World Earth Day in December 2013. On December 5, 2014, the first Earth Day was celebrated.

Theme of World Soil Day

On December 5, 2014, the first official ceremony was held for World Soil Day. Land experts, politicians and many other prominent people participated in the event. They met at the headquarters of the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) in Rome, Italy, to organize a meeting. This year’s main goal is to educate people outside the country. The FAO Secretary made a few remarks at the beginning of the conference, which was very useful. “Communities can contribute to efforts for food security, eradication of hunger, adaptation to climate change, poverty reduction and sustainable development.”

The next year, 2015, is a very important year for the country. The theme for Earth Day 2015 (held on December 5) is “Healthy Soils for Healthy Lives”.

This year, the importance of soil in food security and the important ecosystem processes it plays have been highlighted. Land plays a major role in ensuring our well-being; they are also important contributors to nature and its children. It prevents the death of various species of life, the loss of water, and especially the death of trees. In 2015, Earth Day was celebrated by more than 60,000 scientists who worked hard to spread knowledge about Earth.

In 2016, the theme is “Land and soil: a symbiosis for life”. At this time, more than 70 countries participated in this program all over the world, and many new and exciting things happened. The title of this article is due to the relationship between the previous year, and 2016 is the International Year of Pulses.

A book with the same title as the FAO article has been published “Influenza & Pulses: Symbiosis for Life”. It promoted the ideas of new thinkers and scientists who expressed the symbiosis management between soil and plants.

The 2017 theme for Earth Day is “Caring for Earth Starts from the Ground Up”. This year, for the first time, New York and Nairobi are the cities to be celebrated, along with Rome. Events were organized in Santiago and Moscow.

Another appendix is ​​the World Map of Soil Organic Carbon. 177 countries have adopted the UN EA3 resolution on land pollution control.

Last year, 2020, the theme was “Keeping the Earth Alive, Protecting Earth’s Biodiversity”. Today, Earth Day has attracted more attention and is celebrated in 105 countries. A total of 780 events took place across the country, and many major newspapers published stories about the event. It was estimated that 820 million people knew the importance of December 5 through these newspapers. This, along with the involvement of many celebrities and consumers, has resulted in over 350 million people engaging on social media and WSD alone. Earth Day 2020 is, by far, the most important and well-known day in the world. The topics for the year 2021 and 2022 are given below.

World Soil Day 2022: Fun Facts

• 95% of our food comes from the ground.
  
  There are more organisms in a tablespoon of soil than people on earth. 18 natural chemical elements important for plants. 
• Provision 15. Agricultural production will need to increase by 60% to meet global food needs by 2050.
• Up to 58% more food can be produced through sustainable land management. Earth Day 2022:
• Good soil is the foundation of all life on the planet. If we do not address the immediate need to conserve our natural resources, food security will be seriously threatened. Land is not our property;
• it has come down to us as a heritage, and we will pass it on to future generations.
  
  
• The Save Soil movement is a loving relationship with the world and life around us, not a fight against anyone. A land with rich soil and abundant water is the best gift we can give to future generations.
  
  
• Soil is the best climate on earth. Through the restoration of agricultural practices, soil can become an effective regulator of climate change.
  

Significance

Land degradation, resulting from salinization and sodification of soil, is a threat to the environment and poses a threat to agricultural production, food security and global sustainability. Therefore, Earth Day is important in advocating for the long-term management of land resources.