Keep soil alive, protect soil biodiversity
Plants nurture a whole world of creatures in the soil, that in return feed and protect the plants. This diverse community of living organisms keeps the soil healthy and fertile. This vast world constitutes soil biodiversity and determines the main biogeochemical processes that make life possible on Earth.
This year, by addressing the increasing challenges of soil management, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) campaign "Keep soil alive, protect soil biodiversity" aims to raise awareness of the importance of sustaining healthy ecosystems and human well-being. By encouraging people around the world to engage in proactively improving soil health, the campaign also aims to fight soil biodiversity loss. If we do not act soon, the fertility of soil will continue to be adversely affected at an alarming rate, threatening global food supplies and food safety.
Encouraging all people to participate, FAO has created a thematic website full of information, initiatives and material to spread the message through different multimedia platforms.
Background
World Soil Day (WSD) is held annually on 5 December as a means to focus attention on the importance of healthy soil and to advocate for the sustainable management of soil resources.
An international day to celebrate Soil was recommended by the International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS) in 2002. Under the leadership of the Kingdom of Thailand and within the framework of the Global Soil Partnership, FAO has supported the formal establishment of WSD as a global awareness raising platform. The FAO Conference unanimously endorsed World Soil Day in June 2013 and requested its official adoption at the 68th UN General Assembly. In December 2013, the UN General Assembly responded by designating 5 December 2014 as the first official World Soil Day.
Why 5 December?
The date of 5 December was chosen because it 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.
Did you know?
- Soil is a living resource, home to more than 25% of our planet's biodiversity
- It is estimated that only 1% of soil microorganism species are currently known compared to 80% of plant species
- Up to 90% of living organisms live or spend part of their lifecycle in soils
- Soil organisms can break down certain contaminants.
Events
You will find many initiatives worldwide. Check the map and register your event!
FAO will announce on WSD20 the winners of its important awards:
In depth
Websites
- FAO World Soil Day
- FAO Soils portal
- FAO Global Soil Partnership
- FAO Global Symposium on Soil Biodiversity
Reports
- UN General Assembly resolution declaring World Soil Day (A/RES/68/232)
- Save Our Soils: Finding ways to stop erosion
- Let's stop soil erosion to ensure a food secure future
- Polluting our soils is polluting our future
- Soil erosion: the greatest challenge for sustainable soil management
- GSER 19 Outcome Document