World Soil Day
World Soil Day is celebrated on December 5 every year. It goes without saying that soil is extremely important for our sustenance on earth. Soil helps purify water, cultivate food, grow plants, acts a habitat for many microorganisms and many more.
The theme for World Soil Day 2024 is "Caring for Soils: Measure, Monitor, Manage."
World Soil Day History and Importance
The International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS) first proposed the idea of dedicating an entire day to soil, understanding its significance and taking steps to protect it in 2002. Later, with the help of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and support from Thailand, World Soil Day was officially recognized.
In 2013, FAO members agreed on making it a global event, and by December that year, the United Nations announced December 5th as the official date for World Soil Day, with the first celebration happening in 2014.
Interesting Facts about Soil
- Touching soil can boost your mood by triggering serotonin production, similar to the effects of antidepressants.
- Soils are fundamental to food production, supporting around 95% of the food we consume globally by providing nutrients and a growing medium for crops.
- Do you have an idea how long soil formation takes place? In ideal mild conditions, 1 cm of soil can take around 200 to 400 years to form.
- Brown is not the only colour of soil by the way. Soils come in many different colours such as white, red, yellow, green, blue and grey.
- Globally, around 24 billion tons of fertile soil are lost annually due to erosion. This depletes the soil’s productivity and endangers future food security.
Celebrate World Soil Day
- A simple act of planting trees can go a long way in protecting soil against erosion.
- Contributing to organizations focused on soil conservation can amplify your impact. Organizations like the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and others work globally to protect soil health. Some Indian organizations include ICAR, NMSA, and SWCS.
- Raising awareness about World Soil Day and the importance of soil protection is of paramount importance so share about this day on social media and help educate others.
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