World Soil Day History
World Soil Day seeks to raise awareness about soil and the issues affecting it such as erosion and pollution. This day aims to promote sustainable management of soil resources in order to ensure healthy ecosystems. It encourages people to help preserve global food supplies and food safety by improving soil health and preventing the loss of soil biodiversity.
World Soil Day was established in 2014 by the U.N General Assembly. It is observed annually on December 5th.
World Soil Day Facts
The theme for World Soil Day in 2020 is to Keep soil alive, protect soil biodiversity.
Soil is a resource that is home to more than 25% of the Earth's biodiversity.
According to the U.N, an estimated 90% of living organisms live or spend part of their life cycle in soil.
World Soil Day Top Events and Things to Do
Practice soil conservation and preservation in your community by using mulch in your lawn and by planting cover crops which can help manage soil erosion and preserve soil quality.
Help promote and spread awareness about World Soil Day. The Food and Agriculture Organization site has posters and Materials that can aid in the campaign to highlight the importance of soil.
Watch a film or documentary on soil conservation and preservation. Here are our suggestions:
Kiss the Ground (2020)
Living Soil (2018)
Dirt! The Movie (2009)
This years' campaign "Keep soil alive, Protect soil biodiversity" urges us to focus our attention on the workers belowground - from tiny bacteria to agile millipedes and slimy earthworms - all of which contribute to processes that are indispensable to life on Earth.
These days biodiversity loss is a worry – and the soil is also affected. Soil is home to more than 1/4 of our planet's biodiversity. Yet, we only know 1% of this universe. There are more living creatures in a single teaspoon of healthy soil than there are people on Earth. Soil organisms are responsible for many critical ecosystem processes, on which humans depend: from supporting plant growth to storing carbon and being a vast reservoir for pharmaceuticals. But soil biodiversity is under pressure! Unsustainable soil management affects life belowground. Take action to protect soil biodiversity. Let's now about soil.
Fun facts
- In just 3 inches of soil, there is 13 quadrillion living organisms, weighing 100 million tonnes.
- One hectare of soil contains the weight equivalent of two cows of bacteria.
- There are more organisms in one gram of healthy soils than there are people on Earth.
- An earthworm can digest its own weight in the soil every 24 hours. 50% of the planet's soil passes through the gut of earthworms each year.
- Soil organisms process 25,000 kg of organic matter in a surface area equivalent to a soccer field, which is the weight.
Stop soil erosion, keep soil where it belongs!
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