Annually held on December 5, World Soil Day (WSD) underscores the vital importance of healthy soil. The day also serves as an opportunity to advocate for the sustainable management of soil resources. The occasion provides an ideal platform to raise awareness about a significant environmental concern affecting our planet. This tradition began in response to a recommendation put forward by the International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS) in 2002.
The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) lent its support to the formal establishment of WSD, envisioning it as a global awareness-raising platform. Working under the leadership of the Kingdom of Thailand and within the framework of the Global Soil Partnership, the FAO sought to bring the world’s attention to this critical issue.
The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) designated December 5, 2014, as the first official World Soil Day. The choice of date is symbolic; it matches the official birthday of H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the King of Thailand. His endorsement played a pivotal role in sanctioning the event.
Themes and Awards Associated with World Soil Day
Each year, a theme is selected for World Soil Day. The theme for WSD 2019 echoed a dire warning – ‘Stop Soil Erosion, Save Our Future’; a call-to-action to tackle this grave environmental issue head-on.
To recognise exceptional efforts in raising public consciousness about soil health, the FAO awards two honours. The first is The King Bhumibol World Soil Day Award. This annual award commends individuals, communities, organisations, and countries that have organised significant and engaging World Soil Day activities or campaigns during the previous year.
The second award is The Glinka World Soil Prize. This prize honours dynamic change-makers committed to addressing one of our world’s most pressing environmental issues – soil degradation. It salutes individuals and organisations whose leadership and activities have contributed or continue to contribute to promoting sustainable soil management and the protection of soil resources.
Key Information About World Soil Day
| Date | Theme | Supported By | First Observed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 December | Varies (2019: Stop Soil Erosion, Save Our Future) | Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) | 5 December 2014 |
The Importance of Advocating for Soil Health
The observance of World Soil Day plays an essential role in emphasising the importance of soil health, not just to flora, fauna and humans, but also to the planet’s entire biosphere. Soil health directly impacts food security, air quality, and climate change. Healthy soil aids in the growth of robust plants, contributing to food abundance and diversity. Moreover, it helps clean air by trapping dust and pollutants, and it acts as a significant carbon sequestration agent, thus combating climate change.
By raising global awareness about the critical need for sustainable soil management and conservation, World Soil Day serves as a call-to-action to individuals, communities, organisations, and countries worldwide.
Sustainable soil management has the potential to produce benefits that reach far beyond any single location, impacting global food security, climate change mitigation, and overall biodiversity.
