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World Soil Day

Join us in honoring World Soil Day and recognize the importance of soil for food security, climate change adaptation and mitigation, and biodiversity!
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When it is?
December 5
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Country
International
Introduction

Get ready to celebrate World Soil Day on December 5 and show some appreciation for the amazing soil that sustains us! This special day was established by the United Nations in 2002, when they declared it a “symbol of our commitment to sustainably manage soils as a critical component of ecosystem services.” The importance of soil cannot be overstated; it is essential for growing food, filtering water and storing carbon.

History of World Soil Day

World Soil Day Dates

World Soil Day Timeline

<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2002</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>UN Declaration</div><div class='timeline-text'>The United Nations General Assembly established World Soil Day, emphasizing the importance of soil conservation and sustainable agriculture.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2003</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>First Observance</div><div class='timeline-text'>The first celebration of World Soil Day was held, spotlighting the value of soil management and conservation.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2012</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>International Year of Soils</div><div class='timeline-text'>The United Nations declared 2015 as the International Year of Soils to raise global awareness about the critical need for soil conservation.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2015</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Soil-Themed Campaigns</div><div class='timeline-text'>Events and campaigns around the world emphasized the link between healthy soils and a healthy planet, as part of the International Year of Soils.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2017</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Soil and Climate Change</div><div class='timeline-text'>World Soil Day themes began to focus more heavily on the important role healthy soils play in mitigating climate change.</div></div></div>

How to Celebrate World Soil Day

<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Plant a tree</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Planting a tree is one of the best things you can do to celebrate World Soil Day. Not only does it help keep soil healthy and fertile, but it also provides much needed oxygen for our planet.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Start a compost bin</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Composting is another great way to celebrate World Soil Day. By composting, you’ll be helping to reduce waste and create nutrient-rich soil for your garden.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Volunteer with a local organization</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>There are many organizations that focus on soil conservation, and volunteering with one of these groups is a great way to show your support for World Soil Day. You could help with planting trees, cleaning up local parks, or educating people about the importance of soil health.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Organize a beach clean up</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Organizing a beach clean up event is another great way to celebrate World Soil Day. Not only will you be removing harmful pollutants from entering our oceans, but you’ll also be keeping our beaches and coastal areas clean.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Educate yourself</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Finally, make sure you take some time to educate yourself about the importance of soil conservation and how it affects our planet. There are many books, documentaries, and websites available on this topic – so there’s plenty of information out there to get started with!</p></div></div>

Why World Soil Day is Important

<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Soil helps grow food</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Our soil provides us with the foundation for growing healthy fruits and vegetables. It's also the main ingredient in making bread, a staple food around the world. Without healthy soil, we wouldn't have access to these nutritional sources.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Soil captures carbon</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Soils act as natural carbon sinks; they store three times more carbon than plants and four times more than the atmosphere. Keeping soils healthy helps lessen the effects of climate change by storing excess carbon, which can help protect our planet from future environmental damage.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Soil protects biodiversity</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Healthy soils are an important part of maintaining the balance of nature. They provide habitat for many species of insects, animals, and plants, and without them, biodiversity would be greatly endangered. Protecting soil is one way to keep our planet's ecosystems thriving.</p></div></div>

Discover 5 Amazing Facts for World Soil Day

<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Soil is Alive!</h3><p class='facts-content'>One handful of soil can contain billions of organisms, including bacteria, fungi, protozoa, insects and earthworms. These soil-dwelling organisms help break down organic matter, aiding in nutrient cycling and improving soil fertility.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Soil is Critical for Water Regulation</h3><p class='facts-content'>Soil acts like a sponge, absorbing and retaining water, preventing flooding and reducing erosion. It also filters water as it passes through, removing harmful pollutants and making it safe for consumption.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Soil Stores Most of the Earth's Genetic Diversity</h3><p class='facts-content'>More than 80% of terrestrial biodiversity is found in soils. This genetic material in the form of microorganisms contributes to disease resistance, decomposition and nutrient cycling.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Soil Erosion Is a Major Global Concern</h3><p class='facts-content'>Globally, we are losing 24 billion tons of fertile soil each year due to erosion caused by intensive farming practices. This not only has implications for food production, but also contributes significantly to water pollution.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Soil Is a Non-Renewable Resource</h3><p class='facts-content'>Soil formation is a slow process. It can take hundreds to thousands of years to form a single centimetre of topsoil. Therefore, it's crucial to maintain our current soil resource as it cannot be quickly replaced.</p></div></div>

World Soil Day FAQs

When is World Soil Day?

World Soil Day is celebrated on December 5 every year. In 2024, World Soil Day will occur on a Thursday.

World Soil Day Dates

Year
Date
Day

2023

Dec 5

Tuesday

2024

Dec 5

Thursday

2025

Dec 5

Friday

2026

Dec 5

Saturday

2027

Dec 5

Sunday

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