World Soil Day

World Soil Day History

World Soil Day aims to raise awareness about the importance of healthy soils for sustainable agriculture, food security, and the environment. It highlights the crucial role soil plays in supporting biodiversity, water filtration, carbon sequestration, and nutrient cycling, as well as the challenges of soil degradation and land mismanagement. This day serves as a platform for governments, organisations, and individuals to promote sustainable soil management, share best practices, and advocate for the responsible use of this finite natural resource.

The origins of World Soil Day can be traced back to 2002 when the International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS) first advocated for establishing a global awareness campaign concerning the critical importance of soil. In 2013, the United Nations General Assembly designated December 5th as World Soil Day, recognising its vital role in human food production and ecosystem services. In Australia, sustainable soil management is particularly crucial due to the country's harsh climate, which makes certain regions susceptible to soil erosion, salinity, and nutrient deficiencies. The observance of World Soil Day in Australia aims to address these challenges by highlighting local research, conservation efforts, and innovative agricultural practices.

Each year on December 5th, various Australian organisations, academic institutions, and government agencies celebrate World Soil Day through multiple activities, such as conferences, workshops, exhibitions, and social media campaigns. These events allow participants to learn about the latest advances in sustainable soil management and discuss soil-related issues specific to Australia. By raising awareness about the importance of healthy soils, World Soil Day supports ongoing efforts to protect and sustain this valuable resource for the benefit of future generations.

World Soil Day facts

• The theme for World Soil Day in 2024 was Caring for Soils: Measure, Monitor, Manage. In 2023 the theme was Keep soil alive, protect biodiversity.
• According to the U.N, an estimated 90% of organisms live or spend part of their life cycle in soil.
• As water seeps through layers of soil, it gets purified. Soil microbes act like a filter, cleaning the water before it reaches groundwater reserves.
• Australia has a high percentage of regolith, which is a layer of weathered rock and loose material covering solid bedrock. This regolith can vary in depth from centimeters to hundreds of meters and has a significant impact on water storage and availability, as well as plant and animal communities.
• Due to their age and weathering, Australian soils generally have low fertility. They are typically depleted in key nutrients such as phosphorus, nitrogen, and potassium, which limits agricultural productivity in many areas.

In the News and Trending in Australia for World Soil Day

Top things to do in Australia for World Soil Day

• Practice soil conservation and preservation in your community by using mulch in your lawn. You can also plant cover crops which will help manage soil erosion and preserve soil quality.
• Help promote and raise 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.
• Gather a group of people and plant trees in an area that requires reforestation or participate in a collective effort to establish a community garden.
• Organize nature walks, hikes, or outdoor activities in parks or green spaces to celebrate and appreciate the beauty and importance of soil and nature. This can be accompanied by informational sessions or demonstrations on soil health and conservation.