World Soil Day

World Soil Day History

World Soil Day aims to raise awareness of the importance of soil quality for our overall well-being. Soil is an essential natural resource fundamental to sustaining life on our planet. This event is focused on promoting sustainable soil management practices, preserving soil biodiversity, and supporting healthy soil's crucial role in climate resilience, food security, and ecosystem services.

In particular, World Soil Day has its roots in the International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS) conference held in 2002, with official recognition by the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in 2013. For the United Kingdom, soil health is particularly relevant, given the UK hosts one-third of Europe's total peatland area. Additionally, agricultural activities rely heavily on fertile soil to maintain productivity and contribute to long-term food security. The UK government has acknowledged this importance by establishing the 25-year Environment Plan, which includes the sustainable management of soil resources as one of its goals.

World Soil Day is marked in the UK through various events and public engagement activities. Educational institutions, research organizations, and environmental groups often host workshops, conferences, and seminars to share knowledge and discuss best practices for soil management. Engaging with the broader public promotes the importance of sustainable soil management alongside the benefits of supporting local and organic farming practices. World Soil Day is celebrated annually on the 5th of December, providing a crucial opportunity to focus our collective attention on soil's vital role in our everyday lives and the challenges it faces in the United Kingdom.

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.
• UK soils store an estimated 10 billion tonnes of carbon, which is more than the combined forests of the UK and France. Maintaining and enhancing soil carbon stocks is important for mitigating climate change and improving soil health.
• British soils are classified into 10 main groups, including brown earths, podzols, gley soils, peat soils, argillic brown earths, rendzinas, gleysols, lithomorphic soils, alluvial soils, and saline soils.

In the News and Trending in the UK for World Soil Day

Top things to do in the UK 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.
• Start a small garden in your backyard or even indoors if you don't have outdoor space. Gardening not only allows you to contribute positively to soil health but also provides an opportunity for you to grow your own food. Learn about organic gardening practices and ways to enrich your soil with compost or natural fertilizers.
• Look for local organizations or environmental groups that focus on soil conservation. Volunteer your time and effort to participate in activities such as tree planting, soil testing, or erosion control projects. These activities contribute to the preservation and restoration of soil health.