December 5th-World Soil Day
Soil and water are the most important resources for life on Earth. 95% of the food we consume comes from the soil, and its quality depends on the state of these two resources. Water in the soil is necessary for plants to absorb nutrients. The relationship between soil and water forms the foundation of agricultural systems.
Due to climate change and human activity, soil degradation has occurred, leading to excessive pressure on water resources. As a result, soil erosion has intensified, impairing its ability to retain, drain, and filter water, which exacerbates water scarcity across all areas of human life.
World Soil Day is celebrated annually on December 5th to raise awareness about the importance of soil quality and sustainable management of soil resources. The idea of celebrating this day annually was proposed by the International Union of Soil Sciences in 2002 and supported by the Kingdom of Thailand, the Global Soil Partnership, and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The FAO conference in June 2013 unanimously approved the proposal to celebrate World Soil Day and asked the UN General Assembly to officially endorse it at its 68th session.
Each year, this day is celebrated with a specific theme based on current issues. The theme of this year's World Soil Day is "Soil Quality: Measuring, Monitoring, and Managing."