Soils have been neglected for too long. We fail to connect soil with our food, water, climate, biodiversity and life. We must invert this tendency and take up some preserving and restoring actions. The World Soil Day campaign aims to connect people with soils and raise awareness on their critical importance in our lives.

 

 

Soil is the basis for food, feed, fuel and fibre production and for services to ecosystems and human well-being. It is the reservoir for at least a quarter of global biodiversity, and therefore requires the same attention as above-ground biodiversity. Soils play a key role in the supply of clean water and resilience to floods and droughts. The largest store of terrestrial carbon is in the soil so that its preservation may contribute to climate change adaptation and mitigation. The maintenance or enhancement of global soil resources is essential if humanity’s need for food, water, and energy security is to be met.

 

1. Listen to an audio interview from Ronald Vargas, a technical officer with FAO’s Land and Water Division in Rome, who explains what the issues are and what is at stake for the soil community and all those who depend on soils for agriculture.
2. Check out FAO's campaigns materials including: infographics, t-shirts, web banners and videos.
3. Search for events happening around the world.
4. Watch the free streaming of Symphony of the Soil - a new documentary by Deborah Koons Garcia, director of The Future of Food, which provides an artistic exploration of the miraculous substance soil. 

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