World Soil Day | 5 December

About World Soil Day

World Soil Day (WSD), observed annually on 5 December, has grown into a global movement highlighting the role of soils in food security, ecosystems and human well-being. FAO, through its Global Soil Partnership (GSP), received the UN mandate in 2014 to facilitate WSD. Each year, the WSD theme spotlighted a critical soil issue: 2015 on Healthy Soils for a Healthy Life, 2016 on Soils & Pulses: Symbiosis for Life, 2017 on Caring for the Soils Starts from the Ground, 2018 on Be the Solution to Soil Pollution, 2019 on Stop Soil Erosion, Save Our Future, 2020 on Keep Soil Alive, Protect Soil Biodiversity, 2021 on Halt Soil Salinization, Boost Soil Productivity, 2022 on Soil, Where Food Begins, 2023 on Soil and Water, a Source of Life and 2024 on Caring for Soils: Measure, Monitor, Manage.

WSD owes its success to dedicated organizers worldwide, last year over 10 000 events were pinned on the WSD map, engaging millions and reinforcing the importance of protecting and managing soils for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.

Past editions

World Soil Day 2024
World Soil Day 2023
World Soil Day 2022
World Soil Day 2021
World Soil Day 2020
World Soil Day 2019
World Soil Day 2018

Videos

Caring for Soils: Measure, Monitor, Manage
03/12/2024

Soil is the foundation of life, and understanding its health is vital for a sustainable future. This year’s edition of World Soil Day (WSD) underscores...

Salt-affected soils: discovering a missed reality
19/10/2021

Soil salinization and sodification are major soil degradation processes threatening ecosystem and are recognized as being among the most important...

Keep soil alive, protect soil biodiversity
22/06/2020

The animation gives a brief introduction on the main drivers, the key functions and challenges of soil biodiversity loss, indicating possible ways...

Stop soil erosion, keep soil where it belongs!
15/05/2019

Soil erosion poses a major threat to global food security and to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Find out more about...

How can you be the solution to soil pollution
04/12/2018

Even through your small actions you can contribute to a big goal, to stop soil pollution. Reduce, reuse and recycle can help you, your community...

Soil Organic Carbon – the treasure beneath our feet
21/03/2017

An animated illustration of soil organic carbon and its importance for climate action, food production and sustainable development