World Soil Day 2022: History and significance of the day

Every year on December 5, the United Nations celebrates "World Soil Day."

[{"selector":"#anim-3db5e58e-f9b0-48e3-a3b5-b73b4449a6aa","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

The day is celebrated to raise awareness about the importance of maintaining healthy ecosystems

[{"selector":"#anim-e1f2970a-8c70-483d-a6cf-62a392925915","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

This year, the theme for the observance of this day is ‘soils: where food begins.’

[{"selector":"#anim-24bc72b1-4a6f-4876-a893-2af98b01f99a","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

An international day to honor soil was first proposed in 2002.

[{"selector":"#anim-f982a4c7-9681-4306-b20e-12a4f2641bbf","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

It was initiated by the International Union of Soil Sciences.

[{"selector":"#anim-85f43af2-1ef2-42da-967c-1c2ab9a5011b","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

As per the UN, about 33% of soils are degraded already.

[{"selector":"#anim-6482d125-e33c-45b4-9fa6-a5f737df9bb5","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Source: HT