World Soil Day 2019 draws attention to soil erosion

The Permanent Missions of Thailand, Ecuador Nigeria, and the Russian Federation co-hosted with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) the World Soil Day 2019 celebration at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. This year’s theme, “Stop soil erosion, save our future”, focuses on highlighting the negative impact that the removal of fertile topsoil has on food security and biodiversity.

In his opening remarks the Permanent Representative of Thailand, Ambassador Vitavas Srivihok, stressed to participants the importance of their engagement in the issue: “This celebration is not onlaimed at raiseing awareness on the importance of soil, but also advocates for stronger efforts to conserve, preserve, and use soil sustainably.”

The Permanent Representative of Ecuador, Ambassador Luis Benigno Gallegos, noted the finite nature of soils. “Soil is erroneously perceived as an unlimited resource”, he stated. “However, for my country, nature is a national priority, and we mean to engage with multiple stakeholders in order to protect it.”

Ms Carla Mucavi, Director of the FAO Liaison Office in New York, moderated the event. She highlighted that “even though soil erosion occurs naturally under all conditions, unsustainable human activities like deforestation, overgrazing, and land levelling have accelerated it up to 1000 times.”  She continued to point out that “In fact, the equivalent of one soccer pitch of soil is eroded every five seconds, while it can take up to 1000 years to produce just two centimeters of soil.”

The Deputy Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation, Ambassador Dmitry Chumakov, referred to the fact that “scientific assessments show that about 33% of global soils are moderately or highly degraded.” He also shared concrete actions taken by the Russian government to restore and preserve soil fertility.

The Deputy Permanent Representative of Nigeria, Ambassador Samson Sunday Itegboje, recalled factors that are affecting land and soils. “The increase of human population has heightened competition to control land resources. Add to that climate change, and the challenge to sustain healthy soils becomes evident”, he noted.

Melchiade Bukuru, Chief of the UNCCD Liaison Office in New York, presented the ways that healthy soils are supported by the Land Degradation Neutrality initiative, an approach that strategically counterbalances the expected loss of productive land with the recovery of degraded areas. “Soil is fragile, but we can support it by improving our water management processes”, said Bukuru. 

Ohio State University Professor Gary Pierzynski updated the event participants on the work of the Global Soil Partnership and the Intergovernmental Technical Panel on Soils. “We are committed to protecting and enhancing soil research done around the world”, said Dr Pierzynski.

Sustaining healthy ecosystems is what County of Napa Junior Engineer Daniel Hornett does for a living. “Soil is a living organism and the foundation of life on this planet, to be cared for by present and future generations,” said Daniel, who also presented initiatives that he undertakes in California to educate youth on best soil management practices.

An intervention by Avery Cox, a young farmer from Vermont, shed light on the importance of soil management for rural areas. "Storms that used to go on for a day, are now torrential one-hour downpours and that impacts our crops and threatens our houses with landslides,” said Cox.

World Soil Day is observed annually on 5 December, on a date that marks the birthday of the late King of Thailand Bhumibol Adulyadej, a soil scientist who dedicated his life to sustainable soil conservation and management. International Volunteers Day is also celebrated on 5 December, and Pirom Kaewwichia, a Volunteer Soil Doctor from Thailand has a stake in both. According to Pirom, “soil is a resource of life itself, but it needs to be taken care of. Soil improvement should begin with conservation.”

In 2019, hundreds of World Soil Day celebrations were held around the world, from Rome to Bangkok.
For more information on the World Soil Day 2019 event at the UN Headquarters, please go to our Events page.