Today, December 5, 2025, marks World Soil Day, a global call to recognize the foundation of life beneath our feet. According to the United Nations, over 95 percent of the world's food is grown in soils that provide 15 of the 18 essential chemical elements plants need. Yet climate change and human activities are degrading this vital resource, reducing water absorption, fertility, and overall ecosystem health.
Why Soil Health Matters
- Food Security: Healthy soils produce higher crop yields and support sustainable urban agriculture.
- Climate Regulation: Soils act as carbon sinks, locking away greenhouse gases.
- Water Management: Well-structured soils absorb and filter rainwater, preventing floods and improving water quality.
Healthy Soils for Healthy Cities
This year's theme, "Healthy Soils for Healthy Cities," highlights urban soils' role in regulating temperature, capturing rainwater, storing carbon, and purifying air. From community gardens to green rooftops, city planners and entrepreneurs are harnessing soil solutions to build more resilient, livable urban spaces.
Innovations and Impact
Across G20 cities, startups are deploying smart sensors to monitor soil moisture, while activists and thought leaders advocate for policies that restore degraded lands. Travelers and digital nomads, take note: seek out urban farms and parklands that demonstrate how healthy soils can transform city life.
As we celebrate World Soil Day 2025, remember: the health of our soils shapes the health of our cities—and ultimately, our planet.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
