World Soil Day 2017 is celebrated on 5 December under the theme "Caring for the Planet starts from the Ground," with activities aiming to communicate messages on the importance of soil quality for food security, healthy ecosystems and human well-being.

Soils not only produce 95% of the food we consume, they also have a huge potential for taking carbon from the atmosphere and offsetting the green house gas emissions. Keeping the soil healthy can bring a multitude of gains, from food security to sustainable livelihoods and climate benefits. Follow UNCCD on Facebook and Twitter to learn more soil fun facts.

To learn how the Wold Soil Day is celebrated around the world, please visit the FAO event page.

Read more:

• UNCCD scence-policy brief: pivotal soil carbon
• Soils and pulses, a symbiosis for life
• FAO: World Soil Day