2015 International Year of Soils

http://www.fao.org/soils-2015/en/



Well this week marks the "academic" end of my blog. But I plan to continue on my blog, as I journey into my new career working in the soil science profession. For all the soil science enthusiasts out there, we are nearing the official start of the International Year of Soils. Last year the 68th UN General Assembly declared 2015 as the International Year of Soils. The year officially kicks off today, Friday (December 5th). The following list taken from the fao official website, states the objectives of the International Year of Soils (IYS)

     The specific objectives of the IYS 2015 are to:

• Raise full awareness among civil society and decision makers about the profound importance of soil for human life; 
• Educate the public about the crucial role soil plays in food security, climate change adaptation and mitigation, essential ecosystem services, poverty alleviation and sustainable development;
• Support effective policies and actions for the sustainable management and protection of soil resources;
• Promote investment in sustainable soil management activities to develop and maintain healthy soils for different land users and population groups;
• Strengthen initiatives in connection with the SDG process (Sustainable Development Goals) and Post-2015 agenda;
• Advocate for rapid capacity enhancement for soil information collection and monitoring at all levels (global, regional and national).

I personally am so excited for soils to one be recognized throughout the entire year and two to see it occur on an international level. Below is the YouTube video for the kick off of the IYS. 

 

 

 

I hope everyone celebrates the kick off of the greatest year in soils!