World Soil Day

  This program, coordinated with the General Office of Education of West Azerbaijan Province , will be held simultaneously in all counties of the province on December 6th (15 Azar). The purpose of this program is to raise awareness among students, teachers, and learners at various educational levels about the importance of soil and to familiarize them with methods of soil conservation. World Soil Day 2025, “The symbolic and simultaneous ringing of the Soil Bell in all rural and urban schools of West Azerbaijan Province". ارومیه (ایران), 07/12/2025 - 07/12/2025 -  Registration .

When rain hits natural ground, much of it seeps down, replenishing groundwater reservoirs. However, sealed surfaces send rainwater rushing off into drains, rivers, and eventually seas. This dramatically reduces groundwater recharge, putting entire communities at risk of water shortages. Urban sealing creates multiple environmental issues:Reduced groundwater recharge: Impermeable surfaces drastically lower groundwater replenishment rates. Increased flood risk : Rapid runoff from sealed surfaces leads to frequent and intense flooding in urban areas. Water pollution : Stormwater runoff from sealed surfaces picks up pollutants and debris, affecting water quality. Urban heat islands : Sealed surfaces retain heat, raising city temperatures significantly above surrounding areas. Between 2012 and 2018, urban soil sealing in the EU and UK led to an estimated loss of  approximately 670 million cubic meters of potential water storage capacity  in Functional Urban Areas (FUAs). To put th...

  Fortunately, solutions exist. Urban areas across Europe are testing innovative ways to limit or reverse soil sealing, enhance groundwater recharge, and build sustainable cities. We picked 5 of these solutions, that go hand in hand. Implement Green Infrastructure Green infrastructure, like parks, green roofs, and urban forests, can absorb rainfall effectively. For example, green roofs alone can retain 50-80% of rainfall, significantly reducing urban runoff. Use Permeable Pavements Switching from impermeable materials to permeable paving in parking areas, sidewalks, and residential streets allows rainwater to infiltrate directly into the ground. Permeable surfaces also reduce flooding and improve groundwater recharge rates. Rainwater Harvesting Systems Encouraging buildings to install rainwater harvesting systems reduces the demand for groundwater. This water can be reused for gardening, flushing toilets, and even cleaning, significantly decreasing the strain on groundwater sources...

Paved roads, parking lots, and high-rises are the visible symbols of urban growth. Yet beneath them lies an often-forgotten foundation of city life: soil . When soils are permeable and vegetated, they can play a key role in cities, absorbing rainwater to reduce flood risks, regulating temperature to ease heat islands, storing carbon, and supporting vegetation that improves air quality and provides food. But when soils are sealed under concrete and asphalt, these life-supporting functions are disrupted, leaving cities more vulnerable to floods, overheating, and pollution. It is against this backdrop that the Global Symposium on Soil Sealing and Urban Soils will take place in Pisa, Italy, on 6–7 October 2025. Co-organized by FAO, its Global Soil Partnership , the FAO Green Cities Initiative , and the International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS) through its SUITMA Commission , the event will bring together scientists, policymakers, and practitioners to rethink the role of soils in shapi...