Interesting Facts To Know About Soil On World Soil Day
Health Insurance

Interesting Facts To Know About Soil On World Soil Day

We live in a modern world where deforestation, global warming, and biodiversity losses have become common issues. Most measures to improve these environment-destroying situations focus on conserving energy and improving the climate. Amidst these efforts, it is crucial not to glaze over the role of soil that supports life on earth. This World Soil Day, let us learn more about this natural resource that shapes the quality of our lives.

World Soil Day

Observed every year on 5th December, World Soil Day is celebrated to draw attention to soil degradation, which has become a severe issue. It takes up to 1,000 years to grow up to two to three centimetres of soil. Hence, under the leadership of Thailand's King Bhumibol, the International Union of Soil Sciences launched a movement to spread awareness about soil management. The event itself was held in England, United Kingdom. The Food and Agriculture Organisation introduced World Soil Day to advocate soil preservation.

Interesting facts about soil

Here are some facts about soil that highlight its influence on our lives.

  • Soil cleans water

When it rains, soil absorbs rainwater. It is a passageway for moving water into lakes, aquifers, or even the ocean. In this process, soil filters rainwater and removes toxic pollutants, chemicals, dust, and other harmful particles.

  • Soil is a non-renewable resource

As mentioned earlier, soil takes years to form. It results from the bedrock's slow biological, physical, and chemical weathering. Soil erosion caused due to wind, water, and poor agricultural practices wipes away soil formation, making it difficult to renew the soil.

  • Soil has multilayered properties

Soil is made of various complex materials, which makes it multilayered. Some essential components contributing to its formation include minerals, broken rocks, water, air, and organic matter. These components form the organic layer with decaying plant matter, topsoil with roots, subsoil containing dirt, and the bedrock, which is the surface layer.

  • Soil's ecosystem is diverse

Soil contains millions of microorganisms and comprises microspecies like bacteria, fungi, algae, protozoa, etc. Besides seeking a habitat in soil, these microorganisms perform essential functions like enhancing soil fertility, removing contaminants, promoting water absorption, etc.

  • Soil naturally sinks carbon

Soil absorbs carbon from the atmosphere, which offsets carbon emissions released into the ozone layer. However, it has its downsides. When excessive carbon gets stored in the soil, it may lead to acidification, which proves harmful. Also, soil erosion and tilling release carbon back into the atmosphere, leading to global warming.

Soil Erosion And Deteriorating Health – The Need For Health Insurance

Through the facts listed above, we can understand the importance of soil and how it is deteriorating. Deforestation and other similar activities cause soil erosion and degradation. Such problems contribute to a poor environment, climatic state, and food consumption. All this directly affects our health. However, we can take proactive steps to treat health complications by investing in a health insurance policy. Health insurance provides relief agianst the financial stress of dealing with inflating medical costs.

This World Soil Day, let's acknowledge the health risks of deteriorating soil conditions. Also, invest in health insurance to manage the costs of health complications.

Disclaimer: The above information is indicative in nature. For more details on the risk factor, terms and conditions, please refer to the Sales Brochure and Policy Wordings carefully before concluding a sale.

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