reminds us that food is a basic human right. However, 690 million people still suffer from chronic hunger. Our challenge is to ensure the right to food for everyone, everywhere.
Land, Plants, and Soil
Mountains鈥 unique topography, compressed climatic zones, and isolation have created the conditions for a wide spectrum of life forms. Mountains provide great biodiversity and many endemic varieties of ecosystems, species and genetic resources. Their topography in terms of altitude, slope and exposure offers opportunities to grow a variety of high-value crops, horticulture, livestock and forest species. This year, for International Mountain Day (11 December), focuses in celebrating mountains as the home to half of the world鈥檚 biodiversity hotspots and addresses the threats they face.
appoints the popular British gardening expert, writer and broadcaster, Monty Don, as Goodwill Ambassador to promote the International Year of Plant Health. FAO also appoints the Irish garden designer, writer, and broadcaster, Diarmuid Gavin, as Champion of the cause. The UN declared 2020 (extended into 2021 due to COVID-19) as the to protect plant health to help end hunger, reduce poverty, protect the environment, and boost economic development.
As the climate changes rapidly in many parts of the world, is encouraging the adoption of more resilient and efficient production systems such as Conservation Agriculture (CA). If the world鈥檚 small-scale farmers are to achieve food security, soils must play a key role. At its core, CA minimises soil disturbance, provides permanent soil cover and diversifies crop production This is why FAO promotes sustainable soil management through initiatives such as the and celebrates , to raise awareness on the importance of soil resources.
There are more living creatures in a single teaspoon of healthy soil - from tiny bacteria to agile millipedes and slimy earthworms - than there are people on Earth. Soil organisms are responsible for many critical ecosystem processes, on which humans depend: from supporting plant growth, to storing carbon and being a vast reservoir for pharmaceuticals. This year, for World Soil Day (5 December), the campaign addresses the increasing challenges of soil management and highlights the importance of sustaining healthy ecosystems and human well-being.
This animation gives a brief introduction on the main drivers, the key functions and challenges of soil biodiversity loss, indicating possible ways to enhance soil biodiversity as a nature-b
To take decisions, we need information 鈥 especially when we are trying to solve complex problems. Forests are home to most of the earth鈥檚 biodiversity, and they supply us with water, livelihoods and food. Reducing deforestation and managing the world鈥檚 forest resources sustainably is among the biggest challenges of our time. Just like the simple decisions we make every day, information is needed to make us aware of what is at stake and help us solve the problem. FAO provides countries with technical support and innovative tools to help them gather the data they need to monitor and protect their forests.
Improving the health of Southeast Asia鈥檚 largest lake
When we go about our daily routines, most of us are unaware that beneath our feet lies an outstandingly diverse community of plants, animals and microbes that makes up our soils. Soils are more than just 鈥渄irt鈥 - they鈥檙e a major reservoir of global biodiversity, supporting agriculture and food security, regulating greenhouse gas emissions and promoting plant, animal and human health. Without them our world wouldn鈥檛 be the same.
Restoring an ecosystem in Costa Rica鈥檚 Jes煤s Mar铆a River Basin
To promote among younger generations聽on the occasion of the International Year of Plnat Health, this聽video shows how plants sustain life on Earth, and what children can d
Two farmers in Ethiopia share their story on how looking after the land strengthens communities and helps biodiversity.
Planting for the future: These seeds are the oxygen you will breathe
Population increases, higher food demand, and changing land use degrade around 33 percent of global soils. looks for innovative solutions to ensure we can protect them.
Nature is our best defence:聽Taking climate action and fighting fires in the Seychelles