World Soil Day on December 5 highlights the vital role soils play in sustaining life. According to the United Nations, more than 95 percent of the world's food is produced from soils, which also provide 15 of the 18 essential chemical elements that plants need. Yet, climate change and human activities are damaging soils, decreasing water absorption, fertility, and ecosystem health.

This year's theme, "Healthy Soils for Healthy Cities," highlights how urban soils help regulate temperature, absorb rainwater, store carbon, and improve air quality.

As cities face challenges such as extreme weather, flooding and heat stress, China is improving soil health through science-based management. Permeable pavements, urban farmlands and soil-monitoring sensors support stormwater control and carbon assessment, helping create greener and more resilient urban environments. Conservation agriculture, organic composting, and crop diversification are also helping enhance soil structure and enhance on-farm biodiversity.

Technological innovation is emerging as a key driver of sustainable soil management. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) projects show that drones can monitor land-use changes, assess degradation, and quickly gather damage data after disasters, providing policymakers with timely, accurate information. In countries such as Myanmar and the Philippines, unmanned aerial vehicles have become essential tools for enhancing decision-making and natural resource management.

FAO's latest report stresses that land, soil, and water are the foundation of global agriculture, but degradation, resource scarcity, and climate change are weakening food security. The report highlights that integrated approaches – such as conservation agriculture, drought-tolerant varieties, soil moisture management, and organic composting – can increase productivity while improving soil health and strengthening ecosystem resilience.

Integrated planning for land and water is equally essential. According to FAO, support systems like landscape-level management and sustainable finance are crucial for increasing soil protection while maintaining food security, climate adaptation, and environmental health. World Soil Day encourages governments, urban planners, and citizens to rethink cities from the ground up and collaborate to create greener, more resilient, and future-ready urban spaces.

(Cover is a view of Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, south China, designed by CGTN's Liang Qian)