In December 2013, the UN General Assembly designated December 5 as World Soil Day, following a recommendation from the Food and Agriculture Organization's conference earlier that year, with the first official observance held in 2014. The date was chosen to mark the birthday of Thailand's late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, an early champion of sustainable soil management initiatives in his country. The day draws attention to healthy soil as a foundation of ecosystems and global food security—soil produces more than 95% of the world's food and plays a critical role in storing carbon and mitigating climate change. Yet nearly a third of the world's soil is degraded due to human activity and poor agricultural management. World Soil Day is marked through awareness campaigns for farmers and policymakers on sustainable farming practices, educational events in schools and universities, and field initiatives aimed at restoring degraded soil and protecting it from erosion and pollution.