Title
To recognize Dr. Rattan Lal in his numerous contributions and celebrate December 5, 2024 as World Soil Day in Columbus, Ohio.
Body
WHEREAS, the International Union of Soil Scientists (IUSS) proposed a World Soil Day in 2002 and was supported by the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations; and
WHEREAS, the 68th General Assembly of the United Nations designated December 5, 2014 as the first official World Soil Day; and
WHEREAS, healthy soils support food systems, water quality, air quality, biodiversity, and stability for buildings; and
WHEREAS, soil is a carbon sink that allow for carbon sequestration in the face of global anthropogenic climate change; and
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus, through its Sustainable Columbus office, is committed to imparting equity and environmental justice through strong climate action and is guided by the Columbus Climate Action Plan, which has a community-wide goal of carbon neutrality by 2050 and 45% reduction in emissions by 2050; and
WHEREAS, numerous soil scientists have shaped the field and livelihood of communities through their work; and
WHEREAS, distinguished professor Dr. Rattan Lal of The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) is a world-renowned soil scientist and Director of the CFAES Dr. Rattan Lal Carbon Sequestration and Management Center; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Lal has made significant contributions in soil science regarding carbon sequestration and climate change, soil degradation and restoration, soil health and global food security, soil quality and sustainable agriculture, conservation agriculture, and soils of the tropics; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Lal was awarded the World Food Prize in 2020; and
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS: That this Council does hereby recognize Dr. Rattan Lal in his numerous contributions and celebrate December 5, 2024 as World Soil Day in Columbus, Ohio.