27/07/2023 - 28/07/2023 :
There is no soil B: Let's strengthen research and bet on environmental education

Online
In person: Bizkaia Aretoa-UPV/EHU

Terrestrial ecosystems are central components of the climate system and key providers of services to society, contributing to climate change mitigation and adaptation, biodiversity promotion and biomass production for food, fibre and energy. Indeed, the achievement of many of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) proposed by the United Nations, such as those addressing terrestrial life (SDG 15), climate action (SDG 13), food security (SDG 2), sustainable consumption and production (SDG 12) and clean water (SDG 6), depends directly or indirectly on the management of soil and vegetation health in terrestrial ecosystems. Currently, at least one third of the world’s soils are estimated to be “moderately to highly degraded”, largely due to intensive agriculture, forest disturbance, pollution and climate change. To remedy this situation, we must move towards more sustainable and integrated management of terrestrial ecosystems. And for this to materialise, it will be essential to promote knowledge transfer and Environmental Education for sustainability.

This summer course is organised over two days. The first day will highlight the importance of researching the health of forest ecosystems and agro-ecosystems in order to mitigate the climate and diversity crisis. It will also address the serious environmental problem of soil contamination and present sustainable and effective strategies for its remediation. The objective of the second day stems not only from the need to transfer the scientific knowledge generated in order to build an informed society, but also from the urgency of educating new generations towards sustainability and care for the environment. On this second day, the educational and transfer approaches and initiatives being carried out by different Basque institutions will be presented. The ultimate aim of this course is to raise awareness of the potential of research in Soil Science and Plant Biology and Environmental Education to build a knowledge society committed to environmental protection.

Programa

27-07-2023

08:45 - 09:00 -- Register

09:00 - 09:30 -- 'Invisible Universes: Why Overcoming Soil and Plant Blindness Is Vital for a Sustainable Future?'

09:30 - 10:10 --'Beyond wood: The role of forests and plant physiology in mitigating the effects of climate change'

10:10 - 10:50 -- 'The soil we walk on: a system of high diversity and essential for life on the planet'

10:50 - 11:30 -- 'Pamper the land to ensure the future. Sustainable management of agroecosystems and its benefits'

11:30 - 12:00 -- Break

12:00 - 12:40 -- 'Phytoremediation of contaminated soils: Dreams, facts and realities'

12:40 - 13:20 -- 'Is it possible to remediate contaminated/degraded spaces? Lessons learned on the ground, challenges and opportunities'

13:20 - 14:30 -- Synthesis and open debate with the speakers

28-07-2023

09:00 - 09:40 -- 'Biosphere, brain and family, three pending subjects to address the path towards sustainability'

09:40 - 10:20 -- 'The new Ekoetxea network'

10:20 - 11:00 -- 'Brushstrokes on agricultural research. A commitment to the present to ensure our future'

11:00 - 11:30 -- Break

11:30 - 12:10 -- 'Urban ecological gardens: a unique educational tool'

12:10 - 12:50 --'Results of the research on Education for Sustainability and Biodiversity: The great challenge!'

12:50 - 13:30 -- 'Ecosystem Services: Driving force to educate in rising values such as sustainability and respect for the environment'

13:30 - 14:30 --Synthesis and open debate with the speakers

14:30 - 14:40 -- Closing session