The global challenges posed by climate change, natural disasters and human impacts on the environment will be among the key topics discussed at Sustainable Earth 2018.
The annual conference, held at the University of Plymouth, will see international experts debating some of the greatest threats to the future of the planet.
There will be presentations from world-leading researchers at the University on topics including plastic pollution, coastal change, soil erosion and human displacement.
And there will be a series of workshops and poster sessions about research and initiatives ranging from changing the laws on ivory to manufactured soil, pulmonary rehabilitation in Kyrgyzstan to geothermal projects in Cornwall.
The conference, themed around the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, is organised by the Sustainable Earth Institute and will take place on Thursday 28 and Friday 29 June.
Five keynote addresses will be delivered during the two days by:
- Baroness Bryony Worthington, Executive Director, Environmental Defence Fund Europe;
- Dr Christopher Shaw, Senior Researcher, Climate Outreach;
- Dr Mike Maunder, Director of Life Sciences, The Eden Project;
- Dr Vanessa Lawrence CB, senior adviser to governments, and Non-Executive Director of the Satellite Applications Catapult;
- Professor Virginia Murray, Consultant in Global Disaster Risk Reduction, Public Health England and Vice Chair, UNISDR Scientific and Technical Advisory Group.
Professor Iain Stewart MBE, Director of the Sustainable Earth Institute will also give the inaugural Sterling Lecture, launching the University’s new UNESCO Chair in Geoscience and Society.
It is a global initiative aimed at enhancing awareness of the role geoscience can play in addressing some of society’s greatest challenges.
Professor Stewart said:
“The immediate and long-term challenges facing our planet mean that science and society need to be aligned more closely than ever before. The knowledge and expertise that will enable us to live more sustainably does exist but there needs to be a joining of forces in order to put that into practice and policies.
“Sustainable Earth 2018 offers us an opportunity to do that, drawing together leaders from the fields of science and industry, policy and community to discuss the positive changes we can make now and in the future. It is also a chance to showcase the outstanding research taking place at the University, and how it is transforming lives at home and abroad.”
