Plenary Speakers

Bio: Pete Smith is Professor of Soils and Global Change at the Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences at the University of Aberdeen (Scotland, UK) and Science Director of the Scottish Climate Change Centre of Expertise (ClimateXChange). His interests include climate change mitigation, soils, agriculture, food systems, ecosystem services modelling and nature-based solutions. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology, a Fellow of the Institute of Soil Scientists, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, a Foreign Fellow of the Indian National Science Academy, a Fellow of the European Science Academy, and a Fellow of the Royal Society (London).

Talk Title: Healthy soils contribute to all of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (Virtual presentation).

Abstract: Soils contribute positively to all ecosystem services, and using previously published relationships between ecosystem services and delivery on the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) we can infer contributions of soils to the SDGs. We show that in addition to contributing positively to the delivery of all ecosystem services, soils also have a role in underpinning all SDGs.

While highlighting the great potential of soils to contribute to sustainable development, it is recognized that poorly managed, degraded or polluted soils may contribute negatively to the SDGs. The positive contribution, however, cannot be taken for granted, and soils must be managed carefully to keep them healthy and capable of playing this vital role. A priority for soil management must include: (i) for healthy soils in natural ecosystems, protect them from conversion and degradation; (ii) for managed soils, manage in a way to protect and enhance soil biodiversity, health and sustainability and to prevent degradation; and (iii) for degraded soils, restore to full soil health. We have enough knowledge now to move forward with the implementation of best management practices to maintain and improve soil health. This analysis shows that this is not just desirable, it is essential if we are to meet the SDG targets by 2030 and achieve sustainable development more broadly in the decades to come.

Bio: Tom’s positions with the agriculture and forestry ministry in the Alberta government included extension agent, soil conservation specialist, manager and senior policy advisor. His consulting career has spanned agriculture development and policy as well as soils topics in agriculture, forestry and reclamation, at local locations and across other continents. His background and training across a range of agriculture, industry and government environments has enabled him to translate across disciplines and provide pragmatic solutions to current and strategic issues. Technically his soils research has focused on landscapes and scales beyond test tubes and small plots using technology, models and expert knowledge. Recently he edited a policy sourcebook for integrated policy for UN-FAO as well as served as a thematic co-chair at a global conference on sustainable agriculture mechanization (FAO). He and Elizabeth live in Edmonton where they raised three children and now enjoy three grandchildren.

Talk Title: Opportunities for soil scientists to enable the Sustainable Development Goals.

Abstract: The last three decades has seen an emergence of international environmental agreements that has pressured countries to include environmental considerations in design and implementation of policies at all scales. The latest, and most complex, iteration is the Sustainable Development Goals with 17 interconnected goals, 169 targets and thousands of events, publications and actions arising from the concomitant rise of supporting bureaucracy and academic ventures. Multiple levels of reporting and measures at international to sub-national scales illustrate the magnitude of issues facing us to achieve the goals in the next five years.  Only recently has the topic of integrated policy arrived on the scene as many countries are frustrated with the SDGs converging with similar expectations from other agreements (climate change, biodiversity, degradation, etc). Soil science can help with solutions: 1) Soil resources and its derivatives can be shown to be the hyphae linking various agreements and goals, 2) Practitioners can develop skills and abilities to meet the challenges of integration, scales and expertise, 3) Opportunities can be identified to enable soil scientists to provide leadership to design solutions and participate in achieving goals of the SDGs and related international agreements.  Illustrations and evidence will be drawn from academic and grey literature and experiences to reveal enlarging career paths for soil scientists!

Bio: Anne is a Professor of Land Reclamation and Restoration Ecology, Director of the Future Energy Systems Research Program, and Director of the Land Reclamation International Graduate School at the University of Alberta. She is a world authority in land reclamation, with extensively published research that led to policy changes benefitting the environment and industry, and a new Canadian soil order for human built soils (Anthroposols). She served on the Alberta Environmental Appeals Board 14 years, and on executives of numerous professional organizations, editorial boards, and expert advisory boards; and is Editor-In-Chief of the Canadian Journal of Soil Science. Anne received numerous awards recognizing her outstanding scholarship, teaching and community service, including the CLRA Noranda Land Reclamation Award, Alumni Award of Excellence, Alumni Honour Award, Distinguished Agrologist, Rutherford Award of Excellence for Undergraduate Teaching, 18 Faculty Teacher of the Year, the prestigious 3M Fellowship, and UofA’s highest award the University Cup.

Bio: David Lobb is a Professor of Landscape Ecology in the Department of Soil Science at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, Canada. David grew up on a farm in southern Ontario, and he earned his BSc from the University of Toronto and his MSc and PhD from the University of Guelph. He is internationally recognized for his research in tillage translocation and tillage erosion. His expertise in soil erosion and conservation has been sought by the UN’s International Atomic Energy Agency and Food and Agriculture Organization, and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, in addition to provincial and federal government agencies across Canada. David is vice-chair of the FAO’s Intergovernmental Technical Panel on Soil. David is a Fellow of the Canadian Society of Soil Science , the Soil and Water Conservation Society, the Soil Science Society of America, and he was inducted into the Canadian Conservation Hall of Fame.

Talk Title: Beyond Conservation Tillage: A new spin on old ideas.