Academics, scientists, and government stakeholders will gather in Sydney next week to discuss the critical role soil can play in securing agricultural productivity and fighting climate change.
The Agriculture, Soil Health, and Climate Change Forum will be co-hosted by the United States Studies Centre at the University of Sydney and the Australian Government’s Department of Industry, Innovation, Climate Change, Science, Research and Tertiary Education.
The forum will provide an opportunity for the Australian Government to outline its approach to address greenhouse gas emissions and improve soil security by building soil carbon stocks in agricultural soils, as well as hearing from experts from the US.
“Soil security underpins agricultural productivity and global food production, helps to buffer against land degradation, and provides a potentially powerful tool with which to combat climate change,” said Andrea Koch, program leader of the Soil Carbon Initiative at the US Studies Centre.
“There are real prospects for achieving greenhouse gas abatement in Australian soils, for example by building soil carbon, improving fertiliser use efficiency, and adding biochar.”
Speakers at the forum include:
- Neeta Hooda — Senior Carbon Finance Specialist, Carbon Finance Unit, World Bank, Washington DC
- Charles Walthall — Deputy Administrator (Acting), Natural Resources and Sustainable Agriculture Systems Research, United States Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service
- Robert Hill AC — Adjunct Professor in Sustainability, US Studies Centre
- Andrea Koch — Program Leader, Soil Carbon Initiative at the US Studies Centre
- Jeff Baldock — Stream Leader, Soil Carbon and Nitrogen Balance in Agricultural Lands and Sustainable Agriculture Flagship, CSIRO
- Shayleen Thompson — Head of Division, Land, Department of Industry, Innovation, Climate Change, Science, Research and Tertiary Education, Canberra
- Natalie Williams — 2012 Nuffield Australia Farming Scholar
What: Agriculture, Soil Health, and Climate Change Forum When: Friday 26 July, 9am–4pm Where: Locomotive Building, Australian Technology Park, Redfern
Media Enquiries Jonathan Bradley: phone 0411 864 702 or email
