In this special edition of Soil Matters, recorded at UNCCD COP17 in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, the British Society of Soil Science takes listeners inside one of the world's most important international gatherings focused on land degradation, desertification, drought and soil health. Hosted by Paul Lincoln, with insights from Andrew Morris, Executive Director of the British Society of Soil Science and UNCCD Civil Society Organisation Panel Representative, and Sopiko Babalashvili, sustainable development advocate and regional representative on the UNCCD CSO Panel, this episode explores why restoring land is central to food security, climate resilience, biodiversity and global stability.
Hear exclusive interviews and reflections from an exceptional line-up of global leaders and experts, including Former President of Finland and UNCCD Land Ambassador Tarja Halonen, Indigenous Peoples' leader Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim, UNCCD Youth Caucus Global Focal Point Rico Rau, EU soil scientist Dr Karen Daly, Spanish UNCCD National Focal Point María Medina, Juliane Wiesenhüter of GIZ and advisor to the German UNCCD Focal Point, Professor Paul Hallett, President of the British Society of Soil Science, Linda Sparrow of Bangalow Koalas, Harrison Achibe Nonoco, Mariana Kapović-Solomun, and members of the UNCCD Civil Society Organisation Panel. Together they discuss the future of land restoration, the growing role of science in policymaking, Indigenous and local knowledge, youth leadership, food security, and the challenges and opportunities emerging from COP17.
From high-level diplomacy to grassroots action, this is a powerful and timely conversation about the future of our soils, our landscapes and our shared responsibility to restore hope through restoring land.
Chapters:
- 00:00 Introduction with Andrew Morris and Sopiko Babalashvili
- 23:54 Discussion with Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim
- 31:27 Discussion with Rico Rau
- 40:02 Discussion with Tarja Halonen
- 55:26 Discussion with Karen Daly
- 1:04:06 Discussion with Linda Sparrow
- 1:09:43 Discussion with Harrison Achibe Nonoco
- 1:15:34 Discussion with Mariana Kapović-Solomun
- 1:23:20 Discussion with Juliane Wiesenhüter
- 1:35:07 Discussion with María Medina
- 1:47:21 Discussion with Paul Hallett
- 1:54:32 Discussion with the UNCCD Civil Society Organisation Panel
- 2:06:26 Final Remarks
For more information, visit: soils.org.uk/soilmatters
