Event Details

Join academics from LEC as we delve into the subterranean world of soil and plants in the first evening of Pint of Science!

From the soil beneath your feet to the rich variety of plants that grow in it, these are essential components for life on earth. Have you ever wondered what research is happening right now to support this green future? This series of engaging and accessible talks by researchers and academics will show you some of the ways this is being protected for the benefit of all, despite issues such as climate change. Come and see how we can all invest in a brighter future.

Unseen earth: exploring the value of soil

Professor John Quinton

Soil supports life on earth. Without it there is no food, water is not stored and filtered and the largest terrestrial carbon store is lost. In this talk John will explore the hidden world beneath our feet and the sometimes forgotten role it plays in sustaining our planet. John will also offer some take home actions to improve the soil in your life!

Climate Extremes in the Amazon

Dr Nathália Carvalho

The Amazon rainforest is the most biodiverse tropical forest in the world and plays a key role in regulating the global climate. However, the region is increasingly threatened by climate extremes, which have intensified the impacts of high temperatures, floods, and droughts. Climate extremes have increased faster in areas far from the deforestation frontier, affecting mostly the central-northern Amazon, a region with extensive forest cover, indigenous lands and protected areas. In this region, extreme temperatures have already increased by more than 3°C in 43 years. Public policies urgently need to consider the impacts of climate extremes in preserved areas of the Amazon to reduce their effects on ecological and social systems.

Turning Up the Heat: Plants at the Frontier of Climate Change

Dr Armida Gjindali

With a focus on plants and their power, Armida’s focus is on green science for a green planet. She is interested on how plants utilize the energy from the sun to grow and how they adapt to sudden climate changes. In her talk she will present some of the mechanisms plants deploy to survive in an ever-changing environment.