“Those who know care, those who care lobby” - The Social and Capital Value of Living Soil  (Soil Security Series)

In Panel 2 of this series, panelists will explore the Capital and Connectivity dimensions of the Soil Security Framework, highlighting the critical gap in human-soil connection and economic recognition of the value of soil. We will hear different stories from around the world on how people connect to soil in socio-economic, cultural, and spiritual ways, which determine the nature of human activities that affect soil, a living entity, and all the forms of life that it supports. This panel will also feature case studies, tools, and frameworks that capture social bonds to soil, economic valuation models, and the role of incentives and governance. The session will foster dialogue across science, policy, and practice on how to activate societal will and unlock soil investment.

Speakers:

Dr. Julio C. Pachón-Maldonado

Postdoctoral Research Associate in Soil Security: Codification-Connectivity/Pedometrics, Sydney Institute of Agriculture & School of Life and Environmental Sciences, 

The University of Sydney

Julio Pachón is a soil scientist whose work centres on soil security, particularly the dimensions of Connectivity—people’s awareness and engagement with soils—and Codification—the legal and policy frameworks that protect them. He has collaborated with stakeholders across Europe, Africa, South America, North America, and Australia, combining field-based pedological experience with advances in digital soil mapping and policy analysis. His current focus is on self-assessment tools that allow farmers, policymakers, and land managers to connect directly with the latest soil research in a personalised way, while also exploring how artificial intelligence can assess legislation and strengthen governance frameworks that bring soils into global sustainability debates.

Additional speakers TBC


Date, Time & Format: 

September 21 

16:30 IST / 21:00 AEST / 14:00 EAT/ 13:00 CEST

Convert to local time here

Zoom Registration Link: savesoil.org/SoilSecurity