TU Dublin Hosts Inspiring Panel Discussion on Composting and Soil Health in Collaboration with LOESS Project
TU Dublin, in collaboration with the EU-funded LOESS (Literacy boost through an Operational Educational Ecosystem of Societal actors on Soil Health) project, hosted a highly engaging panel discussion titled “Composting and Soil Health – How to Do It and Why We Should” on December 3rd, 2024. The event, held at TU Dublin's Central Quad on the Grangegorman campus, brought together leading experts, students, and the community to explore sustainable solutions for soil health and waste management. Timed to precede World Soil Day on December 5th, the discussion was organised by Dr Claire McDonnell and Dr Saurabh Singh from the School of Chemical and Biopharmaceutical Sciences, in partnership with Dr Ken Boyle and third-year students from the BSc Environmental Management program. The event featured a distinguished panel of speakers:
- Craig Benton, Composting Ireland and Benton Ecological Solutions.
- Craig Douglas, TU Dublin student and environmental educator.
- Michael Gaffney, Senior Researcher and Head of Horticulture Development at Teagasc.
The panellists provided valuable insights into the role of composting in enhancing soil health, reducing waste, and mitigating climate change. Discussions spanned practical composting methods for households and communities, as well as scalable solutions for agriculture and industry. Attendees, both in-person and online, participated in a thought-provoking Q&A session that covered topics such as composting best practices, challenges in large-scale implementation, and the science behind soil rejuvenation. Dr McDonnell emphasised the significance of the event, stating:
The panel discussion exemplifies the power of education and collaboration in addressing pressing environmental challenges. Composting and soil health are essential for sustainable living, and this event demonstrates the tangible impact of collective action.
The LOESS project, funded by the European Union, aims to enhance soil health awareness by fostering collaboration among educators, researchers, and societal actors. This event underscored TU Dublin's commitment to fostering environmental literacy and collaborative research to tackle global sustainability challenges.
To learn more about the LOESS project and upcoming initiatives, visit the official website: LOESS