New solutions for soil: Ecomondo call for papers is still open

Ecomondo 2021 awaits new solutions for soil health. Until June 30, you can send your abstracts. Papers will be presented at the fair in October

by Matteo Cavallito

There is time until 30 June to send your research abstract under the initiative launched by Ecomondo, the most important European fair for Green Economy. The papers, developed around the theme of the most innovative solutions for soil health and food, will be reviewed by the Technical Scientific Committee that includes experts representing Ecomondo, European Mission for Soil Health and Food, Re Soil Foundation and Coldiretti. Prior to the event, scheduled to take place in Rimini, Italy, from 26 to 29 October 2021, farmers and researchers from all over Europe will be asked to present their case studies. The researches, selected by July 15, will be unveiled during the meeting Caring for soil is caring for life: soil health policies and innovation scheduled for October 28.

From circular economy to forest protection

Many themes inspire the studies. These include the use of organic waste for compost production, technological innovations for recycling and the circular economy. But also policies to ensure a truly sustainable food security. The list also includes forest management, digitalization and strategies to tackle pollution.

Reserchers have to follow some crucial guidelines. Best practices and innovations implemented in partnership with research centers, for example, is one of them. Others include the ability to monitor and evaluate the results achieved (which is notoriously a key problem), environmental impact and communication strategies.

Mission Soil at Ecomondo

The event scheduled at Ecomondo will be attended by Andrea Tilche, consultant of the Italian Ministry of Ecological Transition, Angelo Riccaboni, national representative of Mission Soil Health and Food in Italy. Speakers list also includes Catia Bastioli, CEO of Novamont and member of the Board of Mission Soil, Marco Falzetti, Director of the Agency for the Promotion of European Research (APRE) and Roberto Moncalvo, member of the Board of Directors of Fondazione Re Soil. The event will provide an opportunity to highlight the importance of soil health as a central issue at global level.

“Life on Earth depends on healthy soils. Although we pay very little attention to them,” Ecomondo promoters say. “60-70% of EU soils are unhealthy” according to estimates. While “25% of land are at high or very high risk of desertification in Southern, Central and Eastern Europe.” And the consequences are well known. “It is estimated that the costs associated with soil degradation in the EU exceed 50 billion € per year“. That’s why “the European Commission Mission’s goal is that by 2030, at least 75% of all soils in each EU Member State are healthy or show significant improvement. So, we need to act now!”

Only few days left to submit the abstracts

According to a statement by Ecomondo: “Abstracts accepted for an oral or poster presentation (acceptance will be communicated by 10 July) may become a 5/6-pages article (in Italian or in English) to be published in the Ecomondo conference proceedings, or in English, to be published in the peer-reviewed Procedia Environmental Science, Engineering and Management by the end of October 2021. A limited number of accepted abstracts can become full papers to be submitted to the peer-reviewed Environmental Engineering Management Journal (IF: 1.3) after Ecomondo 2021 to have all accepted papers out by May 2022.”