Granada hosts a key event highlighting the role of soil in environmental disaster prevention
On Thursday, June 5, 2025, to mark World Environment Day, the city of Granada hosted an important public lecture titled:
“Soil and Environmental Disasters: The Case of DANA 2024”, led by Dr. Francisco Martín Peinado, Professor of Soil Science at the University of Granada and a member of the SOILCRATES research team, from which the Living Lab Granada Tierra Viva initiative originates.
Held in front of a full audience of more than 50 attendees and supported by a live broadcast, the event reached a wide and diverse audience. The high level of participation and interest in the topic generated a dynamic discussion, with thoughtful questions and reflections following the presentation.
Dr. Martín Peinado’s talk addressed the crucial role of soil in mitigating the effects of environmental disasters, using the devastating floods caused by the 2024 DANA (Depresión Aislada en Niveles Altos) as a compelling case study. He emphasized that the progressive degradation of our soils, driven by unsustainable human activities, significantly increases the vulnerability of ecosystems and human settlements to extreme weather events.
“Protecting soil means protecting life,” Dr. Martín Peinado stated, underscoring the need for urgent, science-based action to restore and preserve soil health as a key component of climate resilience.
The lecture was organized by the Soil Use Evaluation and Planning Section of the Spanish Society of Soil Science, chaired by Ana Romero, who is also involved in the European SOILCRATES project. The event forms part of a broader commitment to science communication and public environmental awareness, aiming to bring scientific knowledge closer to society.
This initiative reflects a growing societal interest in the role of soil in the current climate crisis and the need for sustainable land management strategies. It also reinforces the mission of the Granada Tierra Viva Living Lab as a space for dialogue, innovation, and environmental responsibility.
The speaker’s full academic profile is available via the Impronta Granada platform, where more information can be found about his research and public engagement efforts.
Visit Granada Tierra Viva to read the article in spanish: https://improntagranada.es/granada-tierra-viva/proteger-el-suelo-proteger-la-vida-tierra-viva-junto-a-la-secs/
