BGS highlights the importance of geoscience for climate action in series of virtual lectures

The crucial role of geoscience in creating a more sustainable, prosperous planet will be the focus of a series of free, virtual lectures being held online by the British Geological Survey in October.

As part of BGS’ Geoscience Solutions for Net Zero campaign (#Geo4NetZero), they will feature a range of topics delivered by experts in geoscience.

The lectures aim to share knowledge and broaden understanding about how the UK can build resilience to the impacts of climate change and drive solutions which aim to decarbonise our planet and support the green energy transition.

The lectures are tailored for slightly different audiences but are open to anyone and free to attend.  However, spaces are limited so we would advise people to register in advance.

Each lecture will last around 60 minutes with opportunities to ask questions at the end.

Our family friendly ‘Couch to net zero’ lecture will explore what achieving net zero will look like in our everyday lives and how geology will have an impact on the way we heat our homes, the cars we drive and the technologies we use.

For those with a more advanced or technical interest in geoscience, the series will kick off on 5 October with a lecture on ‘Chasing carbon’ exploring how geoscientific projects and research can provide the fundamental backbone for our energy transition, with topics including geothermal heat, hydrogen and wind energy.

A further lecture will explore the role of geoscience in boosting our resilience to environmental hazards and the impacts of climate change, from our urban spaces to our groundwater resources.  

Those interested in attending should register for their chosen event on Eventbrite:

• Tuesday 5 October: 2.00 pm -3.30 pm
  Chasing carbon: An onshore and offshore challenge
  
• Tuesday 12 October: 2.00 pm – 3.30 pm
  Climate change impacts on the UK: geoscientific perspectives on mitigation and adaptation
  
• Wednesday 27 October: 7.00 pm – 8.30 pm
  Couch to Net Zero: What does geology and climate change mean for you?

Geoscience has a big role to play in our future energy transitions and cleaner, sustainable growth.

With an increasing human population and rising demand for natural resources, concerns about a changing climate, rising sea levels, food and water security, and natural hazards, it is essential that we fully understand our Earth systems and embed these observations into actions for sustainable planet.

Soil resources, minerals, metals and building material resources, our coastal systems, groundwater supplies and environmental processes all rely on a deep understanding of the ground beneath our feet.

Earth scientists will have an important role to play in the delivery of any policies aimed at limiting future climate change and geoscientific skills and expertise will be required to deliver them.

Climate leaders must integrate geoscientific expertise if they are to drive the long-term solutions that will be under the spotlight at COP26, the UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow in November.

“The BGS wants to join UKRI and NERC colleagues to highlight the UK’s role in climate action and demonstrate where UK geoscientific research and innovation can assist emerging climate action.

“I’m pleased that we can encourage collaboration, share knowledge and help more audiences to recognise that whilst the rocks beneath our feet may be out of sight for most of us, what lies underground matters to us all when it comes to creating a more sustainable and prosperous future.”

Mike Stephenson, BGS Science Director, Decarbonisation and Resource Management

#Geo4NetZero is an online campaign which aims to increase awareness around the vital role of geoscience in supporting the UK’s net zero ambitions.

Find out more about #Geo4NetZero on the BGS website.