The College of Agriculture and Human Sciences (CAHS) celebrated Earth Day with a panel discussion to identify opportunities to help address the pressing issue of climate change.

The panel discussion featured Michael Robotham, Ph.D., associate director for the Soils Information, Soil and Plant Science Division at United States Department of Agriculture-Natural Resources Conservation Service; Samuel David Brody, Ph.D., Rice University adjunct professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering; and Tala Awada, Ph.D., associate dean, and director of the Agricultural Research Division at the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

CAHS Dean and Director of Land Grant Programs Gerard D’Souza opened the panel and encouraged participants to reflect on ways to address the pressing climate change crisis.

“It’s important that we take ownership for doing our part to ensure the health of the planet,” D’Souza said. “It’s going to be up to all of us as individuals and collectively to figure out how to reverse the adverse effects of climate change.”

Robotham shared the work of the United States Department of Agriculture – Natural Resources Conservation Service and explored the work done with landowners to meet their goals and those of society regarding preserving the Earth.

“We’re well-positioned and eager to help. We look forward to working with all of our colleagues,” Robotham said.

Awada echoed the theme of collaboration, pointing out the impact of utilizing research networks.

“I think research networks are very important and play a key role in helping us mitigate climate change and helping us find solutions for sustainable, resilient, and productive agro-ecosystems,” she said.

Brody brought the impact of climate change to the local level, discussing his research on the damage from Hurricanes Ike and Harvey. He pointed that due to the damage sustained from the storms, if another storm with similar effects hit the area, the impacts would be over 20 percent more than in 2008.

“All of these images and events constantly loom over us because we don’t know when the next storm is going to strike,” Brody said. “We hold our breaths every June through October, wondering if this is going to be the next Harvey or Ike. With changing environmental conditions and even more impactful changes to the built environment over time, we’re just loading up impacts for the next storm.”

The event also featured the announcement of the winners of the Earth Day student essay contest. Observing the theme, “Restoring Our Earth,” the students were asked to address potential practices for restoring the earth.

Loghan Figgins received first place-honors, Bryson Ferrell earned second place, and Bryan Robinson garnered third place.

“This is a great opportunity for the college to see opportunities to help the Earth and our fellow citizens,” Endowed Professor of Water Security and Water-Energy-Food Nexus Ali Fares, Ph.D. said. “We are supposed to meet their needs and help them address these challenges. We have a good opportunity for the younger generation to lead them in this way.”

Earth Day has been celebrated each year on April 22. The observance began in 1970 to bring awareness to air and water pollution. Over the years, Earth Day became a global event that mobilized people around the globe. More than a billion people celebrate the observance as a day of action to bring awareness and spur worldwide, national, and local policy changes.