A summary of Dr. Nathalie Touze’s thought-provoking talk on how geosynthetics can mitigate the impact of a raft of global challenges is available to watch online now.
Entitled ‘Healing the world: a geosynthetics solution’, Dr. Touze’s Giroud Lecture described the many ways geosynthetics can tackle the socio-economic, environmental and resource pressures on the modern world.
Challenges discussed included quality food and water, environmental pollution and its health implications, the slowdown of economic development by natural disasters, overcoming economic imbalances, and learning to live together.
IGS Vice President Dr. Touze used the prestigious opportunity to put forward sustainable development goals that could be applied to each issue, such as quality education, sanitation, reducing inequalities, responsible consumption and production, climate action, and effective partnerships.
The ways geosynthetics could alleviate natural disasters and make an economic contribution were among other solutions explored at the 11th International Conference on Geosynthetics (ICG) in Seoul, Korea.
One of the IGS’s highest distinctions, the Giroud Lecture recognizes exceptional achievement and influence in the field of geosynthetics. It is delivered every four years during the opening of the ICG.
The lecture is named after Dr. J P Giroud who coined the terms ‘geotextile’ and ‘geomembrane’ in 1977 and has authored around 400 publications.
Dr. Touze was also presented with a plaque in recognition of her achievements.
Watch and share the short video below or on our YouTube Channel.
Dr. Touze will be giving her Giroud Lecture again at two events in August – at Regeo & Geossintéticos 2019 in Brazil on August 14, and for IGS Chile members on August 16.
About the Giroud Lecture
The Giroud Lecture recognizes exceptional achievement and influence in the field of geosynthetics. It is delivered every four years during the opening of the International Conferences on Geosynthetics. First awarded in 1998, the Giroud Lecture on Geosynthetics is one of the International Geosynthetics Society’s highest distinctions. Previous lectures have been given by Dr. Robert Koerner (1998), Dr. R Kerry Rowe (2002), Chris Lawson (2006), Prof. Heinz Brandl (2010), and Dr. Richard Bathurst (2014). Dr. Giroud developed many of the design methods and originated many of the applications used in geosynthetic engineering, including many of those pertaining to landfills, liquid impoundments, and dams. He holds the status of Honorary Member of the International Geosynthetics Society, has been named a ‘Hero’ of the Geo-Institute of ASCE, has delivered major international geotechnical lectures such as the Mercer and Terzahgi Lectures, and has been recognized by the Order of the Legion d’Honneur in France. He remains very active in the field.