I was very fortunate to receive the Early Career Travel Grant from the 快猫短视频 (BSSS). I first learned about this opportunity through a previous grant recipient who spoke highly of their experience. The funding covered my travel expenses to New York, allowing me to attend New York Climate Week (NYCW) and the 12th International Youth Conference (IYC12). This support made it possible for me to take part in these events; an opportunity that would have otherwise been difficult to pursue as a self-funded student.
The International Youth Conference (IYC12) was held from 24鈥27 September 2025 in New York City, alongside New York Climate Week. Organised by the International Organization of Youth (IOY) with support from partners such as UN-Habitat, UNITAR, and UNEP, the conference centred around the theme 鈥淵outh Solutions for a Changing World.鈥
I was invited to speak on a panel discussion titled 鈥淧rosperity and Planet: Youth Accelerating Economic Progress and Environmental Resilience.鈥 My presentation focused on the impact of forest fires on vegetation and soil, drawing from my research in the Himalayan region. I discussed how recurring forest fires alter soil physical and chemical properties, reduce fertility, and affect vegetation recovery 鈥 challenges that are becoming increasingly urgent under changing climate conditions.
This was my first experience speaking on an international panel, and it proved to be an incredible learning opportunity. Engaging with young researchers and practitioners from across Aditi Mishra PhD Research Scholar G.B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment, Almora, India New York Climate Week & international Youth Conference (IYC) 27th September 2025 the world helped me understand how others are addressing similar environmental challenges through innovative, community-driven approaches. It also gave me greater confidence in communicating my research to wider audiences and linking soil and forest issues to global climate action.
During the week, I attended several insightful sessions organised by NGOs and international organisations focused on forest management, post-fire restoration, and ecosystem resilience. One of the most memorable was 鈥淔rom Ashes to Action鈥 by American Forests and The Nature Conservancy, which explored strategies for post-fire recovery and introduced new tools for assessing regeneration after wildfires. The Nature Hub also hosted a series of thought provoking sessions offering diverse perspectives on climate and land restoration. These experiences have provided me with valuable new ideas and methods for strengthening my ongoing research.
Networking was another major highlight. I met professionals, researchers, and youth leaders working on related themes, and these interactions opened up potential opportunities for collaboration and future engagement.
The funding from BSSS made this entire experience possible. As a self-funded PhD student, attending an international event of this scale would not have been financially feasible without the Society鈥檚 support. The grant covered most of my travel expenses, enabling me to participate and bring soil science into a broader climate dialogue.
Key learnings from this experience:
- The importance of presenting soil science within global climate and sustainability conversations.
- The value of collaboration across disciplines to address complex challenges such as forest fires and land degradation.
- Practical tools and frameworks for studying post-fire soil and vegetation recovery that will strengthen my current research.
A small challenge I faced was the number of simultaneous sessions across the city, which made planning and prioritisation essential each day. Next time, I plan to prepare my schedule further in advance to make the most of all available opportunities.
Attending the International Youth Conference and Climate Week NYC was a truly rewarding experience. It allowed me to connect with a global community of passionate young people and experts working toward sustainable land and soil management. I made sure to acknowledge BSSS during the event and highlight the valuable role the Society plays in supporting early career researchers in soil science.
I am deeply grateful to the 快猫短视频 for this opportunity and for their continued encouragement of young scientists. This experience has strengthened my resolve to contribute to soil and climate research and to stay engaged with the global soil science community.
