In January 2000, the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS) sent out a survey to its national members regarding how geological organizations around the world are engaged in activities related to public policy. The note that went out to all IUGS affiliated organizations started by saying, "The geological sciences play a critical role in a wide range of public policy issues that include minimizing the impacts of natural hazards, obtaining necessary natural resources, and protecting the environment. Geologists have a great deal to contribute to the development of sound public policy in these areas, and it is important that policymakers and the general public receive geologic input." A first step to meeting this goal is to take stock in what activities are currently underway at the national and regional scales regarding geoscience input on public policy decisions. The survey requested information on whether organizations have issued position statements, contact information, names and titles of geoscientists in major policy positions in the government, key geoscience policy issues facing their country, and major international geoscience policy issues. Organizations were also asked to nominate a representative to the IUGS Working Group on Public Affairs.

As of June 2000, twenty-two surveys have been returned, nearly half of them from European nations. There were three responses from organizations that were not country-specific: the Geological Society of Africa, the International Association of Sedimentologists, and the International Society of Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering. Two responses were returned from Asia - Taiwan and Indonesia -which principally provided contact information. Several responses from Africa provided information on the link between the earth sciences and the developing nations of the continent. There were three responses from former Soviet Union states. No responses arrived from the Americas or Oceania. Fifteen of the responses named a representative to the IUGS Working Group on Public Affairs. The survey and full text of the responses is available at the end of this report. We encourage additional national members and affiliated organizations to fill out and return the survey.

Europe
Eleven surveys were returned from Europe - British Geological Survey, Geological Survey of Ireland, Institute of Geologists of Ireland, Earth and Climate Council of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, National Geological Commission (Spain), Geological Survey of Northern Ireland, Finnish National Committee for Geology, Swiss IUGS Committee, Geological Research Institute (Albania), Geological Survey Department, Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment (Cyprus); and IAEG Commission nr 17 on Aggregates (Sweden).

Nearly all the organizations that responded are involved in some manner with public policy, either through outreach activities or as a sector of the government. Several European states have departments within the government to advise policy makers on the geoscience aspects of an issue. Europe is in a unique position with the sovereignty of the European Union in addition to the national government. Several respondents made reference to the European Federation of Geologists (EFG), an organization with representation from twenty countries.

Few of the European organizations have actually released position statements, due primarily to the fact that many of these groups are government agencies. An exception to this observation is the British Geological Survey, who in conjunction with the Geological Society released a statement on nuclear waste disposal, and the Swiss Paleontological Society, which issued a policy statement concerning the position of paleontology in Swiss universities and museums. Policy activities in many of these nations include a range of activities beyond issuing statements. For example, in Finland, the Geological Society of Finland and the Finnish National Committee for Geology organize seminars and discussion forums that have been successful in reaching local decision makers.

The European nations share many of their major national geoscience policy issues in common. A common theme was the need to educate students and society as a whole about the many roles that the geosciences can play in issues facing society, such as natural hazards, climate change, and sustainable development. Several groups have prepared reports or opinions on the position of the geosciences in education within their respective nations. Land use planning and the environmental impacts of land use, especially the issues of water resources and resource use, is a major topic that many European nations are facing. Other key issues include: geotourism and geological conservation, subsurface management, hazardous waste material disposal, climate change, and natural hazard mitigation.

Most groups view climate change, water resources, and natural hazards as major international issues, as well as establishing the geosciences as central to the political process. Of key interest to the Geological Survey of Sweden is the integration of geoscience disciplines and the exchange of information between scientists. Other international issues include: effects of large dams on environment, waste disposal, pollution of marine environments, sustainable development. resource exploration and exploitation, and the development of international standards.

Africa
Four surveys were returned from Africa - Botswana, Morocco, Tanzania, and Zambia. Unlike the more developed countries in Europe, these African nations mentioned more resource and environmental issues as they relate to exploration and development of natural resources. These nations do not have many professional organizations, but they do have government agencies or offices that are primarily resource geology related. In Tanzania, the Tanzania Geological Society does not participate in policy advocacy but many of the geoscientists involved in the government, national institutions, and companies are members of the Society. The other two responses were from the national geological surveys of Botswana and Morocco, both of which are governmental offices.

The Tanzania Geological Society did submit prepared resolutions to the government, but their survey response did not expand on what topics were covered. In Botswana, the Geological Survey is involved in developing legislation related to mines, mineral resources, environmental protection, and water resources. The Geological Society of Zambia does not participate in geoscience policy, but there are geoscientists acting as the Director of Mines and the Director of Mines Safety.

Unlike the responses from central Africa, the Moroccan Geological Survey (MGS) is very active in geoscience policy and provided great detail about their activities. MGS is a public institution under the Ministry of Energy and Mining. It is involved in geological infrastructure achievement, geologic hazards, mining and petroleum exploration, industrial minerals and building materials, environmental protection, and water research. The Moroccan Bureau of Mining Research is responsible for mining activities related to exploration, promotion and investment in the mining sector.

The Ministry of Energy and Mines (MEM) has developed the National Plan for Geological Cartography, a ten year plan aimed at geological infrastructure; the Mining Investment Chart, which deals with promoting mining exploration and exploitation investments; and the Hydrocarbon Law, which promotes petroleum exploration and exploitation investments.

Issues facing MEM and MGS include attracting private investors for the mining and petroleum sectors, which are plagued by complicated regulations, while trying to implement a Mining and Geological Information System that requires substantial financial support and international cooperation. In addition to these two issues, MGS must deal with budget limitations and a lack of sufficient information systems for mining and geology.

Other national-scale issues that African nations are facing include natural hazards, impacts of quarrying and mine wastes on the environment, the effects of exposure to dust during mining operations, the placement of industries in geologically unstable areas, groundwater management, and a lack of geoscience voice in policy.

At the international scale, the respondents agreed that the development of advanced technologies, environmental issues related to exploitation and use of natural resources for poverty eradication in developing nations, infrastructure achievement in developing nations, natural resource management, natural hazards, and geoscience education and research in developing nations are key topics facing the international community.

Former Soviet Union
Three responses from Former Soviet states - Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Estonia - provided information on the role of these newly independent states. All have non-governmental geological organizations, and most of them are active in public policy.

The Georgian Branches of IAH, IAEG and IGA2 responded that the Georgian Department of Geology took part in the adoption of the Water Resources Law enacted by Parliament. Also, the Georgian Geothermal Association presented its "Using Geothermal Energy" project to the government as an alternative energy source that could greatly reduce CO2 emissions. The Institute of Hydrogeology and Engineering Geology distributed letters to the government and public on the risks that a Baku-Supsa pipeline would have on the Black Sea coastal zone. Georgia's major national issues include rational exploitation of natural resources, atmospheric contamination, water resources, and soil resources. The Azerbaijan National Committee of Geologists (AzNCG) does not engage in public policy issues. AzNCG is most concerned about the preservation of the environment while exploring and using that nation's natural resources. Along this line, AzNCG hopes to persuade the oil and gas industries to use advanced technologies to exploit these resources.

The Estonian National Committee for Geology (EstNCG), according to their response, has spent much of its energy after regaining independence on carrying out existing legislation. EstNCG, along with other organizations, has provided information to the government via several reports that have been used to formulate new legislation. One of the most striking examples of EstNCG policy action was during the Phophoriate War in the late 1980s, when EstNCG, the Institute of Geology, the Estonian Academy of Science, and the President of the Estonian Academy of Sciences stressed the need for thorough studies, including environmental aspects, before designing any phosphate mines in NE Estonia as planned by the Soviet government. They have also been active in defeating the teaching of creationism in the schools.

All three nations claim that sustainable usage of natural resources and geoscience education are major national issues. These nations see environmental problems, the need for a general theory of the Earth's history, natural hazards, and the need for a greater sense in the general public that the geosciences are connected with the quality of life as key international issues.

Asia
Responses from Indonesia and Taiwan were the only ones from Asia. The Indonesian response only provided contact information. The Taiwan response included some information on the Geological Society's activities that initiated the first reading of the Law of Geology by the Legislative Yuan.

International/Regional Associations
Three organizations that were either regional or professional responded to the survey - the Geological Society of Africa, the International Association of Sedimentologists, and the International Society of Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering. None of these organizations have issued policy statements, but the Geological Society of Africa did publish a report entitled "Role and Objectives for the 21st Century." These groups see geoscience education, resource management especially in developing nations, nuclear waste storage disposal and remediation, and coastal erosion and flooding as key international issues. The International Association of Sedimentologists did release a Position Paper at its 1997 meeting that was intended for an international audience on Environmental Sedimentology in the Coastal Zone.

Contact Person for Public Policy:

Contact Information (please include e-mail address if possible):

Do geologic organizations in your country engage in public policy activities (e.g. position statements, advocacy with legislature, public outreach, letters from organization to political leaders)? Which organizations and which activities?

Have geologic organizations in your country issued position statements? If so, on what issues (please attach copies of the statements if possible)?

Please list the names and titles of geoscientists in your country holding major policy positions in the government.

What are the major geoscience policy issues facing your country?

What do you see are the major international geoscience policy issues?

Do you wish to nominate a representative to the IUGS Working Group on Public Affairs (please include contact information including e-mail address if possible)?

Thank you for taking the time to fill out this survey. Please send by mail, fax, or e-mail to:

Dr. David Applegate
American Geological Institute
4220 King Street, Alexandria VA 22302-1502, U.S.A.
Phone: 1-703-379-2480 ext. 228; Fax: 1-703-379-7563
E-mail: applegate@agiweb.org

Posted August 27, 2000