GeoSpectrum

Geoscience Currents #15 investigates the distribution of under-represented minorities in the United States and the distribution of universities with geoscience departments.  States where under-represented minorities make up more than 35% of the population typically have a larger number of 4-year degree-granting institutions. However, less than half of those schools offer geoscience degrees. Read more in Geoscience Currents #15: Under-Represented Minorities and Geoscience Departments.

Why Earth Science is so Important

Originally posted on Discovery Earth Live TM

As Hurricane Ike slammed into the Texas gulf coast late Friday, humankind again confronted powerful forces of nature and the limits of our ability to withstand them. The city of Galveston, wiped out on September 8, 1900 by The Great Storm as it was called, faced the unthinkable a second time 108 years later, almost to the day.

As assessments of damage and loss of life are reported from the Gulf Coast, the city of Houston, and surrounding areas, we’re grateful for modern advances and the efforts of public safety officials, knowing things could have been much worse. Those of us not struggling to survive and put life back together can also reflect on our relationship with this amazing planet.

Earth in all its complexity is a beautiful, bountiful place that supports life in myriad ways. Its water, soils, climate, and other resources permit life to flourish. At the same time its natural processes such as hurricanes, earthquakes, and other hazards threaten life.

Humankind will continue to thrive if we increase our knowledge and understanding of Earth, as well as our respect for it. To that end, geoscientists and others from Albania to Zambia are raising awareness of the earth sciences and the role they play in improving our health, prosperity, and safety.

International Year of Planet Earth (IYPE) is an initiative of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization and the International Union of Geological Sciences. A triennium event spanning 2007-2009, IYPE was officially launched in Paris in February.

Under the theme “earth sciences for society,” 73 countries are participating with science programs and outreach events. Each national committee is focused on topics most relevant to the country in which they live. Subjects range from sustainable resource development to reducing risks associated with natural and human-induced hazards.

Geoscientists have always known the benefits of their work for the global community and its quality of life. We also know we need to do a better job of sharing our knowledge and experience with others who can use it to the greater benefit of society.

Ten science themes of IYPE reflect the broad areas in which earth sciences have much to contribute:

• Groundwater – Toward sustainable use
• Hazards – Minimizing risk, maximizing awareness
• Earth & Health – Building a safer environment
• Climate – The record in rocks, sediment, and ice
• Resources – Toward sustainable use
• Megacities – Going deeper, building safer
• Deep Earth – From crust to core
• Ocean – Abyss of time
• Soils – Earth’s living skin
• Earth & Life – Origins of diversity

As challenges associated with population growth, availability of fresh water, and competing global demands for energy, mineral, and other resources increase, the need for geoscientists grows. Through IYPE we hope to ignite the interest of young people around the world, encouraging them to study the earth sciences and contribute their ideas and energy to this great work.

To learn more about International Year of Planet Earth and activities around the world, visit www.yearofplanetearth.org

Larry Woodfork is Chairman of the Board of Directors of International Year of Planet Earth. He is a professional geologist with many years of experience focused on geology in the public interest. He currently divides his time between a consulting practice in energy development and service to several not-for-profit organizations.

The American Geological Institute (AGI) is sponsoring a new, fourth contest in conjunction with both Earth Science Week and The International Year of Planet Earth (IYPE).

In addition to the Photo, Essay, and Visual Art contests offered each year as part of Earth Science Week, a new global photography contest, “Exploring Earth Science Around the World” has been developed. This competition is open to anyone worldwide with images eligible from anywhere around the world – all in celebration of IYPE.

Entrants are encouraged to submit images that highlight the beauty and power of the earth processes. Pictures of landforms, bodies of water, weather, and more that depict the geosciences exploration and research that is occurring across the planet as part of IYPE are ideal.

To learn more about this contest, including rules for submissions, deadlines, and prizes, visit http://www.earthsciweek.org/contests/iypephotocontest/.

Geoscience Currents #14 reports that the total federal funding of for geoscience research has leveled off since 2003, as have the proportions of funding for atmospheric science, geological science, and oceanography. Since the mid-1980’s however, the percentage of geoscience research funding applied to interdisciplinary geosciences has steadily increased. Read more in Geoscience Currents #14: Federal Research Funding of Geosciences.

USGS Coalition to Honor Reps. Dicks and Regula at Congressional Reception

WASHINGTON, DC – Representatives Norman Dicks (D-WA) and Ralph Regula (R-OH) will be presented with the first USGS Coalition Leadership Award at a congressional reception on Monday, September 15, 2008. They will be honored for their enduring support for the United States Geological Survey (USGS). Representative Dicks is Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies and Representative Ralph Regula is former Chairman of the Subcommittee. Additionally, the USGS Coalition reception will highlight the research, information sharing, and services provided by the USGS.

“The U.S. Geological Survey is one of the nation’s premiere science agencies. It benefits the lives of every American,” said Dr. Craig Schiffries, co-chair of the USGS Coalition and director for geoscience policy at the Geological Society of America. “Representatives Dicks and Regula are being honored for promoting the important science sponsored by the U.S. Geological Survey and for providing the agency with the funding required to address many of our nation’s most pressing challenges,” said Schiffries. Data and products derived from USGS research benefit everyone. The work conducted and supported by the USGS informs natural hazards monitoring, drinking-water studies, biological and geological resource assessments, and other activities.

“The need for science in support of public policy decision-making has never been greater,” said Dr. Robert Gropp, USGS Coalition co-chair and director of public policy at the American Institute of Biological Sciences. “USGS scientists produce knowledge that supports water, energy and mineral resource management, wildlife and ecosystem management, and protection and prevention measures for natural disasters. Representatives Dicks and Regula have long recognized this and worked to provide the agency with the resources necessary to serve our nation,” said Gropp.

“We look forward to this opportunity to publicly acknowledge the leadership of Representatives Dicks and Regula on behalf of the U.S. Geological Survey.” said Schiffries. USGS scientists and their collaborators will be on hand at the reception to discuss the vital work the USGS conducts in the biological, geographical, geological and hydrological sciences. The reception will occur from 5:30 to 7:30 PM in the Gold Room (Room 2168) of the Rayburn House Office Building.

Members of the news media interested in attending the Reception or receiving additional information about the USGS Coalition should contact mkelhart@aibs.org.

The key educational support product for Earth Science Week 2008 (October 12-18) is the Toolkit that enables teachers, students, and the public to explore this year’s theme “No Child Left Inside.” The 2008 edition of this resource is now available through the American Geological Institute (AGI).

The 2008 Toolkit contains several resources developed by AGI, including the new editions of the Earth Science Week Activity Calendar and classroom poster with activities suitable for all ages provided by AGI, its Member Societies and other organizations. In addition to these traditional Toolkit publications, this year AGI’s education department teamed with Walden Media to create a “Journey 3-D” educator guide with 3-D glasses to explore where science fact meets science fiction in the movie “Journey to the Center of the Earth 3-D.”

Several other organizations contributed materials for inclusion in the Toolkits. The U. S. Geological Survey provided a 3-D geosciences poster. NASA supplied a CD-ROM of Earth Observations from Space. NOAA provided climate literacy information while ESRI included a CD-ROM on GIS technology and activities. A field notebook with an activity from Rite in the Rain is also part of each Toolkit.

These items and much more can be found in each Earth Science Week Toolkit aimed at engaging the students and general public in exploring the geosciences. The Toolkits are available for the cost of shipping and handling ($6.95 in the United States). Bulk pricing is available. To order, visit http://www.earthsciweek.org/materials/.

Earth Science Week is an annual event held the second week of October to promote an understanding and appreciation of the earth sciences. It is coordinated by the American Geological Institute with generous support from the U.S. Geological Survey, the AAPG Foundation, and the National Park Service. To learn more about this event, please visit http://www.earthsciweek.org/.

The American Geological Institute (AGI), in conjunction with its Member Societies, is announcing the release of “Critical Needs for the Twenty First Century: The Role of the Geosciences.” This concise document suggests policy directions for the next President, his administration, federal agencies and the United States Congress. The document identifies seven national issues and the role geosciences can play in addressing them: energy and climate, water, waste disposal, natural hazards, infrastructure, raw materials, and workforce and education needs.

With energy, natural hazards, and climate change in the news, the geosciences are more visible today than ever before.  The geosciences have never been more central to the major pressing issues facing the nation. “Critical Needs for the Next Century” intends to unite the geosciences so they are heard in the policy making decisions of the next administration.

Dr. Pat Leahy, Executive Director of AGI says “This document highlights the most prevalent issues facing the earth sciences and the nation’s policy challenges for tomorrow.  By distributing this document, we are ensuring that the needs of the nation will be met by the next administration and in turn the efforts of the geosciences community will be recognized as key contributions to tackling society’s needs.  As we struggle to balance energy and economic and environmental well being, the geosciences will become increasingly important.”

AGI is unveiling this document as part of the first annual Geosciences Congressional Visits Day, where over sixty geoscientists will be visiting their members of Congress encouraging steady investment in geoscience research and education. A PDF of “Critical Needs for the Twenty First Century” is available on the AGI Government Affairs Web Site at http://www.agiweb.org/gap/trans08.html.