CRITICAL ISSUES WITH A FOCUS ON GEOSCIENCES FOR SUSTAINABILITY

Since 2008, the American Geosciences Institute has published policy documents for elected officials in presidential election years. The first document, titled Critical Needs for the Twenty First Century: The Role of the Geosciences, focused on societal challenges the geosciences address: energy and climate change, water, waste treatment and disposal, natural hazards, and raw materials. It also emphasized educating the public and training a sufficient and able geoscience workforce. The 2012 document added ocean, atmosphere, and space resources; human-made hazards; and infrastructure. In 2016, soils and coastal resources were added, and a derivative document with policy recommendations highlighted geosciences’ roles in enhancing national and homeland security, increasing economic prosperity, securing resources, strengthening national infrastructure, supporting strong and resilient communities, and growing a dynamic workforce. The 2020 report added polar regions and emphasized optimizing the balance between resource use and a healthy society.

The 2024 document will be drafted before the primaries by a committee of AGI Member Societies’ representatives. AGI has adopted a theme of “Geosciences for Sustainability,” including international goals for sustainable development, the recognition that changes to Earth systems occur naturally and from human activities, and the need to sustain the geoscience enterprise. Geopolitical and economic developments in recent years (impacts of wars, pandemics, global supply chains, etc.) highlight the importance of the geosciences in sustainability. This edition will be framed by the political and economic challenges of today with exploration of how geosciences support solutions. The content will draw upon consensus reports of the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine; policy statements of Member Societies; and input from the 2023-2024 leadership of the Member Societies. Like its predecessors, the 2024 document will be a tool for supporting decision making regarding funding priorities and public policy. Although the focus will be national, the report should also be helpful to candidates for office and elected officials at state, provincial, and federal levels.