GEOMORPHOLOGY "MOVING THE NEEDLE" ON PUBLIC POLICY

The 21^st century brings numerous challenges related to human interactions with the earth and environmental system; some of these challenges need to be addressed by local, state, national, and sometimes international public policy. Geomorphology is the branch of geological science most closely linked in focus (earth surface and near-surface) and time scale (mostly the Holocene) to human impacts and applications.

Geomorphology and geomorphologists have several documented and effective tools for "moving the needle" on issues of broad public-policy relevance, including: (1) publication beyond the research literature, including in popular books and media; (2) educating the public and policymakers through the press; (3) targeted advocacy, for example through our scientific societies; and (4) in some cases, through forensic geomorphology.

Broad areas of geomorphic research are relevant to sustainable human occupation of the earth surface, but some authors reach beyond the research literature, directly to the public and policymakers through literary non-fiction and other broadly accessible writing. Similarly, geomorphologists should be aware of best practices for effective communication with journalists. Effective science communication both educates the public and sheds much-needed scientific rigor on a range of current policy issues. Third, scientists also have several options for careful advocacy of public-policy issues or needs, including published OpEds, legislative outreach, and collective engagement through scientific groups such as GSA, AGU, AAAS, and the National Research Council. Lastly, sometimes in the USA in particular, when science and sound management leave gaps in accountability, the legal system is a last recourse. Several historical and recent examples of "forensic geomorphology" will be reviewed to illustrate how, done carefully, scientists can be conscientious advocates and bring scientific rigor to the legal process.

Rigor and objectivity are the foundations of the trust that society places in scientists. But objectivity does not require that we be shrinking violets, shy and silent in our labs. On the contrary, society and sound public policy must be based on rigorous science, and geomorphologists and other geoscientists must be active advocates for that guiding science.