International declaration: Geoscience expertise is crucial for meeting
global societal challenges
A new declaration endorsed by GSA, the European Geosciences Union, and
other international geoscience societies affirms the commitment of the
Earth, planetary and space science community to support and promote
scientific knowledge and research for the benefit of humanity.
Munich, Germany: The specialized knowledge and skills that geoscientists
possess are crucial for providing the essential resources and healthy
environments that humanity needs to thrive. To highlight this relevance,
six of the world’s largest geoscience societies have endorsed a declaration
affirming the commitment of the international geoscience community to apply
its expertise to meet societal challenges and pledging to work together to
support essential geoscience research.
In the Declaration of the Significance of Geoscience Expertise to MeetGlobal Societal Challenges, the organizations emphasize that humanity’s
ability to both anticipate and meet current and future challenges depends
upon the development of innovative science and technology, to understand
their origins and to implement successful strategies for addressing them.
In the document, the societies also recognize their shared responsibility
to utilize scientific research results to increase humanity’s resilience to
single, as well as multiple and interrelated, societal challenges, whose
cascading effects can only be understood by carrying out complex analyses
with which geoscientists have particular expertise.
In addition to reaffirming their commitment to use science to help humanity
prevent, prepare for, and recover from regional and global crises, the
organizations pledge to effectively communicate research results to improve
the public trust in science. The societies, including the European
Geosciences Union, The American Geophysical Union, the Asia Oceania
Geosciences Society, the Geological Society of America, the Japan
Geoscience Union and The Geological Society of London, further agree to
support policy makers and evidence-informed decision making for the benefit
of society and the planet.
“As the scope, complexity and urgency of challenges like the coronavirus
outbreak or environmental change escalate, the expertise of geoscientists
becomes increasingly relevant and important,” says EGU President Alberto
Montanari. “Due to their unique skillsets, Earth, planetary and space
scientists have a duty, as well as an obligation, to openly and
transparently address key societal issues that are of everyday relevance to
people around the globe.”
The declaration was issued today to coincide with the start of the European
Geosciences Union’s annual General Assembly. Traditionally held in Vienna
each spring, the meeting this year will instead be conducted virtually due
to the ongoing pandemic. This change will enable a large community of
scientists, policymakers, and journalists, as well as members of the
public, to learn about the latest results of thousands of geoscience
research projects taking place around the globe.
“By working together,” says Montanari, “geoscientists will leverage our
ability to implement feasible solutions to help realise a sustainable and
just future for people, our shared planet and its vital ecosystems.”
Press Contact:
Terri Cook
Head of Media, Communications and Outreach
European Geosciences Union
Munich, Germany
Email: media@egu.eu
EGU on Twitter: @EuroGeosciences
The Geological Society of America, founded in 1888, is a scientific society
with more than 20,000 members around the world from academia, government,
and industry. Through its meetings, publications, and programs, GSA
enhances the professional growth of its members and promotes the
geosciences in the service of humankind. Headquartered in Boulder,
Colorado, GSA encourages cooperative research among earth, life, planetary,
and social scientists, fosters public dialogue on geoscience issues, and
supports all levels of earth science education.
https://www.geosociety.org
# # #