Geoscience input for the next President

The geoscience community is actively engaged in raising issues and recommendations for the next President of the U.S.

AGI has released a report on "Critical Needs for the Twenty First Century: The Role of the Geosciences." Key recommendations are to:

• Establish a Natural Resources Advisor within the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy
• Invest in mapping, monitoring, assessments, and surveys of natural resources
• Invest in R&D on Earth processes for sustainable consumption of resources, enhancement of environmental quality, and resilience from risk

The state geologists, through AASG, have also prepared a short briefing of key issues facing the nation that the geoscience can help address. AASG addresses water, energy, natural hazard, climate change, and resource issues.

This is the first time the geoscience community has taken the initiative in the transition. In the past, professional societies might weigh in with a recommendation or endorsement of possible candidates for heading geoscience programs in federal agencies, but not much more than that.

The next step is to get these materials to each campaign's transition teams (yes, the teams are in place and working away on their post-November plans).