Economic drivers of the geosciences

The geoscience component of U.S industry gross domestic product (GDP) "more than doubled between 2002 and 2006. Total geoscience GDP in 2002 was $26.6 billion and in $60.7 billion in 2006. Additionally, the geoscience component of national GDP, which increased from 0.25% in 2002 to 0.46% in 2006. Total geoscience industry GDP is projected to increase to $73.8 billion by 2016," according to newly released final chapter of the AGI Workforce Program ("Economic Metrics and Drivers of the Geoscience Pipeline").

This report "examines productive activity, commodity pricing and output, gross domestic product contribution, and market capitalization of the industries within which geoscientists work, along with the drivers that influence the geoscience component of the overall economy."