Alexandria, VA – The American Geological Institute (AGI), in conjunction with its Member Societies, is announcing the release of "Critical Needs for the Twenty First Century: The Role of the Geosciences." This concise document suggests policy directions for the next President, his administration, federal agencies and the United States Congress. The document identifies seven national issues and the role geosciences can play in addressing them: energy and climate, water, waste disposal, natural hazards, infrastructure, raw materials, and workforce and education needs.
With energy, natural hazards, and climate change in the news, the geosciences are more visible today than ever before. The geosciences have never been more central to the major pressing issues facing the nation. "Critical Needs for the Next Century" intends to unite the geosciences so they are heard in the policy making decisions of the next administration.
Dr. Pat Leahy, Executive Director of AGI says "This document highlights the most prevalent issues facing the earth sciences and the nation's policy challenges for tomorrow. By distributing this document, we are ensuring that the needs of the nation will be met by the next administration and in turn the efforts of the geosciences community will be recognized as key contributions to tackling society's needs. As we struggle to balance energy and economic and environmental well being, the geosciences will become increasingly important."
AGI is unveiling this document as part of the first annual Geosciences Congressional Visits Day, where over sixty geoscientists will be visiting their members of Congress encouraging steady investment in geoscience research and education. A PDF of "Critical Needs for the Twenty First Century" is available on the AGI Government Affairs Web Site at http://www.agiweb.org/gap/trans08.html.
The American Geological Institute is a nonprofit federation of 45 geoscientific and professional associations that represents more than 120,000 geologists, geophysicists and other earth scientists. Founded in 1948, AGI provides information services to geoscientists, serves as a voice of shared interests in the profession, plays a major role in strengthening geoscience education, and strives to increase public awareness of the vital role the geosciences play in society's use of resources, resiliency to natural hazards, and interaction with the environment.