“Mind the Gap”: GSA’s Role in an Evolving Global Society (2017 GSA Presidential Address)

Geoscience is the integrator of the natural, physical, and mathematical sciences as our efforts increasingly span across a spectrum of disciplines. As such, we are the stewards of the Earth. Our science, whether basic or applied, has relevance to society. It provides the foundation and path forward for addressing everything from environmental and natural hazard issues to informing discussions on public health, climate change, and global security. And it provides the fundamental context for understanding humanity’s existence in the universe. Should it not follow then that the geosciences are a fundamental science— taught as part of a foundational curriculum in all schools in order to create an earth-literate public? The answer to this rhetorical question is clear. There continues to be broad public support for the nation’s scientific achievements, a trend that has been stable for the past few decades. Approximately 76% of Americans have at least a fair amount of confidence in scientists to act in the public interest (Pew Research Center, Oct. 2016), including an appreciation for the positive impact that science research has on the environment. And about the same number (~70%) think that government investment in basic science research pays off (Pew Research Center, 29 Jan. 2015). There is, however, substantial disparity between how the public and scientists perceive science-related issues and the contribution of scientific efforts to society. For example, the same study (Pew Research Center, 29 Jan. 2015) reveals the divide among the public regarding perceived consensus by scientists on fundamental topics such as the big bang theory, climate change, and evolution (Fig. 1A). The public is also largely pessimistic regarding the role geoscience research plays in guiding clean air, water, and land-use regulations. And despite the fact that nearly 60% of the public appreciates the impending resource limitation due to population growth, 4 in 10 remain confident that “the world will find a way to stretch its existing natural resources” (Fig. 1B). In this context, it is not hard to appreciate why we struggle to generate government and public support for the geoscience enterprise.