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EOS, TRANSACTIONS AMERICAN GEOPHYSICAL UNION, VOL. 85, NO. 3, doi:10.1029/2004EO030002, 2004

New Report Charts Course for Future of Geosciences

Sam Adlen

Atmospheric, Oceanic and Planetary Physics, Oxford University, Oxford, UK


Emily E. Brodsky

Earth and Space Sciences, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, US


Taikan Oki

Research Institute for Humanity and Nature, Kyoto, Japan


Aaron J. Ridley

Center for Space Environment Modeling, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, US


Laura Sanchez

Divsion de Geodesia, Instituto Geografico Agustin Codazzi, Bogota, Colombia


Claudia Simionato

Dpto. de Ciencias de la Atmosfera y los Oceanos de la Universidad de Buenos Aires, Centro de Investigaciones del Mar y la Atmosfera, Buenos Aires, Argentina


Kazunori Yoshizawa

Earth and Space Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan


Uri Shamir

Stephen and Nancy Grand Water Research Institute, Technion University, Haifa, Israel


Abstract

Over the past century, the geosciences have developed an impressive capability to understand and anticipate events occurring within the Earth system. The past decade has seen an explosion in quantitative geoscience. Progress is continuing to accelerate as advances in observational systems and computational tools are allowing simulations and predictions of geophysical processes with a temporal and spatial resolution unprecedented in human history. With these advances comes the necessity to reflect on the current state of geoscientific research, to reassess the direction in which research should be progressing, and to redefine the goals that can be realistically achieved. The International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics (IUGG) formed a working group of young scientists charged with developing a vision for the future of the geosciences. The working group combined its expertise and enthusiasm to produce a report, “Geosciences: The Future” (www.iugg.org/geosciences.html), and symposium outlining its view of what is to come. Included in this vision are long-term goals for the major fields of geophysics; that is, plans for 50 years in the future, and short-term priorities, such as plans to address over the next decade. In addition, opportunities for interdisciplinary studies, proposals for the advancement of developing countries, and organizational recommendations for the geosciences are highlighted. The justification for this view of the future is based on the fundamental motivations and societal benefits underpinning geoscientific research.

Published 20 January 2004.

Index Terms: 6620 Public Issues: Science policy; 9820 General or Miscellaneous: Techniques applicable in three or more fields; 6605 Public Issues: Education.

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Citation: Adlen, S., E. E. Brodsky, T. Oki, A. J. Ridley, L. Sanchez, C. Simionato, K. Yoshizawa, and U. Shamir (2004), New Report Charts Course for Future of Geosciences, Eos Trans. AGU, 85(3), doi:10.1029/2004EO030002.