T140 Geoscience and the Community: An Exploration of Ways to Become Involved

Tuesday, 30 October 2007
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM

SCIENTISTS' VITAL ROLE IN PUBLIC POLICY

Paper number: T140-16
Program: Technical Sessions
Time: 11:45 AM – 12:00 PM

Authors

Abstract

As recent events have shown, science can be a divisive and acrimonious part of the legislative process. Geologists are both loathe to express any sort of bias and tend to work on timescales beyond a human lifetime. At a time when scientists have shown that humans are impacting their environment over relatively (and geologically) short periods of time, it is imperative that geologists participate in the legislative process to properly inform our representatives. Whether it is landslides and tsunamis or earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, geoscientists know better than anyone the earthly hazards we face. Who better to inform the public of the consequences of our actions?

Unfortunately, the legislative process is not often shaped by reason and rationality. Indeed, science and morality are often pitted against one another. Moreover, everything about the scientific establishment, the personalities involved, the ethics of the profession, even the tenure process, discourage scientists from becoming involved in politics. None of this should deter us. Scientists often live and work in cocoons of well-educated, like-minded individuals with little opportunity to interact with the general populace. However, it is vital that we reach out to those outside of our community and inform them on issues that affect all of our lives.