FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Joseph Lilek (outreach@americangeosciences.org)

August 18, 2017

 

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The American Geosciences Institute (AGI) is pleased to announce the completion of fifty new factsheets, which quantify the tangible contributions of geoscience (earth science) to the economy, environment, public health and safety of every U.S. state.

 

"As geoscientists, we study the Earth system in every corner of the country," said Maeve Boland, Director of Geoscience Policy at AGI. "But it has been difficult to compare the value and contribution of our science to individual states."

 

Recognizing this need, AGI has gathered information from nationwide sources to generate this comprehensive, standardized set of factsheets. Unlike a lengthy report, these factsheets allow federal and state decision-makers to glean important facts about the role of geoscience and the government agencies that fund geoscience in their states as quickly as possible. 

 

"The factsheets are each thoughtfully divided into ten sections with identical line items that can be compared apples-to-apples across all fifty states," said Boland.

 

Perhaps most importantly, the factsheets frame geoscience as a discipline that brings benefits to every state. Water, minerals, and petroleum - all natural resources that many of us take for granted - would not be safely available without geoscience. Furthermore, geoscience brings jobs, attracts students and faculty to universities, and spurs research and innovation, while helping mitigate the risks of public health emergencies and natural hazards like earthquakes, hurricanes, and droughts.

 

These factsheets can also inform government policies and budget decisions on geoscience topics. When geoscientists arrive on Capitol Hill in September for in-person visits with their state representatives as part of the 10th annual Geosciences Congressional Visits Days, they will be bringing these factsheets with them. Allyson Anderson Book, AGI's Executive Director, believes that is important:

 

"Here at AGI we work to make earth science accessible - regardless of whether you are a geoscientist or not. With these factsheets, scientists can more easily communicate how geoscience is vital to society at the state and local level."

 

 

 

The American Geosciences Institute is a nonprofit federation of geoscientific and professional associations that represents more than 250,000 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.

 

 

Joseph Lilek, Communications Manager

(703) 379-2480, ext. 244

Twitter: @AGI_Updates

 

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