To develop a knowledgeable, experienced, and innovative geoscience workforce, we need to:

Improve the resiliency and flexibility of the geoscience workforce by increasing representation of diverse viewpoints and fostering a safe and inclusive work culture.

To optimize the balance between resource use and a healthy society:

Assess the safety of disposing of liquid waste in deep wells. This method of disposal is commonly used to dispose of treated wastewater, chemicals, and oil field brines, but it can potentially induce earthquakes or contaminate groundwater. Geoscience investigations can help make this type of disposal safer.

To ensure the long-term sustainable use of our oceans, coastal resources, and polar regions:

Conduct basic and applied research on ocean and coastal issues. An improved understanding of ocean and coastal processes will help protect the oceans and marine life, increase resilience of coastal communities, and promote economic growth by constructing accurate scenarios for the ocean’s behavior in the future.

To support a secure supply of minerals the U.S. needs to:

Assess the nature and distribution of domestic mineral resources, especially critical minerals, and improve the topographic, geological, and geophysical mapping of the United States to ensure this information is available for both industry and government. Fundamental information on the Nation’s mineral resources is essential for government, industry, energy, defense, environmental, financial, and community decision making, including technology and trade policies.

To manage the Nation’s soils efficiently:

To minimize the potential impact of natural hazards:

Encourage basic and applied research to strengthen community resilience by minimizing impacts on people and infrastructure. Geoscientists study the links between natural hazards and Earth processes and how natural hazards impact society. They identify hazard-prone areas through geologic mapping and LiDAR technology, and advise on transportation planning, land-use practices, and building codes, leading to more resilient communities.

For an energy-secure nation:

Assess the quantity, quality, and location of energy resources. Geoscientists improve understanding of energy resources, enabling decision makers to create robust energy policies and allowing energy producers to develop resources more efficiently.

To optimize clean water availability:

Increase monitoring of both the quantity and quality of surface water and groundwater. Knowledge of the state of water resources and how they change both spatially and over time is critical for protecting, maintaining, and restoring the Nation’s water quality and quantity. It is important to collect, manage, and widely share this information effectively.

For a climate-resilient nation: