webinar

Assessing, Mitigating, and Communicating Flood Risk

Wednesday, February 8, 2017

Background: Flooding is a perennial hazard for rivers and coasts alike. Every year, flooding results in billions of dollars of damage and the loss of dozens to hundreds of lives across the United States.  Efforts to mitigate this hazard rely on the work of geoscientists, planners, and communicators to assess and minimize risks, prepare and inform communities, and ensure that lives and livelihoods are prioritized before, during, and after flood events.

Our speakers are:

Webinar Co-Sponsors: American Association of Geographers, American Institute of Professional Geologists, American Meteorological SocietyAssociation of State Floodplain ManagersFederal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), International Association of Hydrogeologists: United States National Chapter, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Natural Hazard Mitigation Association, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

CEU Credits

To earn CEU credits, please complete the associated on-demand GOLI course that was developed from this webinar with a grade of 70% or higher and then submit your application for CEUs. CEUs are awarded from the American Institute of Professional Geologists. To view the full list of on-demand GOLI courses, please browse the GOLI course catalog.

Resources to learn more:

Search the Geological Surveys Database for reports and factsheets about flood risk.

 

Flood Risk: USGS Flood Inundation Mapping Science

How Elections Affect the Geosciences: Navigating New Leadership

Friday, September 30, 2016

What do Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton have to do with geoscience?  Believe it or not, elections—whether presidential or congressional—can have large implications for scientific research. Presidents set national priorities and policies, and Congress funds (or doesn’t fund) federal research often based on its own prerogatives and agenda. Join us for an informational webinar as we attempt to navigate the upcoming presidential transition during #election2016.

Webinar Resources:

YouTube download icon View the webinar recording

pdf download icon Download the presentation slides

Take Action!

Our speakers are:

Dr. Gene Whitney (Congressional Research Service, Ret.) served as Energy Research Manager for the Congressional Research Service (retired).  Previously, he was Assistant Director for Environment at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP). His work at OSTP focused on federal policies for earth sciences, energy, water, natural hazards, remote sensing, environment, and natural resources. Prior to OSTP, Dr. Whitney was chief scientist for the U.S. Geological Survey Energy Resources Team. He has extensive international experience and currently serves as Chairman of the National Academies of Science Board on Earth Science and Resources. Dr. Whitney received his Ph.D. in geology from the University of Illinois.

Virginia Ainslie (CEO, Ainslie & Associates) has more than 30 years of experience working with Congress on policy and funding issues, including research priorities.  As the CEO of Ainslie & Associates since 1986, she has successfully secured more than $2 billion in federal funding for client priorities through direct advocacy in support of changes in authorizing law; many of which still remain in effect today and continue to support her clients’ needs. Ms. Ainslie has a B.S. in Chemistry and a duel degree in Political Science from Michigan State University. She also worked with the American League of Lobbyists to develop the Lobbyist Code of Ethics.

Brittany Webster (Public Affairs Specialist, American Geophysical Union) has worked for the American Geophysical Union since 2015. In her role, she connects policymakers with scientists and vice versa to increase Congressional recognition of the value of the Earth and space sciences. She also works with many coalition partners to broaden the impact of the geoscience policy community’s advocacy initiatives. Ms. Webster got her start in science policy working for a Member of Congress, who served on the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee. She received her J.D. from Boston University School of Law and her B.A. in Comparative Literature and International Affairs from The University of Georgia.

Abby Seadler (Geoscience Policy Manager, American Geosciences Institute) has experience working with the geoscience community and stakeholders in Congress to build consensus and movement on issues including basic research, natural hazards, and energy and mineral resources. Ms. Seadler is currently pursuing her M.S. in Environmental Sciences and Policy at Johns Hopkins University. She received her B.A. in Geoscience and Government from Hamilton College. 

Now Online: Advising Strategies for Improving Employment Placement of Your Students

Screen shot of the webinar as it appears on YouTube
A recording of the most recent Heads and Chairs webinar from the American Geophysical Union and the American Geosciences Institute titled, "Advising Strategies for Improving Employment Placement of Your Students" is now online. Aaron Johnson, the new Executive Director of the American Institute of Professional Geologists, shared his experiences at Northwest Missouri State University and their strategies in advising that greatly improved the employability of their graduates and helped grow the department. The next webinar will be on November 11, 2016 and is on "Managing Alternative Program Formats within your Department."
 

Critical Issues: Recording and Slides Available for Critical Issues Webinar, "Desalination as a Source of Fresh Water"

Flyer for Desalination Webinar. Image Credit: U.S. Geological Survey
On Tuesday September 20, the Critical Issues Program hosted a webinar on the state of desalination in the United States and further afield. The three speakers were Tzahi Cath (Colorado School of Mines), Jessica Jones (Poseidon Water), and Katherine Zodrow (Montana Tech). Topics covered included the past, present, and future of desalination technologies; the costs and waste management challenges of desalination plants; the recently opened seawater desalination plant in Carlsbad, California; and brackish groundwater use and desalination in Texas. A recording of the webinar and the speakers’ slides can be found at bit.ly/desal-webinar.

Desalination as a Source of Fresh Water

Tuesday, September 20, 2016

Background: Fresh water is an increasingly scarce resource in an increasingly populous and water-intensive world. Maintaining an adequate supply of fresh water both nationally and globally will be one of the largest challenges of the 21st century. Desalination of salty water – from both the ocean and the ground – represents a huge potential source of fresh water. The development of this resource requires a combination of geoscience, engineering, waste management, policy, and community outreach and participation.

Our speakers are:

  • Tzahi Cath, Ph.D., Ben L. Fryrear Professor, Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Colorado School of Mines | pdf download icon Slides   YouTube download icon Video
  • Jessica H Jones, Director of Communications, Poseidon Water | pdf download icon Slides   YouTube download icon Video
  • Katherine R. Zodrow, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Environmental Engineering, Montana Tech of the University of Montana; Non-Resident Scholar, Center for Energy Studies, James A. Baker III Institute, Rice University | pdf download icon Slides   YouTube download icon Video

Webinar Co-Sponsors: National Ground Water AssociationAssociation of Environmental & Engineering Geologists, International Association of Hydrogeologists: United States National Chapter

CEU Credits

To earn CEU credits, please complete the associated on-demand GOLI course that was developed from this webinar with a grade of 70% or higher and then submit your application for CEUs. CEUs are awarded from the American Institute of Professional Geologists. To view the full list of on-demand GOLI courses, please browse the GOLI course catalog.

Resources to learn more:

Search the Geological Surveys Database for reports and factsheets about desalination.

Desalination as a Source of Fresh Water: Desalination 101

Data as a National Asset for Decision-Making

Monday, July 25, 2016

Background:

Robust data collections are vital for understanding and managing Earth’s natural resources and hazards:

  • Earthquake data can help identify quake-prone areas and inform earthquake preparedness.
  • Air quality data can reveal potential health risks and hazards from air pollution.
  • Water quality data can capture noteworthy trends and changes in safety and accessibility.

Our speakers are:

Webinar Co-Sponsors:

American Association of Petroleum Geologists, American Geophysical Union, American Meteorological Society, Consortium for Ocean Leadership, Geological Society of America, Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology, U.S. Geological Survey

Resources to learn more:

Search the Geological Surveys Database for reports and factsheets about geoscience data.

 

AES: Data As A National Asset for Decision Making - Introduction

Offshore Energy

Tuesday, June 14, 2016

Background:

Offshore energy is a huge and growing resource:

  • About 18 percent of U.S. oil and natural gas is produced offshore and production is growing. Globally, the offshore provides 30 percent of oil and natural gas.
  • Offshore wind is also a growing source of electricity, especially in Europe. The U.S. has significant offshore wind power potential, but no commercial wind facilities are in development [2017 update: the first offshore wind project in the United States went live in December 2016 off the coast of Rhode Island].

Ongoing technological advancements assure all these resources will continue to grow while addressing heightened environmental concerns.

Our speakers are:

Webinar Co-Sponsors:

American Association of Petroleum Geologists, American Geophysical Union, Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, Consortium for Ocean Leadership, Geological Society of America

Resources to learn more:

Search the Geological Surveys Database for reports and factsheets about offshore energy.

Advances in Earth Science - Offshore Energy - Historical Perspective

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