International Science in the National Interest at the U.S. Geological Survey (2012) / Chapter Skim
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Appendix C: USGS Historical International Engagement: Background Paper
Appendix C: USGS Historical International Engagement: Background Paper
Pages 129-152
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From page 129... ...
This background paper has been prepared by the USGS International Programs Office and has been reviewed by the USGS Bureau International Committee (BIC) , but is not an official document of the USGS.
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From page 130... ...
It documents the early years of USGS international engagement, the rapid growth of USGS international work in the years following WW II, and the recent changes within the last decade as the USGS has increasingly emphasized multidisciplinary work and has grappled with post 9/11-related changes. The paper cites a number of different USGS international activities, not as a comprehensive discussion of USGS work, but as examples of the breadth and depth of USGS international efforts.
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From page 131... ...
Global science issues such as climate and global change, invasive species, food shortages, emerging diseases, changing ecosystems, biodiversity, energy and mineral resources, natural hazards, and water quantity and quality are all of great concern today, and are examples where USGS science is involved internationally. In addition, more than any time in recent memory, there exists at this time a heightened expectation of the potential for science diplomacy to inform foreign policy and contribute towards world peace and mutual understanding around the globe.
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From page 132... ...
This work led to the creation of the Geologic Survey of Pakistan. D uring this period the USGS continued international work through its Military Geology Branch.
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Additionally, in 1991, the USGS partnered with the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) , resulting in the USGS hosting the North American Node of its Global Resource Information Database (GRID)
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In 1985, the USGS began the Volcano Disaster Assistance Program (VDAP) in cooperation with USAID's Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA)
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Developments at the USGS In the decade of the nineties, the USGS continued to expand its international engagement. In 1995, the Office of International Geology became a Bureau-level International Programs Office, called the International Programs Office, under the Associate Director for Geology.
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From page 136... ...
Hurricane Mitch support: In 1998, with the support of USAID, the USGS launched one of its first interdisciplinary efforts in the international arena. The successful Hurricane Mitch Project involved USGS staff from the Geography, Geology and Water Divisions, working together in four Central American nations under a USAID financed disaster recovery program.
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From page 137... ...
Three examples are of note. Global Seismic Network: The USGS is an active partner in setting up and operating the Global Seismic Network (Figure C.4)
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Global Mineral Resource Assessment Project: mineral resources are also of National importance and the USGS Global Mineral Resource Assessment Project attempts to assess the global availability of selected critical minerals while the USGS minerals information team tracks the global supply and demand for virtually all minerals commodities. An example is provided as USGS (2010)
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FIGURE C.5 2009 U.S. net import reliance for selected nonfuel mineral materials.
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The USGS EROS facility in Sioux Falls, South Dakota hosts the World Data Center for medium resolution satellite imagery, the UNEP GRID North American 140
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Most of these facilities are collocated with a university. Finally, many USGS scientists are leaders in their area of specialization.
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. In evaluating this work, one Deputy Undersecretary of Defense noted that, "The USGS work has fundamentally changed the discussion of how Afghanistan might economically develop." FIGURE C.8 USGS preliminary mineral resource assessment of Afghanistan.
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A previously cited example is USGS leadership of the RELEMR program which uses earthquakes to bring Middle East countries together. Similarly, USGS leadership of the Middle East EXACT program used 143
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Science diplomacy efforts are becoming increasingly important and one may reasonably expect them to become a larger part of USGS' international activities. Embassy Science Fellows Program: The USGS is an important participant in the State Department's Embassy Science Fellows (ESF)
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, the Inter-American Biodiversity Information Network (IABIN) , the Global Invasive Species Information Network (GISIN)
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The new USGS reorganization makes this an excellent time to review past USGS international engagements and contemplate what changes might be made to support and strategize future USGS international science. In making these evaluations, it will be critical to consider the role of international work in supporting the USGS core responsibilities as a domestically focused agency that is committed to multi-disciplinary science.
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From page 147... ...
ANNEX 1 USGS INTERNATIONAL PROGRAM OFFICE In 1995, the Office of International Geology became a Bureau-level International Programs Office under the Associate Director for Geology. During this same time period, the USGS established the Biological Resources Division (BRD)
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From page 148... ...
A number of programs and activities developed and coordinated by these specialists are discussed in this background paper/ The second group within the International Programs Office is the Bureau Support Unit. Their primary task is to obtain passports, visas, State Department clearances, and other logistical support that is required for USGS international travelers, which amount to over 1000 per year.
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From page 149... ...
The six mission areas, which are inherently international or global, include global climate change, water resources, natural hazards, energy and minerals, ecosystems, and data integration. ANNEX 3 LIST OF ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS AFRICOM Africa Command, DOD, Stuttgart, Germany ARC Arctic Resource Center, USGS, Reston, VA BGR German Geologic Survey BGS British Geologic Survey 149
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IOC Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission 150
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USGS United States Geological Survey 151
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2000b. "Science Priorities Team for International Activities" (SPTIA)
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