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1 Introduction
Pages 13-22

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From page 13...
... was established in 1879 with national responsibilities in the areas of land classification, geology, and mineral resources. Since its inception, the USGS has responded to national needs in these and other areas that span the Earth sciences, including hydrology, geophysics, geochemistry, biology, climate, and environmental health.1 Information acquired from Earth science research, mapping, and monitoring plays an essential role in issues of public importance, such as water quality and public health, the provision of energy, mineral, and water resources, risk reduction from natural hazards, and conservation of natural habitats.
From page 14...
... . The committee was tasked specifically to examine past and present international activities that support the USGS national mission, to identify priority international research areas for the coming 5 to 10 years, and to identify challenges to the USGS participation in international science activities.
From page 15...
... OSTP indicates the importance of addressing the science and technology issues of a changing climate, constraints on energy resources, and environmental degradation from a global perspective.4 OSTP also suggests that national economic and defense security are improved through the strength of the nation's research and adequate support for high-quality science, some of which can be realized by increasing research collaboration with other countries.5 The NSTC's objectives include establishing national goals for U.S. science and technology investments and ensuring that these investments contribute to economic prosperity, public health, environmental quality, and national security.6 Several NSTC reports and documents (e.g., NSTC, 2010; 2008; 2007)
From page 16...
... Realignment of USGS Mission Areas Pragmatic reasons for the current assessment of the scientific directions for future USGS international activities relate, in part, to major organizational changes at USGS, implemented in 2010-2011 and based upon the science strategy developed in 2007 (see Box 1.3)
From page 17...
... The Strategic Plan also identifies the USGS as DOI's primary science organization, with sister bureaus conducting mission-specific research to support their programs, and outlines the following goals for the USGS: • ensure the quality and relevance of science products to partners and customers; • provide science for sustainable resource use, protection, and adaptive management; • provide scientific data to protect and inform communities; and • develop a comprehensive science framework for understanding the Earth.
From page 18...
... Geological Survey Science in the Decade 2007-2017 -- examined the Survey's major science goals and proposed a new science strategy with six science directions: • Understanding Ecosystems and Predicting Ecosystem Change: Ensuring the nation's Economic and Environmental Future • Climate Variability and Change: Clarifying the Record and Assessing Consequences • Energy and Minerals for America's Future: Providing a Scientific Foundation for Resource Security, Environmental Health, Economic Vitality, and Land Management • A National Hazards, Risk, and Resilience Assessment Program: Ensuring the Long-Term Health and Wealth of the Nation • The Role of Environment and Wildlife in Human Health: A System that Identifies Environmental Risk to Public Health in America • A Water Census of the United States: Quantifying, Forecasting, and Securing Freshwater for America's Future In addition, the 2007-2017 Science Strategy recognized the essential role in all USGS science goals of expanded information technology and other crucial emerging technologies to allow for the seamless sharing of data and information -- a field now known as core science systems.
From page 19...
... is now simply called "Environmental Health." The strategic science directions remain the focal areas for the seven national mission areas, and the international activities that impact these missions are the subject of this study. Hereafter the committee uses the term "mission area" when referring to one or more of the Survey's seven areas of science priority.
From page 20...
... SCOPE AND STRUCTURE OF THE REPORT To address the three specific points identified in the committee's statement of task as well as the more general points related to international collaborations and interactions that support and enhance USGS strategic science directions and U.S. government national and 20
From page 21...
... government needs, Chapter 3 presents selected examples of international activities that demonstrate the breadth and depth of the USGS international engagement.7 Chapter 4, "Strategic International Science Opportunities for the USGS," describes potential new international endeavors that the committee deems particularly compelling for the USGS to consider undertaking. This chapter addresses another component of the statement of task, which is to identify areas in which USGS involvement in international activities would, over the next 5 to 10 years, have high potential to benefit USGS strategic science directions or U.S.
From page 22...
... Multiple approaches are required to solve scientific problems domestically and abroad, and the USGS is in a position to address pertinent government priorities by working in coordination with other federal agencies and organizations and by applying scientific expertise to address pressing issues with an international dimension. Examination of the compelling international scientific opportunities that the USGS might pursue in the Earth sciences is thus timely and appropriate.


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