International Science in the National Interest at the U.S. Geological Survey (2012) / Chapter Skim
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The committee was tasked to examine the Survey's past and present international activities that support the USGS national mission, to identify international research areas for the coming 5 to 10 years that have high potential to benefit both USGS strategic science directions and national priorities for the U.S. government, and to identify impediments to more effective USGS participation in international science activities.
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In 2010-2011, the Survey restructured under the following seven mission areas: Climate and Land-Use Change; Core Science Systems; Ecosystems; Energy and Minerals; Environmental Health; Natural Hazards; and Water. These science mission areas align with the goals of the DOI strategic plan and the overall USGS mission.
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CURRENT INTERNATIONAL SCIENCE AT THE USGS The Survey's primary international activities, as they relate to its domestic mission and broader national interests, are summarized below with reference to each of the seven mission areas. All of these international activities help to support U.S.
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Among the mission area's ongoing international activities are the World Petroleum Assessment; gas hydrate research; geothermal energy; global mineral resource assessments; and global mineral commodity summaries and life-cycle analysis. Environmental Health Environmental Health research at the USGS encompasses the study of relationships among the quality of the physical environment, the health of the living environment and human health, and provides information on such issues as the effects of water, air, and soil contaminants on environmental health.
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The USGS has a number of international research activities that contribute to understanding of large river systems, flooding, and groundwater availability and contamination, and to technology development and aquifer assessments. This work increases USGS capacity to fulfill its domestic responsibilities in determining freshwater availability, identifying water sources, and forecasting outcomes for water availability to inform land-use practices and decisions about the development of mineral and energy resources.
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. These opportunities readily BOX S.1 USGS Opportunities in International Science Opportunities that Complement Existing International Science Activities Global natural hazards planning and response.
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they demonstrate clear means both to leverage and benefit the scientific strengths and directions of the USGS and to complement ongoing, domestic activities; and (2) they indicate strong potential for project results to increase the Survey's ability to meet needs of the U.S.
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Although the committee noted caution on the part of the USGS in fully promoting its numerous and broad-ranging accomplishments in the international arena, the USGS can be justifiably proud of its widely recognized and successful international activities in global Earth science. The committee sees compelling arguments for the USGS to play a dynamic role in international science.
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As part of this broader international role, and recognizing that these endeavors maximize the effective use of government resources, the USGS can consider forging stronger links with a variety of international and domestic partners. Other nations' geological surveys and international organizations (e.g., OneGeology)
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From the committee's experience, information about USGS international activities is not readily available to the public in a conveniently organized, useful, and informative way. Although the committee became well informed about the Survey's many successful international science activities from a variety of extramural and Survey sources, the value of these activities would not be evident to the general public.
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An interesting, user-friendly website focusing on global Earth science and featuring brief descriptions of the Survey's current and recent international activities and collaborations, with ref erence to more detailed information elsewhere on the USGS website, would help promote greater public appreciation and understanding of these activities. REFERENCE Gundersen, L.C.S., J
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