U.S. Department of the InteriorU.S. Geological Survey

33rd IGC | International Consortium of Geological Surveys 33rd IGC | International Consortium of Geological Surveys

An Integrated Strategy for Government-Sponsored Science

Mark Myers, Director U.S. Geological Survey

11 August 2008

An Integrated Strategy for Government-Sponsored Science

Mark Myers, Director U.S. Geological Survey

11 August 2008

U.S. Department of the InteriorU.S. Geological Survey

Night light produced largely from fossil fuels

An index of population and human power in the environment

NASA

Lots of Us Using Lots of Stuff!Lots of Us Using Lots of Stuff!

Night light produced largely from fossil Night light produced largely from fossil fuelsfuels

Human-induced changes on a global scale Human-induced changes on a global scale

Rising demand for resources

Approaching thresholds of ecosystems

Scientific knowledge is essential for a sustainable society

Rising demand for resources

Approaching thresholds of ecosystems

Scientific knowledge is essential for a sustainable society

Ecosystem ServicesEcosystem Services

Goods and services of value to humans that come from natural systems

Not well integrated into decision making

Not fully valued in economic discussions, societal decisions

Markets are insufficient to convey benefits of ecosystems

Goods and services of value to humans that come from natural systems

Not well integrated into decision making

Not fully valued in economic discussions, societal decisions

Markets are insufficient to convey benefits of ecosystems

Finding balance - environment and peopleFinding balance - environment and people

Science – a bridge to rational solutionsScience – a bridge to rational solutions

Evangelical Leaders Join Global Warming Initiative - New York TimesFebruary 8, 2006By LAURIE GOODSTEINDespite opposition from some of their colleagues, 86 evangelical Christian leaders have decided to back a major initiative to fight global warming, saying "millions of people could die in this century

Copper prices set another recordBy Dale Funk, Contributing EditorApr 1, 2006 12:00 PMWhile most wire and cable industry veterans and commodity analysts expected 2006 to be a year of moderation for copper prices, when copper jumped 9.45 cents to nearly $2.36 a pound on March 17 on the New York Mercantile Exchange, it set another record.

A British experts report on climate change warns that failure to curb global warming could trigger worldwide economic devastation, with poor countries hit first and hardest.  Prime Minister Tony Blair called for urgent international action.

The Relevance of National SurveysThe Relevance of National Surveys

Authoritative, unbiased Authoritative, unbiased

Accessible Accessible

Extensive national and global observation networks and Extensive national and global observation networks and databases require a national commitment databases require a national commitment

Historical perspective essential for information continuity Historical perspective essential for information continuity and archival and archival

Decision support toolsDecision support tools

Partnerships optimize science resources, build consensus Partnerships optimize science resources, build consensus

USGS Science StrategyUSGS Science StrategyUSGS Science StrategyUSGS Science Strategy

Understanding Ecosystems and Predicting Ecosystem Change

Climate Variability and Change

Energy and Minerals for America’s Future

A National Hazards, Risk, and Resilience Assessment Program

The Role of Environment and Wildlife in Human Health

A Water Census of the United States

Data Integration and Beyond

Circum-Arctic Resources AssessmentCircum-Arctic Resources Assessment

First publicly available petroleum resource estimate of the First publicly available petroleum resource estimate of the entire area north of the Arctic Circle; released 23 July entire area north of the Arctic Circle; released 23 July

Conducted with international partnersConducted with international partners Geological Survey of CanadaGeological Survey of Canada

Geological Survey of Denmark and GreenlandGeological Survey of Denmark and Greenland

U.S. Minerals Management ServiceU.S. Minerals Management Service

Norwegian Petroleum DirectorateNorwegian Petroleum Directorate

USGS World Energy ConsortiumUSGS World Energy Consortium

Cambridge Arctic Shelves Programme Cambridge Arctic Shelves Programme

Polar bears and a changing ArcticPolar bears and a changing Arctic

USGS science findings contributed to the DOI decision to USGS science findings contributed to the DOI decision to

list list

polar bears as a threatened species polar bears as a threatened species

1. Sea ice is vital to polar bear survival1. Sea ice is vital to polar bear survival

2. Sea ice habitat has dramatically melted in recent 2. Sea ice habitat has dramatically melted in recent

decadesdecades

3. Models suggest sea is ice likely to further recede in the 3. Models suggest sea is ice likely to further recede in the

future future

USGS studies other impacts of changing Arctic conditionsUSGS studies other impacts of changing Arctic conditions Other Arctic speciesOther Arctic species

Recoverability of energy resourcesRecoverability of energy resources

Law Of The Sea issuesLaw Of The Sea issues

Great Southern California ShakeoutGreat Southern California Shakeout

New frontiers for Geological Surveys New frontiers for Geological Surveys Beyond traditional categories of natural resourcesBeyond traditional categories of natural resources

Assess energy alternativesAssess energy alternatives

Consider societal resilienceConsider societal resilience

Expand as vital sources for science informationExpand as vital sources for science information

Toward future geological surveys Toward future geological surveys Toward future geological surveys Toward future geological surveys