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New and Revised Position Statements
At its May 2018 meeting, GSA Council adopted a new posi- Geosciences Community,” discrimination and loss of equity can
tion statement, “Removing Barriers to Career Progression for be further amplified by LBGTQ intersectionality with gender and
Women in the Geosciences.” Council also adopted minor race. GSA considers sexual harassment, violence, and all forms
revisions to two statements, “Promoting Earth Science Literacy of discrimination unacceptable and is committed to policies, pro-
for Public Decision Making” and “Critical Minerals and grams, and services that will ensure the success of women in the
Materials,” and endorsed a joint statement by the Seismological geoscience professions.
Society of America and American Geophysical Union titled
“The Capability to Monitor the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test- PROMOTING EARTH SCIENCE LITERACY FOR
Ban Treaty (CTBT) Should be Expanded, Completed, and PUBLIC DECISION MAKING
Sustained.” Summaries are below. Full versions of these and
other position statements are available at www.geosociety.org/ The Geological Society of America (GSA) recognizes the crit-
PositionStatements. ical need for citizens and policy makers to understand important
aspects of the earth system as they face issues related to natural
REMOVING BARRIERS TO CAREER PROGRESSION resources, energy, natural hazards, and human impacts on the
FOR WOMEN IN THE GEOSCIENCES environment. GSA supports the active involvement of geoscien-
tists and geoscience educators in helping to improve knowledge
The Geological Society of America (GSA) strongly endorses and understanding of the geosciences among members of the
the right for all to work in a safe, supportive, non-discriminatory, general public in order to support informed decision making by
and recrimination-free environment where trust, respect, equity, Earth’s citizens and communities. GSA and GSA members
fairness, accountability, and justice are honored. Data reveal that should contribute to education and outreach about fundamental
women are underrepresented in the geoscience workplace and concepts of earth science, issues related to long-term human sus-
women of color even more so. Women frequently face systemic tainability on Earth (such as the use and availability of water,
challenges: they are often paid less than men for the same jobs; minerals, and energy resources), and socially prominent topics
receive fewer professional awards to recognize their accomplish- (such as climate change and natural hazards preparedness).
ments; are disproportionately burdened by service roles; are
disadvantaged if they follow alternative career paths due to life CRITICAL MINERALS AND MATERIALS
circumstances; and often are perceived as less competent than
males with identical accomplishments and qualifications. In Mineral resources are essential to modern civilization, and a
addition, women of color experience the double bind of gender thorough understanding of their distribution, the consequences of
and racial discrimination, which provides additional challenges their use, and the potential effects of supply disruption is impor-
to equity. As noted in GSA’s position statement, “Diversity in the tant for sound public policy.
www.geosociety.org/gsatoday 15
