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The use of abundant and relatively inexpensive fossil fuels over ExxonMobil Updated 2021 Energy & Carbon Summary (April 2021): https://
the past century has contributed to the emergence of the United corporate.exxonmobil.com/-/media/Global/Files/energy-and-carbon-summary/
Energy-and-carbon-summary.pdf
States as an economic power and has raised the standard of living BP Statistical Review of World Energy: https://www.bp.com/en/global/corporate/
for much of the developed world. Oil, gas, and coal resources sup- energy-economics/statistical-review-of-world-energy.html
ply fuels for transportation, electric power, and industrial and resi- International Energy Forum (IEF): https://www.ief
dential heating. They also provide the energy and basic chemical Climate Statements of GSA and Other Scientific Societies
feedstocks for the manufacture of the steel, plastics, and textiles AAAS Board statement on climate change: https://www.aaas.org/sites/default/
files/s3fs-public/aaas_climate_statement1.pdf
that support our modern standard of living, and the fertilizers and Climate information statement of the American Meteorological Society:
pesticides needed to feed a growing global population. However, https://www.ametsoc.org/ams/assets/File/aboutams/statements_pdf/AMS_
anthropogenic greenhouse-gas emissions, the majority from fossil Statement_Climate_Change_April2019.pdf
fuel combustion, have a profound impact on global climate, with Climate position statement of the American Geophysical Union: https://www
effects on local and regional ecosystems and public health. There .agu.org/-/media/Files/Share-and-Advocate-for-Science/Position-Statements/
Society_Must_Address_the_Growing_Climate_Crisis_Now_2019.pdf
is a clear policy rationale and a United Nations mandate to reduce Climate public policy statement of the American Chemical Society: https://
global carbon and other greenhouse gas emissions in order to miti- www.acs.org/content/dam/acsorg/policy/publicpolicies/sustainability/
gate the impact of climate change. globalclimatechange/climate-change.pdf
Global demand for energy is predicted to grow significantly Climate scientific statement (Executive Summary) of the Geological Society
through 2050 as the human population approaches eight billion, of London: https://www.geolsoc.org.uk/~/media/shared/documents/policy
/Statements/ CC%20Statement%20Exec%20Statement.pdf?la=en
and developing and emerging countries transition to consumer- GSA Position Statement on Climate Change: https://www.geosociety.org/
based economies (www.eia.gov/outlooks/ieo/). While the forecasts documents/gsa/positions/pos10_climate.pdf
indicate a significant increase in global fossil fuel consumption,
the absolute and proportional increase in renewables (solar, wind, Other Relevant Professional Society Documents
hydro, geothermal, biomass) is dramatic. American Geosciences Institute (AGI) “Geosciences Supporting a Thriving So-
The challenge for energy policy makers is to develop a plan ciety in a Changing World: Energy” (2020) https://www.americangeosciences
.org/policy/critical-needs/2020/energy
that will provide cost-effective improvements for the efficient GSA Position Statement on Critical Minerals and Materials https://www
and sustainable use of Earth’s energy resources, provide reliable .geosociety .org/documents/gsa/positions/pos23_CriticalMinerals.pdf
and affordable energy to the world’s developing economies as GSA Position Statement on Role of Government in Mineral and Energy Re-
well as the developed nations of the world, reduce carbon emis- sources Research: https://www.geosociety.org/documents/gsa/positions/pos11
_GovInEnergy.pdf
sions, and accelerate the transition to renewable energy without
adversely impacting global standards of living. The knowledge International Organization Climate Reports
and expertise of geoscientists take on added importance as coun- CC Climate Change 2021 Summary for Policy Makers: https://www.ipcc.ch/
report/ar6/wg1/downloads/report/IPCC_AR6_WGI_SPM_final.pdf
tries and industries worldwide adapt to climate change and work Sixth Assessment Report (AR6) of the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel
to reduce carbon emissions. on Climate Change (IPCC): https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg1/
In its 2020 pamphlet, “Geosciences Supporting a Thriving United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) 2014 Syn-
Society in a Changing World,” the American Geosciences thesis Report: https://www.ipcc.ch/site/assets/uploads/2018/02/SYR_AR5_
Institute stated the importance of energy and the role of the FINAL_full.pdf
nation’s geoscientists as follows: United Nations Paris Agreement on Climate Change: https://treaties.un.org/
doc/Treaties/2016/02/20160215%2006-03%20PM/Ch_XXVII-7-d.pdf
Energy supports economic growth and national security and is essen- Other Climate Information Sources
tial for all the elements of daily life—food, water, transportation, NASA: https://climate.nasa.gov/
communication, and entertainment. The United States’ robust and National Academies: https:// www.nationalacademies.org/topics/climate
secure energy systems enable our high quality of life. Geoscientists National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: http://www.noaa.gov/climate
find and develop earth- and ocean-sourced energy resources, such as University of Maine Climate Change Institute: https://climatechange.umaine
oil, natural gas, coal, uranium, and geothermal hotspots. They also .edu/climate-matters/maines-climate-future/
find and develop the raw materials needed for renewable energy U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: https://www.epa.gov/climate-change
sources: cement and metals for dams, critical metals for wind turbine
generators and solar installations, and battery storage metals like lith- OPPORTUNITIES FOR GSA AND ITS MEMBERS
ium and cobalt. In addition, geoscientists help determine appropriate
locations for energy infrastructure including refineries, transmission TO HELP IMPLEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS
lines, dams, and wind farms. To facilitate implementation of the goals of this position state-
ment, the Geological Society of America recommends the follow-
Resolution of the energy issues that are presently being debated ing actions:
will have significant economic, strategic, environmental, health, • GSA members should seek opportunities to communicate effec-
and security consequences. Input from geoscientists is critical to tively the role and importance of geoscientists to society in locat-
informing the public and policy makers about the consequences of ing, evaluating, and developing all forms of energy resources and
different options. assessing the impact of energy resource development and opera-
tions on the natural environment.
• GSA members should make clear to national, state, and local
REFERENCES AND INTERNET LINKS governments, community groups, local decision makers, and the
Energy Statistics
United States Energy Information Agency (EIA) International Energy Outlook general public the link between fossil fuel use and climate change,
2021: http://www.eia.gov/outlooks/ieo/ and the importance of reducing carbon and other greenhouse gas
International Energy Agency: https://www.iea.org/data-and-statistics emissions by transitioning to renewable energy resources.

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