Geology & Public Policy News Archive
2008
GSA Panel Seeks Comments on Public Investment in Earth Science Research [ posted 16 June 2008 ]
Please submit your comments and suggestions regarding the draft position statement by 11 August 2008, to Richard Berg,
.
Improving Tsunami Warnings [ posted 20 March 2008 ]
14 March 2008: GSA cosponsored a congressional briefing in the U.S. Capitol on "Improving Tsunami Warnings Nationwide." This briefing, moderated by former GSA President Mary Lou Zoback, summarized improvements to tsunami warnings and the role and status of observatory networks and warning centers.
[ view summary ]
Congressional Visits Day [ posted 17 March 2008 ]
4-5 March 2008: Former GSA President Mary Lou Zoback and GSA Councilor John Geissman spoke at a press conference in the U.S. Capitol with Rep. Rush Holt (D-NJ) and Rep. Judy Biggert (R-Il), Co-Chairs of the Congressional R&D Caucus, to to address the severe repercussions of recent underfunding of key science agencies. The press conference was convened in conjunction with the 13th Annual Science-Engineering-Technology Congressional Visits Day (CVD). If you are interested in participating in next year's CVD, please contact Craig Schiffries, GSA Director for Geoscience Policy,
.
[ more details ]
2007
GSA Opens Washington Office [ posted 17 Sep 2007 ]
17 September 2007: GSA opens an office focused on public policy and the geosciences in Washington, D.C. The office is staffed by Dr. Craig M. Schiffries, the Society's new Director for Geoscience Policy, who joined GSA 1 Sept. 2007.
[ more details ]
CNSF Fall Hill Visits [ posted 16 July 2007 ]
The Coalition for National Science Funding (CNSF) organized Hill visits on 18-19 September 2007, focused on advocating for the National Science Foundation. All CNSF member organizations are encouraged to bring in scientists, educators, and engineers to participate in the event.
[ how to participate ]
Managing Drought [ posted 16 July 2007 ]
Congressional briefings on "Managing Drought: A Roadmap for Change in the United States" were held Wednesday, 18 July, in the nation's capital. Presented by the Geological Society of America, in association with the Congressional Hazards Caucus and the Hazards Caucus Alliance, the briefings were open to the public.
[ fact sheet | roadmap | press release ]
GSA National Leadership Initiative [ posted 4 Apr 2007 ]
The NLI addresses the need for more effective communication among the Society, its members and their initiatives, and national, state and local policymakers and agencies.
Year of Science 2009 [ posted 6 Feb 2007 ]
GSA participates in the Community Project to Promote the Public Understanding of Science (COPUS ).
"Many in the scientific community see the need for a coordinated and sustained effort by scientists to engage the public directly and with the help of communications experts, to do a better job of explaining the nature of science, and to be ready to learn about and adapt to public perceptions of science in the process."
Climate Change [ posted 12 Jan 2007 ]
View presentations given by Richard Alley and Robert Jackson at the Public Forum on Climate Change, 2006 GSA Annual Meeting in Philadelphia.
2006
Download The Nature of Science and the Scientific Method, a new, FREE educational resource from GSA. [ 11 Sep 2006 ]
Read this new white paper, "The Impact of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in Louisiana: America's Coasts Under Siege," a joint effort by GSA and The Pontchartrain Institute of Environmental Studies, University of New Orleans. [posted 16 Feb 2006]
2005
What Can Be Learned from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita?
GSA is a sponsor of a congressional briefing hosted by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) on 28 October 2005. The focus is how science can help reduce America's risk from hurricanes and their aftermath. [posted 28 Oct. 2005]
Kansas Denied Use of National Science Education Standards
The National Academy of Sciences and the National Science Teachers Association have refused to grant copyright permission to the Kansas State Board of Education to make use of publications by the two organizations in the state's science education standards. According to a statement from the two groups, the new Kansas standards are improved, but as currently written, they overemphasize controversy in the theory of evolution and distort the definition of science. [posted 28 Oct. 2005]
2002
Statement by Presidents of National Academies on Visa Restrictions
Current Visa Restrictions Interfere with U.S. Science and Engineering Contributions to Important National Needs
To make our nation safer, it is extremely important that our visa policy not only keep out foreigners who intend to do us harm, but also facilitate the acceptance of those who bring us considerable benefit. ... [ more ]
E-mail service to NGO and others
Invitation by J. Frank Mermoud, Special Representative, Commercial and Business Affairs,
• Includes Remarks at World Summit on Sustainable Development by Colin Powell
• Address by Richard L. Armitage on America's Challenges in a Changed World