Reimagining geology – sustainable Earth stewardship

“Sustainable development is the development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” - Gro Harlem Brundtland

In recent years, geology has suffered what can only be described as an identity crisis.

For too long geology has been viewed as a science that is built on the shaky foundation of exploitation of Earth’s resources. In an ever climate conscious world, this identity is now eroding the science with a steep decline in those choosing to study the subject from school education right through to further studies and careers.

However, the future of the geology need not hold on to this. There is a real chance to change and own a new purpose, a new future for our science. When I think about the main sciences, they all have this galvanizing factor, a mission statement, something that brings the community together. The natural sciences have united behind biodiversity and climate change, chemistry have pioneered forward with health and medication and for physics – it’s about exploring the final frontier of space.

But what is that rallying cry for geology? What’s our purpose?

Now in no way will I write here and claim to have the perfect answer, but it’s become increasingly clear to many in our science around perusing a direction of sustainable Earth stewardship grounded in social justice is a purpose that could unite us.

Stewardship is a powerful word and when you combine it with a social justice angle, perhaps that is exactly the type of radical purpose we need as a geoscience community need to embrace and authentically live. If geology were to explore this purpose, it would mean transitioning away from the more historical narrative of resource exploitation, to something that embodies the responsibility of protecting, planning, and managing Earth’s resources in a sustainable manor. Sustainable stewardship for me falls into two parts: resilience and rebalance.  

Firstly, on resilience. As we make our way through these next few decades, our planet is going to go through substantial changes. Some of this change may be contained if we manage to reduce our carbon emissions but even if we manage to keep below the 1.5 - degree target, our perfect planet will go off-balance somewhat.

Weather events are going to become more severe and more frequent; sea levels will rise and there are going to be extended periods of drought. We need to future proof our existence on this planet. Whether through pushing the limits of smart geo-engineering, protecting terra firma, scaling up erosion management, mapping geo-hazards or modelling climate scenarios; geologists have the opportunity to be at the forefront in shaping and leading this resilience ambition.

The second part is rebalancing. We live in an unbalanced world and we need rebalance now more than ever before. Rebalancing will of course come at a cost and in a world prioritising sustainability, the world’s richer nations will need to shoulder the bulk of these adjustments.

If geology is to live and breathe the purpose of sustainable Earth stewardship, we will also need to be prepared to shift our skillsets towards lifting developing nations to close the gap and leapfrog to a sustainable path. Fortunately, many of these skillsets are tried and tested methods that geoscientist have ready in the toolbox: subsurface understanding, risk qualification, field development, data management and integration, the challenge is now how to rapidly transition these skills from more traditional projects into renewables, CCS, and environmental management applications, at scale.

Ultimately, I am hopeful about the future of geology. Of course, I have my uncertainties and even doubts; but I choose to give them no more space than necessary because fundamentally, I believe that enough of us care deeply about our science to not let these come to pass.

After all there is no one that knows the Earth quite like geologists. We know her history, her present pains and can predict her likely future. But with that knowledge should come a great responsibility. A responsibility to care for and protect our Earth’s resources in a sustainable way. That attitude must be at the heart of geology and at the heart of every geologist.

Of course, the responsibility to care for the planet’s resources doesn’t rest on the shoulders of geologists alone, and as societies become more aware of our planet, our collective human understanding of Earth’s ancient process is increasing.

An increasing sense of wonder, of awe, a sense of perception at how rare and unique this planet is, is starting to weave its way into daily routines, into conversation and into our life choices. This is a good thing, a very good thing, because it means at long last and perhaps just in the nick of time, humanity is starting to realise that we are part of nature and that, if we choose so, we can become a better part of nature.