Should scientists actively approach policymakers in order to guide their decision-making processes, or is it the policymakers’ responsibility to seek scientific advice? In the first of the Great Debates at this year’s European Geosciences Union General Assembly in Vienna a mixed panel of policymakers and geoscientists tried to answer who should be responsible for making sure that science was used ...[Read More]
Geology is boring, right? What?! NO! Why scientists should communicate geoscience
From the highest reaches of the atmosphere to the deepest caverns below, the geosciences is a fascinating field dedicated to understanding just how the Earth (and other worlds) tick. But to many people, the Earth, planetary and space sciences are far from interesting or important. So how can geoscientists share their enthusiasm with the public? Catherine Pennington, an engineering geologist and sc ...[Read More]
GeoPolicy: Horizon Geoscience!
For the last few months the EGU has been working towards both hosting a dinner debate in Brussels, Belgium, and publishing the Horizon 2020 Geoscience Survey Report which was based on a survey conducted within the geoscience community earlier this year. Both of these endeavours were undertaken together with the European Federation of Geologists (EFG) and had similar aims: to enhance collaboration ...[Read More]
Geopolicy: How does scientific uncertainty translate into policy?
Scientific uncertainty is one of the only things in science that is certain. It’s found in complex modelling systems, in the unpredictability of natural processes and even when there seems to be scientific consensus, a new scientific discovery can recreate ambiguity. But how do policymakers deal with scientific uncertainty when they are making decisions? Policymakers deal with and use scientific u ...[Read More]