Exploring Geoscience Careers

EARTH SCIENCE SUMMER EXPERIENCE AT SJSU

Multiple Terms

• Geology, Geoscience(s), and Earth science
• These terms are often used interchangeably
• Geoscience and Earth science imply a broader scope

than geology

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The geosciences help us thrive in a changing world by:

• Informing climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies that support continued economic and societal well-being
• Ensuring sufficient supplies of clean water for a growing population
• Developing sustainable energy to power the nation
• Building resiliency to natural hazards to reduce human and economic harm
• Managing healthy soils to meet the food security needs of humanity
• Providing raw mineral resources for modern society
• Expanding opportunities and mitigating threats in the ocean and coasts
• Managing waste for a healthy society
• Enabling these activities by increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion and meeting future geoscience workforce and education needs

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https://www.americangeosciences.org/policy/critical-needs/2020

Sustainability - The most common definition

The World Commission on Environment and Development (the Brundtland Commission) in its report Our Common Future (1987):

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

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Intergenerational equity

Dimensions of sustainability

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/319059726_Human_Carrying_Capacity_Stage_1_Working_Definition_for_Kapiti_Coast_District_Council/figures?lo=1

UN-AGENDA 2030 – SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS

• A set of 17 goals for the world’s future, through 2030
• Backed up by a set of 169 detailed Targets
• Negotiated over a three- year period at the United Nations
• Agreed to by nearly all the world’s nations, on 25 Sept 2015

United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

Blueprint for a better future for both people and planet by the year 2030

VIDEO: The Sustainable Development Goals: Improve Life Around the Globe (2:47)

World leaders came together in 2015 and made a historic promise to secure the rights and well-being of everyone on a healthy, thriving planet” (United Nations)

Problem-solving with geoscience

• Problem #1: Reducing risk from earthquakes

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• What are some subject areas within the geosciences that can help to find solutions to this problem?

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• Here’s a list of possibilities
• https://www.geolsoc.org.uk/Geology-Career-Pathways/What-is-Geology/Subject-Areas.html#Environmental

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Problem-solving with geoscience

• Problem #2:
• Finding critical minerals and reducing the environmental impact of mining them.

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• What are some subject areas within geoscience that can help to find solutions to this problems?

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• Here’s a list of possibilities
• https://www.geolsoc.org.uk/Geology-Career-Pathways/What-is-Geology/Subject-Areas.html#Environmental

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Activity

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• Is there one or more geoscience career that matches your interests, skills, and values?

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