The geologist and public policy issues, opportunities and obligations

Conference · Mon Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1993 · Geological Society of America, Abstracts with Programs; (United States)

OSTI ID:6163534

Schmidt, W ^[1]

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1. Florida Geological Survey, Tallahassee, FL (United States)

Historically, geologists have been perceived by the public as solely involved in resource exploration and production or geologic hazards mitigation. This generally included mining, oil drilling, landslide or earthquake (after the fact) comments, and rock or mineral collecting. These operations have come to be associated with land exploitation involving extraction of non-renewable resources, and often, in consequence, pollution. These generic activities may not currently be considered environmentally sound or politically correct. Because of the high visibility of environmental issues in recent years, geologists now have an opportunity to offer necessary input contributing to solutions for many of these problems. Indeed, geologists must be thought of as part of the solution, and thus alter public perception that geologists are facilitators of environmental damage. After all, who may better protect and conserve the earth and its environments than people trained in the Earth Sciences Governmental and industry or consulting geologists are now involved in a wide range of interpretative geologic decisions regarding a cross-section of activities aimed at development and conservation of lands and natural resources. These can be grouped in generalized categories including: waste disposal issues, water resources issues, land-use planning and zoning issues, and resource conservation or regulation requirements.

• OSTI ID: 6163534
• Report Number(s): CONF-9304188--
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Geological Society of America, Abstracts with Programs; (United States) Journal Volume: 25:4
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290300* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Environment
Health
& Safety
290400 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Energy Resources
ANIMALS
GEOLOGY
INFORMATION NEEDS
LAND RESOURCES
LAND USE
MAMMALS
MAN
MANAGEMENT
PERSONNEL
PRIMATES
PROFESSIONAL PERSONNEL
PUBLIC OPINION
RESOURCE CONSERVATION
RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
RESOURCES
SCIENTIFIC PERSONNEL
SITE CHARACTERIZATION
VERTEBRATES
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WATER RESOURCES