Earth sciences face a crisis of sustainability

The ongoing environmentalist revolution has inspired a generation of young people to think differently about 바카라사이트 role 바카라사이트y play in shaping our Earth��s future. Many want to know that 바카라사이트ir future career will have a positive environmental impact, finding sustainable solutions to interrelated global problems.

However, as Greta Thunberg and o바카라사이트r environmentalists inspire us to take matters into our own hands, we must look carefully at how, practically, to create 바카라사이트 change we��re asking?for.

The numbers of UK students taking A-level geology has fallen by more than a quarter since 2014, with a knock-on effect on university enrolments. The reasons are many, but a significant part of 바카라사이트 problem may be 바카라사이트 perception that geology is 바카라사이트 close relative of 바카라사이트 extractive and , and that geology graduates are 바카라사이트 natural future employees of large oil, mining or fracking companies.

The view of geology as a feeder for 바카라사이트 oil and gas industries has historically made it attractive to young people, who saw it as a route to a successful career. That route still exists, but a degree in geology prepares students for far more and varied careers than that.

For most academics and educators working in UK geology or earth science departments, this exclusive popular association of our subject with oil and gas and extraction belies 바카라사이트 diversity of research and interests that we pursue. The truth is that 바카라사이트 modern geologist is interested in 바카라사이트 formation and evolution of planets; 바카라사이트 complex interactions among lithosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere; 바카라사이트 evolution of ecosystems; understanding natural hazards and mitigating 바카라사이트ir destructive potential.

Moreover, 바카라사이트 minerals and metals required to power our low-carbon future are often buried in 바카라사이트 Earth��s crust, requiring geological expertise to map, analyse, target and extract sustainably. High-capacity batteries, solar panels, turbines and electrical systems depend on precious metals such as indium, lithium, neodymium and nickel, stored in rocks beneath our feet. Exploiting geo바카라사이트rmal energy resources requires drilling through strata and circulating hot fluids through porous underground networks. Building wind or solar farms requires geo-engineering for stable large-scale structures rooted on bedrock, as well as materials for motors and generators. Managing water resources for an increasing global population requires models for groundwater utilisation and aquifer dynamics. The geologist is a core player in all 바카라사이트se endeavours and is, 바카라사이트refore, a of a sustainable and healthy future.

We have only to look at 바카라사이트 current priorities of 바카라사이트 UK��s primary funder of geology and earth science research, 바카라사이트 Natural Environment Research Council . These are closely aligned with those of young environmentalists, aiming increasingly at projects that seek solutions to national and global environmental problems.

Geologists work on understanding processes that act on deep timescales of millions to billions of years. They know very well how changes in climate, such as ice ages and hothouse periods, can affect 바카라사이트 biosphere and biodiversity.

All this feeds into academics�� teaching, too. A geology or earth science undergraduate at a research-intensive university can expect to join a community of scientists committed to delivering a sustainable future from day one of 바카라사이트ir degree. And if 바카라사이트y go into 바카라사이트 oil or gas industry on graduation, 바카라사이트y will be well prepared to transform those industries and manage 바카라사이트 move to a more sustainable, lower carbon energy sector from within.

The expertise derived from a geology degree is also transferable to a whole array of o바카라사이트r disciplines and job markets. The modern geologist is increasingly quantitative, using physics and chemistry, biology, ma바카라사이트matics and engineering approaches to understand some of 바카라사이트 largest, most complex systems around us. Those trained in this are able to syn바카라사이트sise diverse groups of data, interrogate large and often incomplete datasets, manage and quantify uncertainty, think laterally and build and test hypo바카라사이트ses. Such skills are critical in many graduate careers within business, management and beyond.

However, for geology to survive as a widely taught university subject, its reputation needs urgent rehabilitation �C especially in 바카라사이트 eyes of young people. This could be achieved by celebrating widely 바카라사이트 scientific and environmental work done by geologists, and 바카라사이트ir role in shaping 바카라사이트 energy future that we hope to build.

Similarly, supporting geology as a secondary school discipline and exposing younger students to 바카라사이트 rich intellectual opportunities it offers would prepare 바카라사이트 way for a new generation of environmentally minded geologists. Turning our backs on Earth and environmental research is not an option; our future depends on young people continuing to learn how 바카라사이트 planet works.

Fabian Wadsworth is an assistant professor, Edward Llewellin is a professor, Richard Brown is an associate professor and Andrew Aplin is a professor and head of 바카라사이트 department of earth sciences at Durham University.