The unified voice of Earth Science in Canada

Elisabeth C. KostersManaging director

www.geoscience.ca, www.earthsciencescanada.com

Purpose of this presentation

1. Overview of recent accomplishments

2. Vulnerable position of CFES

3. Need for input and feedback from Academia

CFES constituency13 member organizations

• PDAC• CIM• GAC• MAC• CSPG• CSEG• CWLS• CanQua• CAG• CNC-IAH• CGS• CPTG• CCCESD(CGEN)

Financial situation critical• Membership fees plus

one government grant cover 60% of our operational costs

CFES linkages to other National and International organizations &

activities1. CFES is a Member of PAGSE:

– Partnership Group for Science and Engineering

2. CFES is an observer at CCPG (and v.v.)– Canadian Council of Professional Geoscientists

3. CFES is the National host for1. Canadian National Committee for the

International Year of Planet Earth (2007-2009)

2. Canadian GeoParks Committee (UNESCO)

3. Canadian Stratigraphy Commission

CFES Mission: to be the unified voice of Earth Science in Canada

Goals:1. Raise awareness of the importance of Earth

Science in Canadians’ daily lives2. Enhance understanding of the role of Earth

Science in:– environmental, natural hazard and climate studies – Securing and responsibly developing Canada’s

energy, mineral and water resources

3. Provide service to all Canadian Earth Scientists4. Communicate with decision makers (lobbying)

2 open letters to Prime Minister HarperSeptember 2008• Congratulate the PM on

the $100m financing of the GEM program

• warn him that these funds are insufficient for the necessary task

• warn him that the job may not be finished eventually to due impending labour shortage

February 2009 (Hill Times) • Express serious concerns

about the funding cuts for the three granting agencies

• warn of the consequences of not training young researchers when we face future HQP labour shortages

• Warn that these cuts may encourage a brain drain to the US after the election of president Barack Obama

Communicating with decision makers

First CFES/FCST Mentorship Medal awarded to Paul Williams (UNB), May 23, 2009

Service to all Canadian Earth Scientists

Canadian National Committee for GeoParks

• The Global Network of National Geoparks ,assisted by UNESCO, provides a platform of cooperation between experts and practitioners in geological heritage.

“Under the umbrella of UNESCO, and through exchange between the global network partners, important national geological sites gain worldwide recognition and profit through the exchange of knowledge, and staff with other Geoparks”

• 64 National Geoparks in 19 Member States worldwide

Raise awareness of the importance of Earth Science

Canadian National Committee for GeoParks

• Currently no GeoParks in Canada or the United States

• Working towards North American GeoPark Network with US committee

• StonehammerGeoPark (NB) proposal close to being submitted

Photo Noel Chenier, Times Telegraph

Raise awareness of the importance of Earth Science

www.planetearthlisbon2009.org

Raise awareness of the importance of Earth Science

Canadian IYPE Projectswww.earthsciencescanada.co

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Raise awareness of the importance of Earth Science

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4czoH1Qa4c

Four Billion years and Countingwww.geoscience.ca/fby/index.html

Part 1 – Foundations

Part 2 – Evolution of Canada

Part 3 – Wealth and HealthRocks to Riches, Water: A Clear Necessity, Environmental Impacts, Building Canada

Part 4 – Canada now

Raise awareness of the importance of Earth Science

Responsibilities.........

CNC-IYPE CFESCanGeoRef agreement signed!

Where IS that picture?

CFES Long term strategic document

• The premise:• Society (Canada) faces many critical issues, some of which

are constrained by Earth • Society (Canada) cannot address these issues without

contributions from earth scientists• Necessary to develop a Canadian perspective on these

issues

HOW ARE WE GOING ABOUT DEVELOPING THIS PERSPECTIVE?• First iteration: spring ‘09• Feedback at workshop at CFES Montreal spring ‘09• Feedback from ESAAP members summer ‘09• Feedback from member societies fall ‘09

CFES Long term strategic document

feedback from member societies:• Earth Science Literacy – CGEN (our outreach and

education network)• Climate change – (position statement / CMOS / .....?)• Mineral Resources – the mining sector (PDAC)• Energy - the petroleum sector (CSPG, CSEG, CWLS)

– Uranium - CIM• The North• Hazards – CAG, CanQua, CGS• Water – CNC-IAH (CCA)

• Research and Human Resources - CCCESD

The unified voice of Earth Science in Canada

www.geoscience.ca, www.earthsciencescanada.com