The current issue of Nature has a special supplement called Year of planet Earth. Here is a summary from the editorial introduction:

“These informal, sometimes opinionated, pieces look back at recent developments in the Earth sciences and consider where future advances might lie… This project aims to capture people’s imagination with the knowledge accumulated by Earth scientists and to ensure that this information is used to benefit society.”

Moreover, from the final editorial called Earth science and society, the highlighted block quote at the top of the article reads:

“The unique set of challenges that face humankind today mean that it is more essential than ever that Earth scientists apply their understanding of the planet to benefit society and that society invite them to do so.”

Of the 13 core articles, there is really only one ‘environmental’ topic discussed: climate change. While it is arguably the most important societal issue facing humankind today, is it the only issue that Earth scientists can apply their knowledge to benefit society? I would argue that this is certainly not the case.

But a resounding 8 of the 13 articles in this issue discuss climate change (the others are less-applied topics). Are Earth scientists not responsible for investigating other important societal issues? For example, access to clean freshwater will undoubtedly be one of the biggest issues facing future generations, if not today, but was only fleetingly mentioned in this issue.

Additionally, energy alone could constitute an entire Earth science-themed issue. As much as some hate to admit it, we are still very much a high-consumption society and that will not change any time in the near future. Our energy will need to come from somewhere, and figuring that out is at least partly on the shoulders of Earth scientists. Examples include:

• Alternative energies based on Earth resources (geothermal, nuclear, methane hydrates)
• Refining existing energy sources (secondary petroleum extraction, exploration for more oil/gas reserves, increased use of coal)
• Disposal of the byproducts of our energy needs (carbon sequestration, nuclear waste disposal)

I do not mean to disparage the importance of climate change research, nor the efforts put forth by the organizers of this supplement, but the timing is right for other important issues to be included in the forefront of Earth science. Climate change is clearly important, but should it trump all other issues?

Other links:
Nature Reports Climate Change