Resourcing Future Generations

an IUGS initiative

Roland OBERHÄNSLIInternational Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS)

International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS)

• Impartial international scientific union addressing global issues that contribute to the advancement of geological research and inform, provide advice and influence decision makers throughout the world

• With 120 national members, the IUGS promotes development of the Earth sciences through

• Geological conventions and standards and promote their worldwide

acceptance• Involvement in developing interdisciplinary solutions to global problems• Collaboration between more developed and less developed countries in

earth science research, capacity building and applications• Contribute to earth science education and the visibility and public

understanding of the earth sciences and their profound influence• Career development of young earth scientists

IUGS’ Role & Mission

• IUGS is a member of ICSU and represents all geological scientists at the highest international level since 1961

• IUGS supports broad-based scientific studies relevant to the entire earth-system and applying the results of these and other studies to preserving Earth’s natural environment, using all natural resources wisely, and improving the prosperity of nations and the quality of human life by:• Fundamental research and applied aspects of the Earth sciences of an

international and interdisciplinary nature• Through its Commissions, Task Groups and Initiatives• Works with its Affiliated Organizations on topics of mutual interest

MINERALS & SOCIETY

~ 99.5 % of human development !!

It appears inevitable that the demand will continue to rise for most commodities • Global population continues to burgeon• Populous BRIC economies continue their rapid development • Africa strives to develop its cities and deliver services

It is a priority to find and develop natural resources for future generations

Greater efficiency of use, recycling and substitution will all be vital, but insufficient

MINERALS & SOCIETY

Mining will continue to be an essential activity to meet the needs of future generations.While this is not easily accepted by all, it cannot be ignored in deliberations of the future.

Any goals or visions for the future that simply ignore mining, or assume it will phase out, will be seriously compromised

Responsible production of natural resources needs to be accepted as part of integrated regional/national development plans and as a pathway to global Sustainable Development.It offers major opportunities for development of countries with good mineral and energy endowments.

MINERALS & SOCIETY

Exploration expenditure at highest levels ever, but low discovery rate

Falling rate of discovery of large mineral deposits over the past quarter of a century, despite high levels of exploration expenditure

Satisfying future needs for mineral resourcesis a challenging goal to ensure a supply of natural resources for global society for the next century

While meeting the environmental and social imperatives for sustainable development researchers, academics, government agencies and industry globally will need to play roles

In general, available technologies and good practices can minimise lasting impacts from resource production

Major reasons for bad economic and social outcomes are corruption, conflicts of interest, ineffective regulation, incompetence and lack of regional planning

MINERALS & SOCIETY

MAJOR CHALLENGES

• Continuing to mine lower grade and lower quality deposits is unlikely to be the answer– Higher energy and water use– Larger areas of disturbance

• Decreasing land area accessible for exploration and production – More land is tied up for housing, feeding and servicing people and

sustaining natural systems– Regions where wastes and pollution are difficult to control are unlikely to

be mined in the future• Changing widespread negative perceptions of mining and demonstrating how

it can be conducted with sustainable benefits

• Global economic and social development relies upon the discovery and extraction of mineral, energy and water resources.

• How can demand for these resources accommodate continued population growth, and the right of people to improve standards of living?

• How do we secure resources for future generations in ways economically, environmentally and socially responsible?

RATIONALE FOR RESOURCING FUTURE GENERATIONS

IUGS - RFG can provide an independent, non-government, international framework

Well-placed to play an international honest-broker role circumventing potential concerns about roles of some individual countries/organisations

Four Themes seem important with respect to Resourcing Future Generations

i. Comprehensive evaluation and quantification of 21st century supply and demand

ii. Research programmes in enhanced understanding of subsurface as it relates to resources

iii. Research focussed on evaluation of where additional natural resources are likely to be found

iv. Building capacity in developing nations for responsible stewardship of natural Earth Resources

The geoscientific data, skills and infrastructure required for locating mineral and energy have wider public-good applications• Water resources = vitally important• Environmental protection/rehabilitation • Building cities and infrastructure• Understanding soils and landforms• Mitigating hazards and risks• Mapping biodiversity domains• Engage in geogovernance• …………………

Geogovernance - education/trainingEarth in Transition: Preparing for the Unpredictable

GeoGovernance is an initiative of the University of Potsdam's focus research areas of Earth Sciences and Politics, Administration and Management

http://geogovernance.de

Thank you

4 year old Rike managed to put & hold the Earth together