The unified voice of Earth Science in Canada

1
www.geoscience.ca, www.earthsciencescanada.com
The unified voice of Earth Science in
Canada Elisabeth C. Kosters Managing director
2
Purpose of this presentation

1. Overview of recent accomplishments
2. Vulnerable position of CFES
3. Need for input and feedback from Academia

3
CFES constituency

• 13 member organizations

• Financial situation critical

• Membership fees plus one government grant cover
  60 of our operational costs

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

4
CFES linkages to other National and International
organizations activities

• CFES is a Member of PAGSE
• Partnership Group for Science and Engineering
• CFES is an observer at CCPG (and v.v.)
• Canadian Council of Professional Geoscientists
• CFES is the National host for
• Canadian National Committee for the International
  Year of Planet Earth (2007-2009)
• Canadian GeoParks Committee (UNESCO)
• Canadian Stratigraphy Commission

5
CFES Mission to be the unified voice of Earth
Science in Canada

• Goals
• Raise awareness of the importance of Earth
  Science in Canadians daily lives
• Enhance understanding of the role of Earth
  Science in
• environmental, natural hazard and climate studies
  
• Securing and responsibly developing Canadas
  energy, mineral and water resources
• Provide service to all Canadian Earth Scientists
• Communicate with decision makers (lobbying)

6
2 open letters to Prime Minister Harper

• September 2008

• 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

• 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

Communicating with decision makers
7
First CFES/FCST Mentorship Medal awarded to Paul
Williams (UNB), May 23, 2009
Service to all Canadian Earth Scientists
8
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
9
Canadian National Committee for GeoParks

• Currently no GeoParks in Canada or the United
  States
• Working towards North American GeoPark Network
  with US committee
• Stonehammer
• GeoPark (NB)
• proposal close
• to being submitted

Photo Noel Chenier, Times Telegraph
Raise awareness of the importance of Earth Science
10
www.planetearthlisbon2009.org
Raise awareness of the importance of Earth Science
11
Canadian IYPE Projects www.earthsciencescanada.com

http//www.youtube.com/watch?vJ4czoH1Qa4c
Raise awareness of the importance of Earth Science
12
Four Billion years and Countingwww.geoscience.ca/
fby/index.html
Part 1 Foundations Part 2 Evolution of
Canada Part 3 Wealth and Health Rocks to
Riches, Water A Clear Necessity, Environmental
Impacts, Building Canada Part 4 Canada now
Raise awareness of the importance of Earth Science
13
Responsibilities.........

• CNC-IYPE ? CFES

• CanGeoRef agreement signed!

• Where IS that picture?

14
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

15
CFES Long term strategic documentfeedback 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

16
www.geoscience.ca, www.earthsciencescanada.com
The unified voice of Earth Science in Canada
17
(No Transcript)
18
(No Transcript)
19
(No Transcript)