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Problem-Solving Geology
UN Commission Declares Geology "Most Important"
Requirement to Solving Environmental Problems
California occupies a unique place in the world within the Pacific Rim’s “Ring of Fire.” The ground beneath our feet – and the geologists and geophysicists who probe its strengths, weaknesses, hazards and resources – play a vital role in our communities, environment, infrastructure and economy.
But we are not alone.
Beyond leading-edge California, others in the global community facing similar technical challenges have observed the ubiquitous intersection of geology with individual and societal health, safety and well-being. Concerned citizens and government leaders across the Pacific have likewise realized that “…geological links to problem-solving are useful in the study of virtually every aspect of urbanization...."1
The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) not only recognizes that local and regional environmental problems have significant geological input, but has concluded that, in most cases, geology “…is the most important requirement to solving the problem….”
UNESCAP attributes the remarkable success of geo-scientists in solving even the most “perplexing issues” of human health, safety and the environment to their ability as professionals “…to think in terms of long time intervals, to visualize changes in the environment that are a result of natural or anthropogenic processes and to put all of this into a three-dimensional and time perspective. No other professional scientist or engineer has been trained to do that….”
Even at the geomorphic-province-scale, the geologic map of the State of California indicates that lives, liberty, property, safety, happiness and privacy2 of more than 37 million citizens are well-served by world-class, professional geologists and geophysicists who apply their unique problem-solving expertise in a competent, ethical and responsible manner.
Through its licensing, regulatory and disciplinary functions, today’s forward-looking independent Board for Geologists and Geophysicists works to provide a pool of qualified licensees – accountable to the consumers they serve – to meet California’s environmental challenges in the 21st Century and beyond.
Rick Rempel
Executive Officer
2California Constitution, Article 1, Section 1: "All people are by nature free and independent and have inalienable rights. Among these are enjoying and defending life and liberty, acquiring, possessing, and protecting property, and pursuing and obtaining safety, happiness, and privacy." (http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/.const/.article_1)
