The Policy Forum piece in the latest issue of Science suggests the creation of an Earth Systems Science Agency (ESSA) to be formed by the merger of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The proposal is made by former agency administrators.
“Earth system science focuses on understanding current processes and predicting changes that will take place over the next hundred years,” said Charles Kennel, former Associate Administrator of NASA and Director of Mission to Planet Earth. “It merges earth, atmospheric, and ocean science into a panorama of the earth system as it is today and as it will be tomorrow. We need it to predict climate change and its impacts, and to help us mitigate and adapt to other changes that have the potential to affect our quality of life and economic well-being.”
“Population pressure, development impact, and resource extraction affect land and sea alike. Just as the science of the Earth is seamless, so should the government responsibility be merged for these separate Earth agencies,” added co-author D. James Baker, a former NOAA administrator.
It’s exciting to hear this kind of thinking from former agency administrators. I really like the idea of this proposal for a more streamlined agency with a stronger focus on the planet. Think of some of the multidisciplinary scientific collaborations that could take place.
One of the more heartening quotes from the piece is by former director Charles Groat.
“The USGS, in bringing not only its geologic, biologic, hydrologic and geospatial expertise to the understanding of natural systems, but also its research capabilities in energy, mineral, water, and biologic resources, gives the new organization a comprehensive perspective on both environmental and resource systems,” added former USGS director Charles Groat. “If we effectively link these capabilities with those of NOAA, we will have a powerful research institution.”
I was alerted to this story by coverage in Monga Bay.
