Earth science week 2020 theme announced: ‘Earth materials in our lives’

The American Geosciences Institute (AGI), a federation of more than 50 scientific and professional associations including SSSA, is pleased to announce that the theme of Earth Science Week 2020 will be “Earth Materials in Our Lives.” The coming year's event, to be held 11–17 Oct. 2020, will focus on the ways that earth materials impact humans—and the ways human activity impacts these materials—in the 21st century.

Earth Science Week 2020 learning resources and activities will engage young people and others in exploring the relationship between earth materials and people. The coming year's theme will promote public understanding of geoscience and stewardship of the planet, especially in terms of these raw materials.

Earth Science Week 2020 will explore a host of related questions: As scientists, engineers, inventors and others use raw materials to design innovative technologies and goods to meet human needs, how do we evaluate costs and benefits of using earth materials? How do we adopt policies and practices that allow us to take advantage of the unique properties of raw materials efficiently, generating value while minimizing negative impacts both locally and globally? How do we address the complex, interrelated issues like resource management, waste management, biodiversity, climate change, circular economies, life cycle analysis, and models of sustainability?

Earth Science Week offers opportunities to discover the Earth sciences and engage in responsible stewardship of the earth. Learn more at https://www.earthsciweek.org.