About this title - The Changing Role of Geological Surveys

Senior managers and Heads of Geological Survey Organizations (GSOs) fromaround the world have contributed a collection of papers to provide abenchmark on how GSOs are responding to national and international needs ina rapidly changing world. GSOs continue to provide key scientificinformation about Earth systems, natural hazards and climate change. Ascountries adopt sustainable development principles and the publicincreasingly turns to social media to find information about resource andenvironmental issues, the generation and communication of Earth scienceknowledge become increasingly important. This volume provides a snapshot ofhow GSOs are adapting their activities to this changing world. The differentnational perspectives presented converge around several common themesrelated to resources, environment and big data. Climate change and the UN'sSustainable Development Goals provide an increased incentive for GSOs of theworld to work in harmony, to generate knowledge of Earth systems and toprovide solutions for sustainable management of the planet.