Natural Resources Canada’s Earth Sciences Sector (ESS) is Canada’s principal Earth science agency and a world-renowned organization. The expertise of ESS is at the service of Canadians to access, understand, and use Earth science information to deal with economic, environmental, and social changes.
Geoscience is the study of the Earth’s surface and sub-surface, to understand the Earth’s landmass, including the offshore. Geomatics is the science and technology of geographic or map information, including information acquired from space. Sustainable development is a very information-intensive process—in order to make sound policy and development decisions, it is essential to have comprehensive and accurate information. Much of this information comes from the work done in the Earth sciences.
While all of the sector’s work relates to sustainable development, two key themes embody SD at their core:
A clean environment
Groundwater – It is crucial that Canadians have access to a lasting, abundant supply of clean water. ESS is mapping the major Canadian groundwater aquifers, and will be undertaking research on aquifer dynamics to help ensure clean and sustainable groundwater resources for Canadians. This work will lead to the development of a Canadian inventory of groundwater resources to help municipalities make sound decisions about water use and waste management.
Reducing Canada’s vulnerability to climate change – As the climate changes, Canadians need to know what will happen, and what can we do about it. The work of ESS will help to determine what areas of Canada are most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, helping Canadians to better adapt to the changing climate. Geoscience data are used in estimating the cost of climate change and to inform debate about new Kyoto targets.
Metals in the environment (MITE) – The MITE program studies metals in the environment and the related processes that control the entry of these metals into water and food chains. The aim is to determine if metals in the environment pose a risk to the well-being of Canadians.
Mineral and energy resource assessments (MERA) – The MERA program works to ensure that natural resource development does not harm the environment, and that appropriate land-use decisions are made. The positive outcomes of MERA assessments are informed land-use decisions and environmentally sound development.
Sustainable development of natural resources
Geoscience for sustainable development – ESS strives to improve the geoscience information for key areas with sustainable development relevance. This work supports and encourages informed sustainable development decision making. One of the aims is to ensure that Canada will continue to attract investment in the increasingly competitive global exploration and development market.
Geoscience for oceans management – It is important for Canada to protecting and managing our oceans properly. The Geoscience for Oceans Management program will deliver sea floor mapping capacity in the offshore to provide a knowledge base suitable for making decisions. Sound ocean-management decisions must balance the competing needs of renewable and non-renewable resources with conservation.
Sustainable development through knowledge integration – Innovative approaches, such as geospatial models, can help Canadians to make better decisions. This program will develop a knowledge system and tools to integrate ESS information for enhanced decision-making on sustainable development issues.
Geomatics for sustainable development of natural resources – Geospatial information can play an important role in support of the sustainable development of natural resources. This program will provide consistent, reliable, high quality, accurate geomatics information, including well-defined property rights, to ensure that Canadians have the capacity to make efficient and effective decisions on sustainable development issues at the national or community level.
SD Links:
To learn more about Earth sciences and sustainable development, explore the ESS site, or go directly to the site of the ESS organizations listed below:
International Links:
Earth Sciences International Projects:
The Earth provides all of the resources used for human consumption, and the Earth receives virtually all of the waste produced. A sound understanding of “what’s beneath our feet” provides the foundation of sustainable development. Virtually all economic, social and environmental decisions require sound Earth sciences knowledge and information.
Earth sciences enhance understanding of the Earth’s landmass, including the areas under the oceans. Accurate geospatial information is an important requirement for many decisions made and actions taken by both the public and private sectors in all parts of the globe. NRCan’s Earth Sciences Sector is actively involved in several projects under way in developing countries.
Earth sciences can contribute to sound decision-making across a broad spectrum of activities, as illustrated by these projects:
