GeoConnection Webinar: Geosciences: Towards a Smarter Economy

GeoConnection Webinar: Geosciences: Towards a Smarter Economy
18 August 2010: 10:00-11:00am (US EDT)  (15:00-16:00 BST)
 
Join us to listen to the following speakers discuss this recently released report published by the Geological Survey of Ireland (GSI), Geological Survey of Northern Ireland (GSNI), and the Royal Irish Academy (RIA). The report details how geoscience can be oriented toward a smart economy, and describes how the geoscience sector can contribute to economic recovery. The report also provides a clear vision of the sector in 2020 and its implications for the geosciences within Ireland. To download the report, visit: http://www.gsi.ie/Geoscience+Initiatives/Geoscience+and+a+Smarter+Economy.htm

Speakers:
Dr. Peadar McArdle, Geological Survey of Ireland
Garth Earls, Geological Survey of Northern Ireland
Prof. Pat Shannon, University College Dublin
Dr. Deirdre Lewis, Institute of Geologists of Ireland / SLR Consulting

This webinar is co-sponsored the Geological Survey of Ireland, Geological Survey of Northern Ireland, Royal Irish Academy, and the Institute of Geologists of Ireland.

Participation in this webinar is free.
To register for this webinar, visit AGI's GeoWebinar website: http://www.agiweb.org/workforce/webinars.html


Background Information:
In 2008, a report entitled "Geoscience - Gaining Ground" was published outlining the contribution made by geoscience to the Irish economy and society in terms of employment, research, spatial development etc. The report identified that core geoscience activities were estimated at €1.4 billion and non-core activities amount to €1.9 billion. Total direct value was estimated at 2.24% of GNP in 2006, but because of the relatively low import content, the significance of this activity is greater than the figure itself suggests: the geoscience contribution comes to 3% GNP when indirect value is added.

The report concluded that if Ireland was serious about moving up the value chain in alignment with its knowledge-based economy aspirations, it would have to lay down stronger foundations in the geoscience sector, particularly in areas of research and public service.

On foot of the report, the Royal Irish Academy, Geological Survey of Northern Ireland and Geological Survey of Ireland commenced work on the “Geoscience - Towards a Smarter Economy” report.