This talk explores the evolving and essential role of geoscientists in addressing the grand challenges of our time and contributing meaningfully to a more sustainable future. As the world grapples with balancing the need for natural resources for a growing population and a changing climate, geoscientists are uniquely positioned to offer solutions grounded in the knowledge of Earth’s systems through time.

Drawing on the UNESCO/AGU publication Geoscience in Action: Advancing Sustainable Development, the presentation will highlight tangible examples of how geoscientists are contributing to the achievement of the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These case studies span multiple disciplines and geographies, showcasing the real-world impact, economic, environmental and societal value of geoscience projects.

In addition, this talk will reflect on how the discipline itself must evolve to remain relevant and impactful. This includes embracing multi- and transdisciplinary approaches, fostering collaboration across sectors, and advancing convergent geoscience research that integrates social, economic, and political dimensions.

A key theme in this evolution is the need for geoscientists to engage more proactively with stakeholders. Effective stakeholder mapping and engagement is becoming an increasingly important duty of the geoscientist both in maximizing the impact of project results and also in maintaining the relevance of the discipline itself as we witness the closure of geoscience academic departments around the world. Central to this is the vital skill of geoscience communication; how we can communicate our science more effectively to develop stronger partnerships with stakeholders for successful project outcomes.