English: #shareEGU20: GDB2 Managing our mineral resources for a sustainable future: The role of scientists

The UN widely promotes the Sustainable Development Goals, 17 common goals to a sustainable future for our planet and its citizens. By 2030 Europe aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 40% (compared with 1990). The accelerating exploitation of our ecosystems has been highlighted annually by Earth Overshoot Days. The urgent need to combat climate change requires that we significantly increase use of clean energies and energy storage and decrease our non-energy emissions. But the infrastructure needed for the transition to a low-carbon society will require the production and consumption of vast amounts of mineral products, not only the much publicised critical metals but also more common mineral products like copper, iron and sand.The circular economy has been lauded as a solution to the increased demand on resources and related climate impacts.

Reducing waste and improving efficiencies are essential. However, given (i) increasing populations and improving living standards globally, (ii) the decades-long duration that many raw materials are in use, (iii) the difficulties and/or environmental impact of recovering and recycling some materials, and (iv) the strain on our energy, land and water resources, it is time to define the role of the geoscience community in managing Earth resources and achieving a more sustainable future.This online Great Debate provides expertise on the wider public conversations about our natural resources: Is it reasonable the public think the circular economy can be applied to all items we consume? Where will substitutions come from?

Chair: Dr Aoife Braiden, Geological Survey Ireland

Speakers: - Karen Hanghøj: Director of British Geological Survey - Saleem Ali: University of Delaware - Andy Whitmore: Co-chair, London Mining Network - Patrick Redmond: Kobold Metals

Website: https://www.egu.eu

Email: communications@egu.eu