Resourcing future generations: a proposed new IUGS initiative

The International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS) was formed in 1961 as the umbrella organisation to represent the geosciences globally. It is a non-political, non-governmental and a not-for-profit organization with 120 member countries, which: 1. Promotes development of the geosciences through the support of international, broad-based, and interdisciplinary scientific studies relevant to the entire System Earth; 2. Applies the results of these and other studies to preserving Earth’s natural environment, using all natural resources wisely and improving the prosperity of nations and the quality of human life; 3. Strengthens public awareness of geology and advances geological education in the widest sense; 4. Develops and promulgates geoscience standards, including for information management and chronostratigraphy; and 5. Through its membership of the International Council for Science (ICSU), has good links to a wide range of scientific and technical expertise.