Geology and environmental change: a New Brunswick perspective

Abstract

Studies of earth cycles are used in a variety of ways, from mineral exploration to recording and explaining past, and projecting future climate change. Geology helps us find the commodities we need to accommodate our lifestyles, to assess natural hazards, find drinking water and safe places to dispose of our waste. As mankind will search for a way to achieve a globally sustainable society, the limits of this planet will have to be acknowledged. Geology is one of the disciplines that can help us understand our planet and establish those limits. Further research in the earth sciences is required to clarify our present knowledge of the environment, quantify many processes, and define limits of prediction for future change. L'etude de la rythmicitd terrestre est mise k contribution de diverses manieres allant de l'exploration miniere k T elucidation des changements climatiques anciens ainsi qu'k la prospective climatologique. La geologie nous aide a trouver les matieres premieres indispensables aux besoins qu'engendre notre style de vie, a ^valuer les risques naturels, a trouver de l 'eau potable, et a identifier des sites sdcuritaires pour le stockage des d6chets. La mise en oeuvre par l 'hum aniti de moyens visant a r£aliser une soci£t£ au maintien durable k l 'dchelle du globe devra s'accompagner d 'une prise de conscience des limites d 'emploi de notre planete. La gdologie est l'une des disciplines pouvant contribuer a affiner notre connaissance de la Terre et a center au plus prks ces limites. Un effort additionnel de recherche en sciences de la terre s'impose afin d 'approfondir notre connaissance de l 'environnement, de quantifier plusieurs processus et d 'etablir les limites gouvemant notre capacity de predire les changements a venir.[Traduit par le journal] I ntroductionExploration, extraction and management of natural re sources is directly related to geology. Our environment is the result of interactions between the geological, hydrological, and biological cycles. The different time scales on which these cycles operate, and the different turn over rates of their reservoirs and sinks, affect the temperature, atmospheric composition, and the overall habitability of this planet for Homo sapiens and other lifeforms. Long-term geological cycles operate beyond the human time scale. Medium-term cycles are relatively easy to adapt to and anticipate, but it is the short-term changes that really affect us and that we in turn can influence. Man has become a geological force! Any changes that have occurred since mankind has inhabited the earth have taken place gradually enough, until recently, for us to adapt to.Man's philosophical/religious assumption that his place is outside and above nature, and the actions that are the result of this, are beginning to have their effect. The indiscriminant use of natural resources and the production of synthetic materials is heavily burdening our ecological system.Many of the products and conveniences of our consumer society are directly or indirectly related to mineral resources...