AIPG Position Statements

AIPG Climate Change Position Statement

Last revision - December 15, 2020
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AIPG recognizes that changes in climate are occurring and placing great demand on society to prepare for and mitigate the resulting consequences.  As an organization of diverse geoscience disciplines, AIPG chooses to serve domestic and international communities with a fact-based objectivity in addressing and reducing the impacts of climate change. AIPG encourages research into the causes of, and monitoring and mitigation of, the effects of climate change. AIPG expects application of the best geoscience in order to uphold the health and safety of all societies, a vigorous economy, and the availability of natural resources that support the ever-growing populations in developed and undeveloped countries. AIPG recognizes that complexities and uncertainties must be navigated carefully to understand the types of changes occurring on our planet. AIPG recognizes that climate change and a growing world population magnifies the need for the knowledge and experience of geoscientists and encourages economic development that considers the long-term welfare of future generations.

AIPG Position on Domestic Mineral Resources

Last revision - April 8, 2021
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AIPG encourages the U.S. federal and state governments to support the environmentally responsible development of domestic mineral resources. The U.S. is a major consumer of metals, construction-related raw materials, fertilizers, industrial chemicals, critical metals and other mined materials which are essential to modern society and our quality of life. Existing state and federal laws protect the environment during exploration, development, and closure of mining operations and prohibit development of mineral resources on environmentally sensitive land. Adherence to environmental, safety and reclamation regulations in the U.S. allows us to responsibly develop mineral resources. As the global population increases and people worldwide strive for higher standards of living, demand for mineral resources will increase. Technological advances relating to all aspects of mineral resource development can contribute to the U.S. becoming the world leader in the environmentally responsible development of mineral resources at home and abroad. Geologists contribute to all aspects of the exploration for and production of mineral resources.  Geoscience specialists are instrumental in the protection of groundwater and air-quality, reclamation, permitting and long-term environmental monitoring during mining and after mine closure.

AIPG Position on Access to Public Lands

Last revision - April 8, 2021
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AIPG supports access to public lands, both onshore and offshore, for the environmentally responsible development of energy and mineral resources. The vast extent of public lands, managed by federal and state agencies, contains discovered and undiscovered resources that are vital to maintaining and improving the U.S. standard of living and economic security. Existing federal and state laws define the multi-use activities allowed on public lands and existing federal and state environmental regulations assure protection of natural resources including water, air, biological, and cultural. Adherence to existing regulations assures responsible exploration for and development of domestic energy and mineral resources with little or no long-term environmental impact. Lack of access to the extensive public lands restricts development of domestic energy and mineral resources and can encourage imports of energy, mineral and critical resources metals, which can then have adverse effects on the U.S. economy and national security. The U.S. should be an example of the responsible use of its public lands and avoid exporting environmental impacts related to development of these resources. As a major consumer of energy and mineral resources, the U.S. should be a world leader in environmentally responsible development of its own resources on public lands.

AIPG's other position statements are currently being reviewed.