214: The Untapped Potential of the Earth's Hidden Commons w/ Iain Stewart

"I think that selling this idea that if you become a geoscientist in the 21st century, the frontier is not up there in the sky, but is down there underneath your feet." In this thought-provoking episode, expert geoscience communicator Iain Stewart opens our eyes to the "hidden commons" of the subsurface. Iain challenges us to rethink our relationship with the subsurface, drawing parallels between the allure of space exploration and the untapped mysteries of our planet's depths. He shares the greatest value of geoscientists and why studying geology is important. Listeners will be captivated by Iain's vision of the subsurface as a new frontier, not just for resource exploitation but as a space for sustainable development and urban innovation. From the governance of the subsurface to the emotional appeal it holds, Iain articulates the need to build empathy and understanding for this hidden realm. The conversation also tackles the geoscientist's dual role as Earth steward and resource extractor, emphasizing the importance of conveying geoscience's relevance to the public and decision-makers. Iain's expertise in geoscience communication shines as he outlines how geoscientists can contribute to pivotal issues like climate change and the energy transition. This episode will inspire and help give geoscientists a new language to talk about the importance of their work to the world. 📋 EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS * 1:35 - Introduction to the Royal Scientific Society and the role of the research chair * 4:20 - The concept of the "hidden commons" and ownership of the subsurface * 8:57 - The emotional and intellectual appeal of the subsurface * 11:45 - Geoscientists as Earth stewards and the dilemma of resource exploitation * 15:30 - The geologist's unique perspective in the climate change conversation * 18:42 - Engaging the public's imagination with the wonders of the subsurface * 23:10 - The potential of the subsurface in urban development and sustainability * 27:00 - Iain's vision for geoscience's role in improving the human condition ✍️ EPISODE LINKS * Geoscience in Action - https://geoscienceinaction.org/ * The Apollo 8 Earthrise image - https://www.nasa.gov/image-article/apollo-8-earthrise/ * Geoscience Futures - Iain's podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/10JjEkbcJeVxYsxRqfSMsz?si=f25194a0464b4ea0 * Interview transcript - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FfQ4or33amQvDBLs541MpISls0A59YdT/view?usp=sharing 💬GUEST BIO Iain Stewart is the El Hassan bin Talal Research Chair in Sustainability at the Royal Scientific Society (Amman, Jordan), a Visiting Professor in Environmental Studies at Ashoka University, India, and a Professor of Geoscience Communication at the University of Plymouth. At Plymouth, he was the founding director of its Sustainable Earth Institute, with research interests in disaster risk reduction and Earth science communication. His geo-communication work has been built on a 15-year partnership with BBC Science, presenting television documentaries about planet Earth. Currently, he leads the UNESCO IGCP project 685 Geoscience and Sustainable Development and holds the UNESCO Chair for Geoscience and Society. SHOW CREDITS Seismic Soundoff showcases conversations with geoscientists addressing the challenges of energy, water, and climate. SEG creates these episodes to celebrate and inspire the geophysicists of today and tomorrow. If you have episode ideas or feedback for the show or want to sponsor a future episode, email the show at podcast@seg.org. This episode was hosted, edited, and produced by Andrew Geary at TreasureMint. The SEG podcast team is composed of Jennifer Cobb, Kathy Gamble, and Ally McGinnis.