Innovation March-April 2023

natural hazards and natural-hazard risks and working in the world of land use and land-use development and climate change and risk management." Clarke said, "Climate change is pushing demand. Governments—local, regional, provincial, as well as First Nations—are looking for guidance and looking for help to better manage and build safe, resilient communities." A REAL SCIENCE Waldie, at Geoscientists Canada, jokingly mentioned The Big Bang Theory's Sheldon as an influencer against the legitimacy of the geological sciences, but, in seriousness, the idea of geology as not a real science permeates high schools everywhere. Earth sciences are seen as the easy electives rather than a choice for a serious scientist. It's a factor when encouraging young students to go into the geosciences when it's not seen as a legitimate or professional field. "There's still a perception of geoscientists as prospectors going out with raggedy hats," said Waldie. That image could use an update. "They don't understand how much technology is used now," Waldie said. "They can work in the field, they can work in lab, they can work in an office, they can do consulting, they can work with drones." CHANGING DEMOGRAPHICS The field of geoscience also faces the same demographic factors that are hitting other professions around the world. With the swell of retirees heading out of the workforce, the

3000

2782

2662

2652 2611

2604

2444

2500

2381

2356

2227

2042

2000

1801

1679

1561

1480

1500

1285

1181

1045

1000

500

0 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021

Source: Geoscientists Canada

While the number of GITs in Canada has grown steadily since 2005, the numbers dropped off over the past few years.

challenge is to fill those spots. Another issue is that younger

geoscientists are the ones who usually do the bulk of the field work; as geoscientists go through their career arc, many will put field work behind them and move into an office or management environment.

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