AAPG’s Position on Climate Change?

“The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry,” wrote the poet Robert Burns. That is particularly true when it comes to my own prior plan for this President’s Column to be about volunteerism.

This past July, the EXPLORER published a brief commentary by Lee Gerhard called “Going Quietly into the Night?” That commentary struck a note with several AAPG members … but not in a good way.

Keep in mind that the EXPLORER is not a peer-reviewed journal. It is a news magazine designed to elicit thought, speculation and inquisitiveness from the membership. It is not the job of the editor to fact-check an opinion piece.

After the article, several letters to the editor were printed in response to objections by some members. Their requests were honored and printed. But that wasn’t enough to satisfy everyone.

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“The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry,” wrote the poet Robert Burns. That is particularly true when it comes to my own prior plan for this President’s Column to be about volunteerism.

This past July, the EXPLORER published a brief commentary by Lee Gerhard called “Going Quietly into the Night?” That commentary struck a note with several AAPG members … but not in a good way.

Keep in mind that the EXPLORER is not a peer-reviewed journal. It is a news magazine designed to elicit thought, speculation and inquisitiveness from the membership. It is not the job of the editor to fact-check an opinion piece.

After the article, several letters to the editor were printed in response to objections by some members. Their requests were honored and printed. But that wasn’t enough to satisfy everyone.

Who Speaks for All Members?

My personal experience with AAPG members is that there are as many opinions on climate change (or “global warming, or whatever you want to call it) as there are AAPG members. We are all scientists, and in science there is very little “absolute truth.” Many in this argument use the same statistical information to support opposing conclusions. It is all about interpretation.

However, the group of members who were offended, and stayed offended, even after the rebuttal comments were printed insisted that the “Leadership” of AAPG align with their thinking or they would drop their memberships.

First and foremost, I can’t force anyone to align their thoughts about climate change, much less the “Leadership” of AAPG (is that the Executive Committee? The Advisory Council and EC? The AC, EC and House of Delegates? What about the divisions’ leadership?). This incredible organization’s leaders are entitled to their personal opinions on the subject. They should not have to be held hostage by any group of members within the organization! That is not the scientific way.

This is why AAPG does not have an overall climate change policy statement. We could not possibly make everyone happy with anything put into the public domain regarding climate change and would be foolish to try to do so.

Our Common Ground

I think the best response to this controversy is to print a well-written statement, penned by past AAPG Editor, Dr. Robert Merrill (with his permission!):

“The American Association of Petroleum Geology has a long history as a proactive organization focused on advancing the science of geology, especially as it relates to petroleum, natural gas, other subsurface fluids, and mineral resources. AAPG continues to promote and encourage its members to employ their surface and subsurface geologic skills and knowledge to exploring for, finding, and producing these materials in an efficient, economic and environmentally sustainable manner while minimizing their impact on the world’s climate. AAPG believes in the principles of conservation, efficiency and sustainability regarding the use of all energy resources. In support of these objectives the Energy Mineral Division was created in 1977 as an international forum for energy sources other than conventional oil and gas and the Division of Environmental Geosciences in 1992 to promote environmental stewardship within the industry and to support and encourage research into the effects of petroleum\energy minerals exploration and production on the environment.

“Our members share the concerns of the public, non-governmental organizations, and governments about environmental issues, including climate change and energy sustainability. As Earth scientists our members have a unique perspective and understanding of climate change throughout the geological history of Earth and how climate has varied over time. The current world population of 7.8 billion people puts an enormous strain on the Earth’s resources that require, in addition to hydrocarbon resources, the economic development of alternative and renewable energy sources. The AAPG encourages its members, through their own research, to continue to develop their own understanding of climate science and policies which are outside the core competencies of the organization and work on improving the human condition while reducing energy’s environmental impacts.

“The AAPG accepts the immense challenges of the energy transition and will continue to support the important role that AAPG scientists play in improving the human condition, while minimizing environmental impacts of all forms of energy.

  • We understand the growing need for energy and petrochemical feed stocks throughout the world, and the fact that renewable energy and emerging technologies will not meet these needs over the next several decades.
  • We accept the immense challenges of meeting the current and near-term energy demands as well as future energy needs and will continue to support the role AAPG members play in delivering responsible and sustainable energy to the world.
  • We look to enhance the future by supporting AAPG members as they apply their surface and subsurface geological skills and their talents in areas such as carbon capture, utilization and storage, geothermal energy development, and critical minerals extraction, and to use creativity and innovation in the responsible and sustainable development of hydrocarbons, with the goal of reducing humanity’s carbon footprint.”

I don’t believe it could be better stated.

Next month – back on schedule for a discussion on Volunteerism.

Best,
Deborah

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