When we meet at AAPG conferences like the Annual Convention and Exhibition, the International Conference and Exhibition and region and section meetings, AAPG is fulfilling its mission and at its best: technical content with a business focus bringing together a diverse audience of attendees from academia, government and industry.
The theme of this year’s ICE in South Africa Nov. 4-7 captured the state of the petroleum industry: “Shaping the future in a changing energy landscape.” Our industry is working together on sustainable petroleum development as part of sustainable energy development.
At AAPG’s recent Energy Transitions Forum in Amsterdam, Ashild Larsen, the chief information officer for Equinor, captured where we are as an industry: “The game to transform the energy industry is on – and the opportunity is at the intersection of people and technology,” she said.
This is an exciting time to be a geoscientist, an exciting time to be a petroleum geoscientist and a significant time to be a part of AAPG.
‘Because We Must’
The demand for energy is increasing in every corner of the world, so the creativity and skills that we bring to explore and develop energy resources have never been more important – not just for our profession, but for the quality of life of the global population and our planet.
The South African philosophy of “Ubuntu” captures this sentiment. It translates to, “I am because we are.” As AAPG members, it might also be stated, “Because we can. Because we must.”
Our role as AAPG members in this journey is crucial, and something to be respected and valued. Respected, because when we attend conferences and share in learning, you are telling the world, “I’m a professional geoscientist, a proud petroleum geoscientist, and part of a group that is working on sustainable energy development.” You should value conference experiences because we are exploring a new understanding of our roles as geoscientists.
This is a critical moment in our Association’s history and AAPG is changing to meet the needs of the changing energy landscape. Through our divisions – Energy Minerals Division, Division of Environmental Geosciences and the Division of Professional Affairs – we are embracing diversity and expanding our interactions with professionals in all technical and business areas of energy solutions.
The petroleum industry and AAPG are moving in directions that make us partners with a diverse global society. We are purposely operating in ways that balance economic growth, environmental protection and social progress that helps us meet both the energy needs and cultural expectations of the world.
This is sustainable development. A concept that has become widely adopted and now defines the way global leadership, financial institutions and the public view energy solutions. AAPG is embracing this view, and its membership and customers can and should be part of that exploration.
I encourage you to take advantage of AAPG’s conferences to explore the science, the technology and cultural diversity that are part of our global energy solutions.
Our creativity as geoscientists and the innovation and excellence of the petroleum industry are what underlie sustainable development. It is how we
will meet the energy needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
(This column is based on the speech given at the ICE 2018 opening ceremony. Vern Stefanic’s ability to capture the AAPG presidential message of sustainable development that was the basis the speech is gratefully acknowledged.)
What Sustains You This Month?
This month I am sustained by the richness of AAPG’s technical diversity and multicultural membership. An African proverb might capture the value of bringing our diverse association together at annual conferences:
“When you want to go quickly go alone. When you want to go far, go together.” I encourage each of you to attend an AAPG section and region meeting you have not attended in the past. Share your technical knowledge, discover new technology, grow your network and add your experience to global sustainable energy solutions. Together we will go far. #AAPGSustainsMe
Onward!