Earth Day 2026 carries a theme that resonates deeply with me: “Our Power, Our Plane”. It’s a call to recognize that environmental progress has always been built by people and communities that demanded better, researchers who charted paths forward, and information professionals who made that knowledge accessible to all. At GeoScienceWorld (GSW), that is exactly the work we are in.
My passion for geoscience information comes from three interconnected places.
First, as a geoscientist, I understand how critical it is to organize and make accessible the research that drives discovery. The right information at the right time can be the difference between a breakthrough and a dead end. In the context of Earth Day, it can be the difference between a community with the power to adapt and one without it.
Second, as a citizen who loves science, I believe that science literacy is essential for building healthy, thriving, sustainable, and resilient communities, whether local, regional, or global. When people have access to quality geoscience information, they are better equipped to make informed decisions about everything from natural hazard preparedness to climate adaptation to resource management. That is power in its most practical form.
Third, I’m incredibly fortunate to serve as CEO of GeoScienceWorld, a nonprofit whose mission reflects these values directly. Since our founding in 2004, GSW has worked to aggregate and disseminate research that advances our understanding of the earth sciences. We provide access to more than 55 journals, 2,400 books, and 4.6 million GeoRef records to over 2.6 million researchers, students, professionals, and curious members of the public each year. We have returned more than $75 million to our society partners, helping them remain independent and focused on the scientific communities they serve.
What excites me most about this work, and what Earth Day brings into sharp relief, is that geoscience information connects an entire ecosystem of people working toward the same goal: ensuring that knowledge about our planet is accessible, discoverable, and impactful. Librarians, publishers, data managers, researchers, and students all have a role to play. The challenges ahead are significant, but I am confident we can meet them together.
