Delivering our science to the intended user: Wrap-up of session IEI-01 on general contributions to geoscience information

Geoscience information increasingly is an essential service that we all require to address issues related to ensuring health by addressing toxic substances and waste disposal, securing our heritage by asserting sovereignty and providing an understanding of land, oceans, life, and the planet as a whole, enhancing our wealth with a supply of energy and materials, as well as guidance for engineering, augmenting security by helping society prepare for and cope with climate change and hazards such as earthquakes and floods, and by making broad contributions regarding water supply and protection. The IGC geoscience information sessions in Oslo have been designed to outline progress in this crucial field in a systematic manner. Topics include data capture and acquisition, information management, information dissemination and delivery, information technology and systems, as well as 3 and 4D modeling and visualization. It will be clear that as interoperability progresses, not only are we as geoscientists able to work more efficiently and effectively, we also are empowering a broader community to use geoscience information appropriately. There thus has been rapid progress since digital methods were extensively implemented in the 1990s, as the web era is now maturing, offering benefits for us all.