Michael J. McPhaden

The Floodgates of Change

It has been a great honor to serve as president and, for 2 years before that, as president-elect of AGU. I was drawn to AGU more than 30 years ago as a graduate student because it was an exciting and supportive organization of scientists working together to solve big problems to make the world a better place. My first AGU Fall Meeting left an indelible impression, reinforced every year since: a weeklong celebration of science—sharing, learning, and discovering—amid a sea of exuberant participants from around the globe. In AGU I found a community that nurtured my professional development and provided me with exceptional opportunities for career advancement. So when I was asked to run for president, it was an easy decision. I welcomed the chance to give back to the organization that had contributed so much to my growth as a scientist.

Influencing the future of AGU

Steve Jobs, visionary cofounder of Apple, Inc., once said, “Everyone here has the sense that right now is one of those moments when we are influencing the future.” This statement aptly describes AGU at this time as the Board of Directors and the Council continue to influence the future in exciting ways by advancing our strategic plan (http://www.agu.org/about/mission.shtml). Both governing bodies held meetings in San Francisco immediately preceding the 2011 AGU Fall Meeting. The agendas for both meetings, along with the key outcomes, are posted on AGUs Web site (http://www.agu.org/about/governance/).

Highlights of Fall Meeting 2011

Every December for the past 44 years, something special has happened in the world of Earth and space science: AGUs Fall Meeting. This special pullout section ofEos offers highlights of the 2011 Fall Meeting in a format structured to echo AGUs Strategic Plan. Scientific Leadership and Collaboration were at an all-time high: For the first time in Fall Meeting history, attendance passed the 20,000 mark—20,890 to be exact. Attendees hailed from 96 countries; 30% were students.

President's message: We must remain committed to scientific integrity

During the third week of February our global community of Earth and space scientists witnessed the shocking fall from grace of an accomplished AGU member who betrayed the principles of scientific integrity. In doing so he compromised AGUs credibility as a scientific society, weakened the publics trust in scientists, and produced fresh fuel for the unproductive and seemingly endless ideological firestorm surrounding the reality of the Earths changing climate. Peter Gleick resigned as chair of AGUs Task Force on Scientific Ethics on 16 February, prior to admitting in a blog post that he obtained documents from the Heartland Institute under false pretenses. His transgression cannot be condoned, regardless of his motives. It is a tragedy that requires us to stop and reflect on what we value as scientists and how we want to be perceived by the public. Here are a few things that come immediately to mind:

Fall Meeting: Showcasing our members' achievements and building community

Amazing! Inspiring! Incomparable! These are words that describe AGUs Fall Meeting—the largest gathering of Earth and space scientists in the world. Every December for 45 years, scientists from around the globe have converged on the Fall Meeting in San Francisco, Calif. Excitement and enthusiasm pervade this unique annual event, where our members present their latest research and communicate its relevance to the great challenges that face society. Fall Meeting attendees can also survey the evolving panorama of geophysical research and hear firsthand about the latest pioneering advances in our understanding of the Earth and planetary system. Its an extraordinary opportunity to share, to learn, to network, and to renew old friendships; and its one of the most important ways that we as a scholarly society advance our mission of promoting “discovery in Earth and space science for the benefit of humanity.”

AGU governance's decision‐making process advances strategic plan

A lot has happened in a little more than 2 years, and we want give AGU members an update on how things are working under AGUs strategic plan and governance model. AGU is an organization committed to its strategic plan (http://www.agu.org/about/strategic_plan.shtml), and if you have not read the plan lately, we encourage you to do so. AGUs vision is to be an organization that “galvanizes a community of Earth and space scientists that collaboratively advances and communicates science and its power to ensure a sustainable future.” We are excited about the progress we have made under this plan and the future course we have set for the Union. Everything the Board of Directors, Council, and committees put on their agendas is intended to advance AGUs strategic goals and objectives. Together with headquarters staff, these bodies are working in an integrated, effective manner to carry out this plan. The best way to demonstrate the progress made and each groups role is to walk through a recent example: the creation of a new Union-level award (see Figure 1).