2018 American Geophysical Union (AGU) Fall Meeting

Join the VALUABLES Consortium at the 2018 American Geophysical Union (AGU) Fall Meeting to learn more about our work to quantify the socioeconomic benefits of Earth observations when they are used to make decisions.

Consortium economists and staff will be onsite to

• Present the consortium’s case studies on valuing health and air quality, water quality, and wildfire applications in eLightning and poster sessions;
• Host informal conversations to answer questions from scientists who are interested in measuring how their work benefits society;
• Facilitate a hands-on, scientific workshop where participants will learn how to design an impact assessment to quantify the value of Earth science information; and
• Discuss the consortium’s impact assessment framework in oral and poster sessions.

A full list of events the consortium is organizing and participating in is available below. All events are located in the Walter E. Washington Convention Center unless noted.

Tuesday, December 11

NH23C: Extreme wildfires in 2018 II poster

1:40pm-6:00pm​, Hall A-C (Poster Hall)

PA055: Science to action: Closing gaps to enable science-based, data-driven decision making posters

1:40pm-6:00pm​, Hall A-C (Poster Hall)

Wednesday, December 12

PA33B: Quantifying the value of Earth science information by identifying how it changes societal outcomes eLightning

1:40pm-3:40pm​, eLightning Theater II

In addition to advancing scientific knowledge, the acquisition of Earth science information yields societal benefits by influencing decisions that can improve livelihoods, enhance economic productivity, and promote environmental sustainability. Quantifying the changes in societal outcomes that are driven by the availability of Earth science information can help demonstrate return on investment in primary and applied Earth science research and communicate the value of these investments in socioeconomically meaningful terms. This session illustrates how economic valuation tools can be used to quantify the societal benefits that result from the use of Earth science information in specific decision contexts. Panelists will present case studies across a number of application areas, including air quality management, disaster response, water resource management, and climate observation. Economic valuation offers Earth scientists a powerful tool to quantify the socioeconomic value of their work in terms that resonate with policymakers and the general public.

Talk to an economist about quantifying the socioeconomic benefits of your science

4:00pm-5:00pm, Poster Hall – Science Nexus Pod 4

Interested in discussing how to quantify the socioeconomic benefits of your research? Join environmental and resource economists from the VALUABLES Consortium after eLightning session PA33B for informal conversations about how to design an impact assessment to measure the societal benefits of your work.

Thursday, December 13

B44A: Centennial: Earth observation capabilities and future needs II

4:00pm-6:00pm, 143A-C

Friday, December 14

Scientific workshop: Measuring the societal value of my research: A value of information approach to quantifying the socioeconomic benefits of Earth science

8:00am-12:20am​, Independence D/E, Grand Hyatt Washington, 1000 H Street NW, Washington, DC, 20001

Attendees will learn how to set up a study that quantifies the benefits of Earth science information using a four-part economic framework based on the science of the value of information (VOI). VOI is a microeconomic tool that scientists can use to determine what impact information has when people use it to make decisions that can influence societal outcomes like health and air quality, water resource conditions, disaster response, and climate change.

Workshop registration is currently full. Email Bethany Mabee to be added to the waiting list.