The Kentucky Geological Survey (KGS) at the University of Kentucky hosted its first-ever seminar focusing on the intersection between geoscience research and climate change on May 12. The 61st Annual KGS Seminar highlighted how interdisciplinary research is vital to shaping Kentucky’s future when it comes to climate change.

“Climate change is here, and the impacts reach far beyond geology. It’s an economic, human health, and policy issue. Our job at KGS is to provide unbiased data and information to help mitigate potential impacts to Kentucky and support science-based decision making,” said State Geologist and KGS Director Bill Haneberg, Ph.D.

KGS experts presented on climate-related research topics relevant to Kentucky including geologic hazards, remote sensing for environmental mapping, methane emissions from orphaned oil and gas wells, carbon storage, and critical minerals.

The day also included poster sessions highlighting KGS research, and presentations from Morehead State University Assistant Professor David Long, Ph.D., and UK College of Agriculture, Food and Environment Associate Professor Wei Ren, Ph.D.

UK College of Arts and Sciences Assistant Professor Lauren Cagle, Ph.D., gave an update on the Kentucky Climate Consortium, a statewide, interdisciplinary research and teaching collaboration for academics. Cagle focused on the need for narratives of climate change that resonate with Kentuckians.

“Here, we don’t have polar bears or beachfront property, but as today’s talks have shown, climate change touches on every part of academia and research in the state,” Cagle said.

Haneberg also presented the 2022 KGS Director’s Awards to a group of KGS scientists involved in the Radon on the RADAR research project — an NIEHS-funded citizen science project through the UK College of Nursing that involved 16 weeks of time-sensitive fieldwork to measure soil radon levels at more than 60 homes in four rural Kentucky counties.

Sarah Arpin, Jason Backus, Andrea Conner, Matt Crawford, Sydney Gutierrez-Gomez, Emily Morris, Steve Webb and Nolan Whitt received the annual award, which recognizes KGS employees who go above and beyond.

The radon data collected by the KGS team will inform public health efforts to decrease radon exposure, which is the second leading cause of lung cancer and significantly increases the likelihood of lung cancer in those exposed to tobacco smoke.