The Earth is not a fragile place, but our place on the Earth is very fragile. Geoscience offers a pathway to understand how the Earth has evolved and the role of biological life forms in that evolution. Through examination of the past and prediction of how our actions will affect the future, geoscience can lead us down a pathway to understanding the balance required to sustain and grow life on the Earth. The Earth and Humanity need strong, intellectual thinkers to resolve the problems that face us in enabling that balance. This talk will investigate the Earth of the Past, the past predictions of our demise, the Earth of the Future and the role of geoscientists in that future. We will talk about how energy sources and energy needs are changing, and the role of geoscientists in enabling a safe transition. We will talk about the clash between changing Earth surface processes; driven by changes in climate, and the changes in population growth and migration. We will talk about the geoscientist’s role in managing hazards as populations expand over the Earth’s surface and dangerous processes of flood, storm, desertification and fire engage more and more urbanized areas. Geoscience as a profession is changing and geoscientists of the next generation will work on the Earth’s highest peaks, in the deepest oceans and on far planets. It is time to start talking about our role in working WITH the Earth to build a sustainable ship for life to flourish. Geoscientists are one of the few professions who understand that change has come and gone on the Earth, and life can continue if we contribute to sustainable solutions.