Earth’s growing population requires resources for the basics of life and increasing standards of living. Energy from many sources, numerous minerals and water are critical for human existence, and are increasingly linked in the context of sustainability. For future generations, resources must be discovered and cleanly exploited, even as efforts to improve efficiency and increase recycling continue. To succeed, we must fully understand the earth, from the critical processes that concentrate resources to the environment and climate that support life. Simultaneously, we must engage broadly with people to fully understand needs and concerns, inform effective policy, and provide the knowledge to support future generations. The Resources for Future Generations 2018 conference will bring together geoscientists, engineers, members of civil society, and young people to learn, discuss and debate these issues.