Geoethics as global ethics to face grand challenges for humanity

Abstract

Geoethics is not simply professional ethics. Originally, it was developed in the context of geosciences to increase the awareness of geoscientists to their cultural and social role, but over time expanded to define a way in which humans can rethink their relationship with the Earth system in the light of principles and values that can provide a healthy and safe life in respect for geo-ecosystems. The theoretical framework of geoethics has now consolidated, and it has become the proposal on which to base a global ethics for the new millennium. This chapter outlines the scientific and cultural reference framework in which geoethics developed; the theoretical foundations of geoethics and its main characteristics; global anthropogenic issues under a geoethical perspective; ethical and social aspects related to two potential human activities respectively to combat global warming (geoengineering); and to provide for the growing demand for georesources (deep-sea/ocean mining). The authors highlight the importance of sharing values and actions among planetary human communities to manage global changes and threats. One wonders if the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic can suggest or confirm reflections on geoethical thinking. Finally, a charter for a responsible course of human development, articulated in nine principles and actions, is proposed.

Earth Science Education as a Key Component of Education for Sustainability

“…. beyond the social commitment of geo-scientists, it is the task of all society to undertake a general mobilization aimed at choosing its future and ensuring its safety, health and sustainability" [62] (p. 4).…”

The geoscience profession's response to COVID-19 pandemic - An European Federation of Geologists' overview

“…An important factor that will facilitate this process in a positive direction is geoethically responsible management of the Earth system and this will only be possible with shifting away from both traditional practices by the industry and traditional perceptions by the society, starting with the education for sustainability that will provide the humanity with the tools we need to address the full complexity of the urgent environmental concerns (Vasconcelos and Orion, 2021). Other recent contributions to discussion on geoethics and the future development of geoscience also strongly support these challenges, both in relation to the traditional geo-professional topics and in relation to much wider sustainability challenges as a consequence of the "anthropocene" (Marone and Bohle, 2020;Peppoloni and Di Capua, 2020).…”

Introduction: geoethics goes beyond the geoscience profession

“…Most likely some may have thought that there were no "geoethical" reflections in the decades before the word "geoethics" was used for defining theoretical foundations of responsible behaviours towards the Earth system and the complex of reflections on ethical, social, and cultural implications of geosciences (Peppoloni and Di Capua, 2015b;Bobrowsky et al, 2018). In addition, as Peppoloni and Di Capua (2020) point out, the reflections by Zen (1993) and Moores (1997) also continue to be a point of reference for the geoscientific community, a strong reminder to reflect carefully on the ethical meaning of geoscience profession and on benefits that geosciences can bring to society. The book by Wyss and Peppoloni (2015) remains a pillar in the development of geoethics, for the richness of its contents concerning philosophical reflections, ethics of practice, anthropogenic and natural hazards, utilization of resources, low income and indigenous communities, as related to the geoscience community.…”