Geoethical Issues and Geoethical Dilemmas

A video released by the European Project GOAL

Silvia Peppoloni, research geologist at the Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Secretary General of the IAPG - International Association for Promoting Geoethics, introduces the audience to the concepts of geoethical issues and dilemmas.

The video is part of the Intellectual Outputs (IO1) of the European Erasmus+ project GOAL "Geoethics Outcomes and Awareness Learning" (https://goal-erasmus.eu/). IAPG is official partner of the project GOAL.

Here the link to the video: https://youtu.be/gZ8Y56-yrDM

Other videos on geoethics in the IAPG YouTube Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/user/iapgeoethics/

IAPG - International Association for Promoting Geoethics:

http://www.geoethics.org

School on Geoethics and Natural Issues
(Schola de Geoethica et Naturae Quaestionibus)

We are proud to announce the launch of a new important initiative on geoethics.

On 20 July 2019, Peter T. Bobrowsky, Giuseppe Di Capua, and Silvia Peppoloni have founded the School on Geoethics and Natural Issues (Schola de Geoethica et Naturae Quaestionibus), in short the "Schola".

Dr. PhD Silvia Peppoloni is the Director of the "Schola".

Below some details:

Rationale 

The "Schola" is a place for teaching and learning of the principles and values of geoethics in the light of the philosophy and history of Earth sciences. The intent is to provide background knowledge and the evaluation skills necessary to understand the complex relationship between human action on ecosystems and the decisions geoscientists make in the discipline that impact society, including improving the awareness of professionals, students, decision-makers, media operators, and the public on an accountable and ecologically sustainable development. 
The "Schola" provides the opportunity to deepen reflection on the sense and social utility of geosciences, analyzing their rational categories, values, possible perspectives, uncertainties and cognitive limits, in order to understand how their modes of action can conform to a specific vision of reality and how that vision can in turn modify the interface of human action with natural reality. But the "Schola" is also a place to learn and develop more responsible strategies, operating procedures and practical actions, that are compatible with respect for socio-ecological systems, the vocation of the territories, including the health and safety of human communities.
​
Aim
The "Schola" aims to provide excellent education in geoethics, thus promoting the development of a scientific and critical attitude to the knowledge of the Earth and its constituent systems, by fostering a growth of awareness and responsibility towards the planet, education in the values and actions underlying a respect for ecosystems, including responsible use of resources, management of natural risks, reduction of pollution and its repercussions on human health and climate, adaptation to environmental changes, in view of an accountable and ecologically sustainable development.
​
Description
The "Schola" conforms to the Geoethical Promise and the Cape Town Statement on Geoethics adopted as programmatic and constitutive documents to promote a cultural renewal aimed at favoring ecological humanism.
The "Schola" is a scientific, international, multicultural and multidisciplinary meeting place for research and training on geoethics and the philosophy of Earth sciences.
The "Schola" guarantees quality training, in a continuous and constant process of scientific and professional improvement and updating.
In the pursuit of its objectives, the "Schola" relies on experts from different disciplinary fields, using all the traditional didactic tools to which are added innovative methods that favor the formation of geoethical thinking and stimulate an analytical and critical attitude to understanding of socio-ecological complexity.
​
To whom it is addressed
The "Schola" is aimed at all those who want to improve their scientific knowledge on the Earth system and to understand the social role geosciences can play in identifying new ways of relating to the planet and the living forms that it hosts. The courses are addressed to different categories of users: they can be useful to both secondary school students and university undergraduate/graduate students in disciplines that deal with the environment from different perspectives (planning, naturalist, geo-biological, landscape, architectural, legislative, educational, cultural and relative to communication). Scholars of the phenomena and processes of the planet (researchers, academics, scientists), as well as those who physically operate in the territories (various types of professionals, geologists, engineers, landscape architects, risk experts, media operators, decision-makers) can find valid support to their scientific and professional preparation in the courses. Finally, the "Schola" is also aimed at the general public and others, including non-experts, who are interested in better understanding the bond that links human communities to ecosystems, within the perspective of responsible development.

Website of the "Schola": http://www.geoethics.org/geoethics-school

_____________________________________________
IAPG - International Association for Promoting Geoethics 

http://www.geoethics.org

a new paper just published (free access):

Dimension stone industry should meet the fundamental values of geoethics

(by Nicola Careddu, Giuseppe Di Capua, and Giampaolo Siotto)

Abstract
The term “Dimension Stone” refers to natural stone that has been quarried, selected and processed into specific sizes or shapes, with or without one or more mechanically dressed or finished surfaces, for use as building facing, curbing, paving stone, monuments and memorials, and various industrial products. The dimension stone industry is currently increasing the volume of its activities: based on a prudent medium-term development forecast, the net product could reach one hundred million tons in 2020. For this reason, geoscientists and stakeholders need to reason about methods and technologies in the dimension stone sector and how to operate responsibly and sustainably in accordance with the following geoethical values. After a definition of geoethics and an overview of the dimension stone industry, the paper focuses on fundamental values of geoethics as stated in the Cape Town Statement on Geoethics. More precisely, geoethical values have been referred to real and practical cases of dimension stone subsectors, by presenting some examples recorded in Sardinia (Italy). This region has a long history of production of ornamental stones. Finally, tips and suggestions on how geoscientists (in particular geologists and mining engineers) can help the dimension stone sector in a geoethical way, i.e., responsibly and sustainably are herein offered.

Keywords

Geoethics; Dimension stone; Quarrying; Natural resources; Sustainability;

Geoheritage; Geo-education

How to cite
Careddu N., Di Capua G., Siotto G. (2019). Dimension stone industry should meet the fundamental values of geoethics. Resources Policy, 63, 101468; doi: 10.1016/j.resourpol.2019.101468.

Download this paper
https://authors.elsevier.com/c/1ZZFk14YFwvktR


Publications on geoethics
http://www.geoethics.org/publications

_____________________________________________
IAPG - International Association for Promoting Geoethics 

http://www.geoethics.org

The issue #2 - 2019 
of the IAPG Newsletter is out!

The issue #2 - 2019 of the Newsletter of the IAPG - International Association for Promoting Geoethics has been released on 6 August 2019.

Summary:

• Geoethics at the 36th IGC (Call for Abstracts)
• International Congress “Geoethics & Groundwater Management” (Call for Abstracts)
• VIDEO: Geoethics and responsible use of geo-resources
• VIDEO: Geoethical issues in prediction and prevention of potentially catastrophic natural events
• Geoethics Medal 2019: Linda Gundersen awarded in the 2019 edition
• SpringerBriefs in Geoethics: A new IAPG editorial initiative
• New coordinators of IAPG national sections
• IAPG and IAG signed a MoU in Vienna
• IAPG and BDG signed a MoA
• BOOK: Exploring Geoethics
• BOOK: Tailings Dam Management for the Twenty-First Century
• International Geoethics Day 2019
• Donations

Download the IAPG Newsletter #2 - 2019 at: 

http://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/5195a5_a4c3e12bc7734547a0ccd0f1eb72c38f.pdf


Kindly, share this post and/or forward the IAPG Newsletter #2 - 2019 to your colleagues. Thank you!

IAPG Newsletter archive: 
http://www.geoethics.org/newsletter

IAPG - International Association for Promoting Geoethics: 
http://www.geoethics.org

SpringerBriefs in Geoethics

IAPG is launching a new important editorial project on geoethics.

SpringerBriefs in Geoethics envisions a series of short publications that aim to discuss ethical, social, and cultural implications of geosciences knowledge, education, research, practice and communication. 

The intention is to present concise summaries of cutting-edge theoretical aspects, research, practical applications, case-studies across a wide spectrum.

SpringerBriefs in Geoethics are seen as complementing monographs and journal articles, or developing innovative perspectives with compact volumes of 50 to 125 pages, covering a wide range of contents comprising:

• philosophy of geosciences and history of geosciences thinking;
• research integrity and professionalism in geosciences;
• working climate issues and related aspects; geoethics in georisks and disaster risk reduction;
• responsible georesources management;
• ethical and social aspects in geoeducation and geosciences communication;
• geoethics applied to different geoscience fields including economic geology, paleontology, forensic geology and medical geology;
• ethical and societal relevance of geoheritage and geodiversity;
• sociological aspects in geosciences and geosciences-society-policy interface;
• geosciences for sustainable and responsible development;
• geoethical implications in global and local changes of socio-ecological systems;
• ethics in geoengineering;
• ethical issues in climate change and ocean science studies;
• ethical implications in geosciences data life cycle and big data;
• ethical and social matters in the international geoscience cooperation.

Typical topics might include:

• Presentations of core concepts.
• Timely reports on state-of-the art.
• A bridge between new research results, as published in journal  articles, and a contextual literature review.
• Innovative and original perspectives.
• A snapshot of a hot or emerging topic.
• In-depth case studies or examples.

Both solicited and unsolicited volumes are considered for publication in the SpringerBriefs in Geoethics. Potential authors are warmly invited to complete and submit the Briefs Author Proposal form. All projects will be submitted to the editor-in-chief for the consideration of the editorial review by the editorial board.

SpringerBriefs are characterized by expedited production schedules with the aim for publication 8 to 12 weeks after acceptance and fast, global electronic dissemination through the online platform SpringerLink.
The standard concise author(s) contracts guarantee that:

1. an individual ISBN is assigned to each volume;
2. each volume is copyrighted in the name of the authors;
3. authors and IAPG retains the right to post the pre-publication version on their respective websites.

Editorial Board

The SpringerBriefs in Geoethics is initiated and supervised by Silvia Peppoloni (editor-in-chief) and an editorial board formed by Nic Bilham, Peter T. Bobrowsky, Vincent S. Cronin, Giuseppe Di Capua, Rika Preiser, Artur Agostinho de Abreu e Sá, Iain Stewart.

The SpringerBriefs in Geoethics is sponsored by IAPG – International Association for Promoting Geoethics.

The SpringerBriefs in Geoethics page in the IAPG website:
http://www.geoethics.org/springerbriefs-geoethics

______________________________________________

IAPG - International Association for Promoting Geoethics: 

http://www.geoethics.org

IAPG symposium on geoethics at the 36th IGC:

Geoethics: Ethical, Social and 
Cultural Aspects in Geosciences

The 36th IGC - International Geological Congress will be held in Delhi (India) from 2 to 8 March 2020.

IAPG is organizing the Symposium 1.7,  entitled "Geoethics: Ethical, Social and Cultural Aspects in Geosciences" and chaired by Silvia Peppoloni (silvia.peppoloni@ingv.it) (Italy), Nic Bilham (UK), Peter T. Bobrowsky (Canada), Martin Bohle (Belgium), Vincent S. Cronin (USA), Giuseppe Di Capua (Italy), within the Theme 1 "Geoscience for Society".

Description of the Symposium 1.7 by IAPG:

All branches of geosciences have ethical, social and cultural implications. Geoethics aims to provide a common framework for these concerns, and to discuss on the appropriate behaviors and practices, wherever human activities interact with the Earth system.

The spectrum of topics this symposium aims to deal with includes:

i) ethical and social problems related to management of land, coasts and open oceans,
ii) socio-environmentally sustainable supplies of energy and geo-resources, 
iii) pollution and its impact, 
iv) resilience of society related to natural-anthropogenic hazards, and risk mitigation strategies, 
v) geoscience communication and education, 
vi) culture and value of geodiversity, geoheritage, geoparks, 
vii) role of geosciences in socio-economic development regardless of countries' wealth while respecting cultures, traditions and local development paths, and in promoting peace, sustainable development and intercultural exchange. 

Acknowledging the role of Geoscientists at the service of society, this symposium, proposed by IAPG - International Association for Promoting Geoethics (http://www.geoethics.org), aims to develop ethical and social discussion on following topics, including case-studies: 

a) Geoethics in natural-anthropogenic risk management, 
b) Ethical aspects of geoscience education and communication,
c) Geoethics for responsible use of geo-resources, 
d) Research integrity and professional deontology in geosciences, 
e) Geoethics in addressing global societal challenges.

The abstract submission is open (deadline: 31 August 2019):
http://www.36igc.org/abstract-submission

Registration to the 36th IGC (super early bird registration by 31 July 2019):
https://in.eregnow.com/ticketing/register/default/36IGC?ccy=USD

_____________________________________________
IAPG for the 36th IGC 2020:
http://www.geoethics.org/36thigc

IAPG - International Association for Promoting Geoethics: 

http://www.geoethics.org

Seminario

"Geoetica e Cultura Geologica"

a cura di

Silvia Peppoloni

Università di Roma Tre

Largo San Leonardo Murialdo 1

Aula E

24 maggio 2019

10:00 - 12:00

Silvia Peppoloni

Silvia Peppoloni (Secretary General della IAPG - International Association for Promoting Geoethics e Coordinatore della Sezione di Geoetica e Cultura Geologica della Società Geologica Italiana) terrà un seminario su "Geoetica e Cultura Geologica" all'Università di Roma Tre.

L'evento si svolge nell'ambito dei seminari "La Geologia nel mondo del lavoro" di orientamento per gli studenti del 3° anno della laurea triennale in Scienze Geologiche dell'Università di Rome Tre, organizzati in collaborazione con l'Ordine dei Geologi del Lazio.

Al seminario possono partecipare anche gli iscritti alle esercitazioni per l'Esame di Stato e i professionisti già iscritti all'Albo dei Geologi del Lazio. Per qesti ultimi si prevede un'attribuzione di 2 crediti APC.

Visita il sito dell'Università di Roma Tre, Corso di Laurea in Scienze Geologiche:
https://www.scienze.uniroma3.it/news/posts/2006


IAPG - International Association for Promoting Geoethics:
http://www.geoethics.org 

Destina il tuo 5 per mille 2019 alla IAPG

Sostieni la IAPG: destina il tuo 5 per mille (2018) all’Associazione Internazionale per la Promozione della Geoetica Onlus. 

Per destinare il tuo 5 per mille basta scrivere il codice fiscale dell’Associazione 97731120586 nello spazio già presente sulla tua dichiarazione dei redditi 2019.

Visita il sito: http://www.geoethics.org 

La IAPG è impegnata in prima linea a sensibilizzare comunità scientifica e cittadini sul valore etico della ricerca e dell'attività geologica. 

Rischi naturali, cambiamenti climatici, sfruttamento delle risorse, sostenibilità e altri temi di urgente attenzione sono al centro delle iniziative e attività dell'Associazione.

Il tuo sostegno è indispensabile per promuovere una nuova visione etica del nostro rapporto con la Terra.

Condividi questo appello. Grazie per il tuo sostegno!

Per ulteriori informazioni, contattaci inviando una email a: 
iapgeoethics@aol.com

"...our future on this planet needs an assumption of responsibility by all..."

(an interview to Silvia Peppoloni by AGU)

AGU - American Geophysical Union interviewed Silvia Peppoloni (IAPG Secretary General) for Earth Day celebrated on 22 April 2019 and AGU's Centennial.

The interview has been published in the section "Paths through Science" of the AGU website and "StoryCorps Archive".

The full audio interview is available at:
https://archive.storycorps.org/interviews/our-future-on-this-planet-needs-an-assumption-of-responsibility-by-all/

Here below, you can read the interview: 

AGU: Tell me your earliest memory of being interested in science

Silvia: In general, since I was a child, I had a fairly rational approach to things, driven by a great curiosity to understand how the world worked, an attitude that pushed me to ask myself the causes that were behind the phenomena.

I can tell you a funny memory that dates back to when I was about six years old. I was playing with the water that flowed from the tap and I just couldn’t understand where the water came from and where it ended up once it entered the drain hole. At the same time, I was perfectly aware that I did not have the ability to understand at that moment, but I was sure that over the years I would have acquired that competence. So, I thought of taking some water from the tap and closing it tightly in a glass bottle. Then I put a label on it where I wrote day, month and year. And finally, I swore solemnly not to open that little bottle until I was capable of analyzing its content and maybe to understand its origin.  The funny thing is that I still have that bottle, I never opened it and even today, when I recall that episode, I can’t help but laugh at me. But definitely, I recognize in that little girl something that still characterizes me, that is a great curiosity, the tendency of posing myself in front of a phenomenon in a way that can be defined “scientific”, to get to the truth of things.

AGU: Explain the steps you took to have a career path in academia or research? Please include your education

Silvia: At the beginning of my studies, when I was a teenager, I was fascinated by humanities: philosophy, art, the classical ancient world, and the beauty of the Italian language were my main interests. Moreover, from the age of eight, I devoted myself to the study of the piano. Thus, I opted for the secondary school, which in Italy is called “classical high school”, centered on disciplines such as Latin, Greek, history, art and philosophy …. But at the same time, I could not escape from the great amazement (and even fear) that natural phenomena, such as earthquakes, volcanoes, floods, aroused in me. So, at the end of secondary school, when the time came to choose a course of study at the university. I chose to study Earth sciences. Although disciplines such as mathematics, physics, and chemistry were definitely penalized in the humanities school, it was very easily for me to recover my gaps with respect to the students coming from the scientific school. Indeed, sometimes, when I had to solve a mathematical equation, it seemed to me that my brain used the same logical strategies that it used to translate a Greek or Latin text.

Today, years later, I recognize that a humanities background represents an additional resource for anyone, even for those who want to dedicate their lives to scientific studies. My experience at the university was very positive: professors were capable of transferring to me the love for the study of natural dynamics and processes of the Earth, the wonder for the evolution of life, but also the rigor of the scientific method and the importance of developing rigorous technical tools to investigate and understand how the planet works. My degree and my PhD were focused on the study of geomorphological processes, on geological landscape forms, on river dynamics and morphotectonics.

But, over time, I felt the need to give more concrete outputs to my knowledge. Slowly, I became convinced that geoscience knowledge goes beyond the simple intellectual satisfaction and love for science. The specific knowledge and skills that I was building for my career, could have clear repercussions on society and the environment. Thus, I turned my interest to studies on geological hazards and risks and to their immediate applications, such as seismic microzonation, and in general, the study of the geological vulnerability of inhabited centers. These have been and are my research fields at the Italian Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology, where I have worked since 1999. During my work, I became increasingly aware that the geoscience activity involves great responsibilities and the duty of using our knowledge to best serve public good. These are the reasons that led me to develop geoethics, which today represents my main scientific activity. I felt the urgent need for an ethical and social reflection on geosciences practice and research. Finally, only a few years ago,  I added to my career the activity of the geoscience dissemination, through the cooperation with Italian newspapers and the publication of books that meet interests, needs and concerns of the general public.

AGU: What were some challenges or obstacles you had to overcome to pursue your career choices?

Silvia: I think that sometimes the greatest obstacles to career are built by us, whenever we have no confidence in ourselves, every time we give in to a difficulty, every time we exclude a possible path considering it too difficult for us. But undoubtedly, there are external circumstances that can hinder a person’s career path. As far as I am concerned, the biggest obstacle I encountered was basically caused by the envy of a group of colleagues, who perceived the efforts and interests I put in my scientific activity as a threat, an unwelcome interference in what they probably considered their own field of action. In particular, one of those colleagues, a senior scientist, instead of dealing with me in a professionally correct way, started to defame my reputation worldwide. And this continued for years, in the complete silence and sometimes with the connivance of his closer followers. My fault was having started to develop my own ideas in that field they probably believed to be their exclusive sphere of competence. At that time, 10 years ago, I was at the beginning of my career and they were senior scientists. And today, years later, I realize that can be difficult for a young scientist to contrast similar pressures and intimidations.

In my case, an excessive respect for the old age of this person prevented me to denounce his absurd behavior in front of the scientific community, although every day I received dozens of emails with insults and threats and my life was becoming a hell. The support of many colleagues, who took my side, helped me to go ahead, to not let myself be intimidated. For those who are insecure by character, obstacles can completely block actions. I think that any obstacle can become a mountain if determination and self-confidence are missing. On the contrary, many difficulties can be overcome if we strongly believe that what we are doing is right. And fortunately, on our career path we meet many open, honest colleagues, ready to share that path. Opening up to others is fundamental in the work of a researcher: sharing ideas and results, promoting scientific debate and comparing honestly our point of view with different visions, is the best way to grow and improve ourselves.

AGU: What skills and knowledge, technical or non-technical, do you use in your work?

Silvia: In general, when I approach a new job, I try to use all my knowledge and skills, not only scientific, but also organizational and managerial knowledge, with the aim to plan the phases in which to articulate that activity and assign tasks, focusing on subject of study, methods, objectives to be achieved. In particular, I try to make use of my past experiences, accompanied by a good dose of common sense. The beginning of an activity is the moment in which all our knowledge can help us, even the knowledge apparently further from the specific field of our competences. Going forward in the activity, obviously I need to apply more strictly scientific methods and tools, specific for that research subject, both technical and theoretical, that are appropriate to develop new knowledge and results. Anyway, every time it seems to me that all the things that I have learned over the years, none excluded, are useful for achieving the goal, even those lying in some forgotten part of my brain.

AGU: Describe the most exciting part of your research or teaching

Silvia: Undoubtedly the most exciting part of my scientific activity is represented by the phase in which my team and I must confront ourselves with others, the phase in which we open ourselves to the scientific debate. Once the results of a study are known, they are ready to be shared with the scientific community through the publication. At this point, you can have positive or negative feedback, which in any case remain valuable and indispensable opportunities for scientific improvement: in the first case they are cause of great satisfaction, in the second one they are surely an opportunity for a scientific growth. In fact, a criticism leads us to re-examine and verify our reasons, to support them if we confirm their correctness or to review them if we have made mistakes. That’s the best moment of my scientific research activity, the moment in which I have to go beyond my possible rigidities.

AGU: Describe the most discouraging part of your research or teaching and how do you overcome this limitation

Silvia: In my experience, the most discouraging moment of the research is when the interlocutors, with whom I compare my work, are not willing to listen my point of view, showing a non-constructive attitude or even an attitude of total closure. When I’m not free to express my idea, or worse when external pressures are exercised on me, such as to prevent me from acting frankly, that is the moment of greater frustration. How to behave in these circumstances? It is difficult to remain open and well-disposed, but I believe that striving to find a dialogue is always the solution that in the long term can re-activate reciprocity.

AGU: What is something you wish you had known earlier in your career?

Silvia: I would have wished to meet someone who would tell me how to optimize my time and efforts, which activities did not deserve my energies and which ones could open important opportunities for me. A mentor, capable of transferring a long-term vision, is an indispensable figure for a young scientist who wishes to undertake research, especially in a field such as geosciences, which combine theoretical and practical aspects and need continuous updating.

AGU: What advice do you have for students considering a career in the Earth and space sciences?

Silvia: I'm convinced that science needs above all credible people and that our future on this planet needs an assumption of responsibility by all, without exception, scientists included. So, my advice for students who are approaching a career in Earth and space sciences is to always be true, to be the first to believe in what they are doing, to always ask themselves about their duties and responsibilities, and to be capable of combining their ideals with the concreteness of our wonderful and beloved geosciences.


Paths through Science:
https://careers.agu.org/profiles/silvia-peppoloni/

StoryCorps Archive:
https://archive.storycorps.org/search/interviews/?q=agu

______________________

IAPG - International Association for Promoting Geoethics

http://www.geoethics.org

Geoetica e Responsabilità Sociale
delle Geoscienze

Come annunciato nel post del 15 marzo 2019, Sandra Piacente ha partecipato ad un "Dibattito sui rapporti tra Etica e Scienza - Bioetica e Geoetica", tenutosi il 27 marzo 2019 presso l'Accademia Nazionale di Modena.

In tale occasione ha tenuto una relazione dal titolo "Geoetica e Responsabilità Sociale delle Geoscienze".

Scarica le diapositive:
http://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/5195a5_9b6d0f21af7946cf93ebe522578d1eca.pdf

IAPG - International Association for Promoting Geoethics: 
http://www.geoethics.org