T61 Ethics of Geoscience in Practice and Application

Sunday, 1 November 2015
1:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Room 337

HOW TO MAKE GEOETHICS A POINT OF REFERENCE FOR SOCIETY: THE IAPG NETWORK

Paper number: T61-15
Program: Technical Sessions
Time: 5:00 PM – 5:15 PM

Authors

Abstract

Only 3 years ago, the IAPG (International Association for Promoting Geoethics - http://www.geoethics.org) was founded during the 34th International Geological Congress. In this short time, many results have been achieved, and the geoethics community has grown considerably. Qualified geoscientists' support is needed more and more by the general society to face environmental problems and search for georesources in a sustainable manner, leading to new ethical problems and dilemmas in geoscience practice. Geoscientists are also searching for new motivations in their work, rediscovering ideals that informed their choice of a geoscience career, such as respect for the environment, protection of the planet, the service to society.

For these reasons, many geoscientists believe geoethics is a fundamental discipline at the base of their work experience and an essential tool for making decisions. Geoethics addresses how geoscientists should manage their individual consciences, behaviors towards their colleagues, stewardship of Earth, responsible development of geo-resources, mitigation of geo-risks, involvement of the public in education on geosciences, and their role in the development of public policies.

The IAPG is joining forces with geoscientists from all over the world through the creation of a multidisciplinary and scientific community for discussing ethical problems and dilemmas in Earth Sciences, fostering the dissemination of geoethics through a dedicated website and editing scientific papers and books, as well as organizing events, meetings and sessions/symposia on geoethics within national and international scientific events. Currently the IAPG network includes an Executive Council, hundreds of members from 94 countries, 17 national sections, a board of experts called "Corresponding Citizen Scientist" that focuses on specific topics of geoethics, and the Young Scientists Club (YSC).

The main goal of the IAPG is to give a new cultural framework of reference to geoscientists, in which to develop shared values. The IAPG activities can help strengthen geoscientists’ awareness of their ethical, social and cultural role toward society, in order to contribute to the progress of humankind.

Herein we provide an overview on the IAPG goals, activities, results and ongoing initiatives.