The International Association for Promoting Geoethics (IAPG)
is a multidisciplinary, scientific platform for widening the discussion and creating awareness about problems of Geoethics and Ethics applied to the Geosciences.
IAPG is legally recognized as a not-for-profit association, has more than 2610 members in 130 countries on 5 continents, and can count on a network of 32 national sections.
IAPG works to developing theoretical and practical activities 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.
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What is Geoethics?
Geoethics consists of research and reflection on the values which underpin appropriate behaviours and practices, wherever human activities interact with the Earth system. Geoethics deals with the ethical, social and cultural implications of geoscience education, research and practice, and with the social role and responsibility of geoscientists in conducting their activities..... Read more
Affiliations and Agreements
IAPG promotes geoethics through the international collaboration with Associations and Institutions.
Read more about affiliations, agreements, partnerships:
7 affiliations
25 agreements for cooperation
4 partnerships
Support the IAPG, make your donation!
Affiliations: IUGS - International Union of Geological Sciences, ICPHS - International Council for Philosophy and Human Sciences, AGI - American Geosciences Institute, GSL - Geological Society of London, CFES - Canadian Federation of Earth Sciences, GSA - Geological Society of America, GIRAF - Geoscience Information in Africa Network.
Agreements: EFG - European Federation of Geologists, EGS - EuroGeoSurveys, AGU - American Geophysical Union, IAH - International Association of Hydrogeologists, IAG/AIG - International Association of Geomorphologists, IUGS-IFG - Initiative on Forensic Geology, AAWG - African Association of Women in Geosciences, IAEG - International Association for Engineering Geology and the Environment, GSAf - Geological Society of Africa, GC - Geoscientists Canada, BDG - Berufsverband Deutscher Geowissenschaftler e.V., APG - Associação Portuguesa de Geólogos, SGCh - Sociedad Geológica de Chile, NKUA-APRL - The National and Kapodistrian University of Athens - Applied Philosophy Research Laboratory, GfGD - Geology for Global Development, JMO - Jeoloji Mühendisleri Odası (Turkisk Chamber of Geological Engineers), MJD - Maden Jeologları Derneği (Turkish Association of Economic Geologists), AEG - Association of Environmental & Engineering Geologists, YES - International Network of Young and Early-Career Geoscientists, IGEO - International Geoscience Education Organisation, FCEA - Forum for Climate Engineering Assessment, SGP - Sociedad Geológica del Perù, I-GEMA - Instituto de Geociencias Y Medio Ambiente, Arequipa-Perù, ANGE - African Network for Geo-Education, GEVAS Red Argentina.
Partnerships: AGU Ethics & Equity Center, iCRAG Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion in Geoscience - EDIG project, IYGU - International Year of Global Understanding, RFG 2018 - Resources for Future Generations.
2021
News
19-30 April 2021
Geoethics at the EGU 2021
The call for abstracts is open (extended deadline: 20 January 2021, 13:00 CET)
IAPG co-sponsors two sessions and a short course at the EGU 2021:
- Session EOS4.2: Geoethics: Geosciences serving Society (Convenership: Silvia Peppoloni and Giuseppe Di Capua);
- Session EOS3.2: Climate literacy: Learning, education, methods and roadmaps (Convenership: David Crookall, Giuseppe Di Capua, Lydie Lescarmontier, Robin Matthews, Frank Niepold);
- Short Course SC4.4: Foundations and Perspectives of Geoethics for Earth, Marine and Atmospheric Sciences - In memoriam of Jan Boon (Convenership: Eduardo Marone, Giuseppe Di Capua, Silvia Peppoloni).
In 2021, the IAPG will celebrate 10 years of its sessions on geoethics at the EGU General Assembly.
Details (session and short course descriptions, links for abstract submission): https://www.geoethics.org/egu2021
IAPG endorses the eLearning Course "Practical Geocommunication"
Dear IAPG member,
IAPG has recently endorsed the eLearning course ‘Practical Geocommunication’ offered by Geologize Ltd. Geologize teaches geoscientists to bring the public to a great understanding and appreciation of our planet through effective and powerful communication.
To find out more about the course, please check out the following video:
https://youtu.be/jQDZxDZnUC8
As a member of an endorsing association, you now have a 60% discount on the course fee.
Your unique access code is: iapg-pggz
Here’s how to start your learning experience!
1) Head over to https://training.geologize.org/courses/geocomms
2) Click on 'BUY $450’
3) Register (Free)
4) Click on the link ‘Have a coupon?’
5) Enter the code I have given you above. This will apply the discount.
6) Pay the remaining value.
7) Start learning!
The number of times this coupon can be used is limited to the current membership of the IAPG, so I kindly request that it not be shared with those outside the IAPG.
Learners follow the course at their own pace and you will have lessons, quizzes, assignments and the opportunity to interact directly with myself, Dr Haydon Mort. A certificate is provided at the end of the course, with the seals of the IAPG, The Geological Society of London and the European Federation of Geologists, who also endorse the course.
All the best,
Haydon Mort
---------------------------------------------------
Dr. Haydon Mort
CEO-Director Geologize Ltd
Geologist, Science Communicator
Framework for Addressing Racial and Ethnic Equity in Geosciences Professional Societies
The IAPG is a formal signatory of the AGI - American Geosciences Institute document that sets a framework for geoscience societies to proactively cultivate an inclusive profession that both addresses systemic issues and sets priorities aimed at increasing equity for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) geoscientists and addressing issues of intersectionality among race, class, disability status and gender.
The IAPG Task Group on Responsible Mining has new members
This IAPG Task Group is active from 8 May 2017 and in the same year released the White Paper on Responsible Mining. Unfortunately this year Jan Boon (Canada), one of the members of the Task Group and co-author of the White Paper, passed away. Moreover another member, Pekka Nurmi (Finland) decided to leave the Task Group after his retirement. Finally, Nikolaos Arvanitidis (Sweden) and Giuseppe Di Capua (Italy) will continue to serve in the group. The IAPG continues to believe that responsible approaches and practices are fundamental to assure societal acceptance and environmental sustainability to mining activities. To this aim the Task Group will receive new inputs from additional members: Marita Ahumada (Argentina), Estelle Levin-Nally (United Kingdom), Vitor Correia (Portugal), and Roberto Lencina (Argentina).
The IAPG wishes to thank these new members who are starting to serve in the IAPG Task Group on Responsible Mining.
UNESCO Lecture Series: Earth Materials for a Sustainable and Thriving Society
The IAPG is media partner of the Lecture Series, organized by UNESCO in collaboration with IUGS and iCRAG.
Minerals and other Earth materials are a key component in the development of a sustainable global society, providing essential raw materials for technologies and economic growth while respecting the natural world. This programme of lectures, designed for a global audience, will provide diverse perspectives on Earth materials and their role in society. Leading natural scientists, social scientists, and educators will look at how Earth materials are critical to a sustainable future and how the minerals sector, adhering to best practices, can contribute to society in a socially and environmentally positive way.
The lectures will be delivered in webinar format by recognized global experts who will frame their presentations in the context of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The Series will boost knowledge of Earth materials and contribute to better informed local, regional, and international discussions. The lectures will be freely accessible and will be archived for later online access.
Dates
26 January 2021 - 9 March 2021
Registration
Click here
Languages
All sessions will be conducted in English with live captioning in French, Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic, Swahili, and Hindi.
Download the information flyer
Queries about the series unescolectures@icrag-centre.org
IAPG signed an agreement for cooperation with JMO
On 12 January 2021, the IAPG signed an agreement for cooperation with the JMO - Jeoloji Mühendisleri Odası (Turkish Chamber of Geological Engineers). The aim of this agreement is to develop a coordinated activity for promoting initiatives and events discussing the ethical, social and cultural implications of geosciences in Turkey. It helps to assure a continued IAPG – JMO cooperation and coordination on issues of common interests in Turkey, in particular, the following: Theoretical aspects of geoethics; Analyses of geoethical problems and dilemmas, also through case-studies; Co-organization of scientific events on geoethics; Production of relevant publications. JMO agrees to support the "Cape Town Statement on Geoethics" (that contains the Geoethical Promise) and to be included in the list of 27 supporting organizations of the statement.
IAPG signed an agreement for cooperation with GSAf
On 19 November 2020, the IAPG signed an agreement for cooperation with the GSAf - Geological Society of Africa. The agreement expresses a mutual desire to cooperate on a range of themes in the field of geoethics. It helps to assure a continued IAPG – GSAf cooperation and coordination on issues of common interests in Africa, in particular, the following: Theoretical aspects of geoethics; Analyses of geoethical problems and dilemmas, also through case-studies; Co-organization of scientific events on geoethics; Production of relevant publications. GSAf agrees to support the "Cape Town Statement on Geoethics" (that contains the Geoethical Promise) and to be included in the list of 27 supporting organizations of the statement.
IAPG signed an agreement for cooperation with MJD
On 1 December 2020, the IAPG signed an agreement for cooperation with the MJD - Maden Jeologları Derneği (Turkish Association of Economic Geologists). The aim of this agreement is to develop a coordinated activity for promoting initiatives and events discussing the ethical, social and cultural implications of geosciences in Turkey. It helps to assure a continued IAPG – MJD cooperation and coordination on issues of common interests in Turkey, in particular, the following: Theoretical aspects of geoethics; Analyses of geoethical problems and dilemmas, also through case-studies; Co-organization of scientific events on geoethics; Production of relevant publications. MJD agrees to support the "Cape Town Statement on Geoethics" (that contains the Geoethical Promise) and to be included in the list of 27 supporting organizations of the statement.
The video of the Lecture on "Geoethics: Integrity and Ethics in Science in Higher Education"
The video recording of the Lecture by John Geissman (University of Texas at Dallas; IAPG Geoethics Medal 2020), held on 4 January 2021, is available in the webpage of the University of Potsdam (Germany) and the IAPG YouTube channel:
https://www.uni-potsdam.de/de/earth/oeffentlichkeitsarbeit/seminare/geoethics (University of Potsdam)
https://youtu.be/GANbLvJ6bms (IAPG YouTube Channel)
The video of the Webinar on Geoethics for the International Geoethics Day 2020
The Early Career Scientists Team (ECST) of the IAPG, in cooperation with AGI - American Geosciences Institute, organized a webinar on geoethics on 19 October 2020.
Through this event the IAPG celebrated the International Geoethics Day 2020.
Speakers: Giuseppe Di Capua, Cristina Toma, Silvia Peppoloni, Alexandra Cardoso, Daniel DeMiguel, Sebastian Handl, Cesar Oboni, Linda Gundersen
Moderators: Jonathan Rizzi and Barbara Zambelli
Go to the video recording on the IAPG YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/QV-qgAJPAAQ
The video of the Conference on Geosciences, Professional Ethics, and Sustainability
The video recording of the conference (in Spanish) by Luisa Pinto Lincoñir (IAPG-Chile coordinator), held on 9 December 2020, is available in the IAPG YouTube channel:
Photo contest of the ENGIE project
In the frame of the project ENGIE - Encouraging Girls to Study Geosciences and Engineering, a Video contest for 12-18 old girls in Europe has been organized.
Girls participating in the contest can submit short videos about what they think geologists do at work.
Detailed information about this action is available at the ENGIE website:
Questionnaire "Geoethics in the Geosciences"
Which is the the geoscience community's perception and awareness on the importance of the ethical and social aspects of geoscience research and practice?
The online questionnarie "Geoethics in the Geosciences" is the tool for investigating this perception and awareness in this international survey conducted by the IAPG.
Everyone can fill in the questionnaire anonymously, since its structure allows compilers to fill in it as individuals in the performance of their institutional/professional activities, without implying personal data or information related to their private life.
This international survey is partially funded by the IUGS - International Union of Geological Sciences.
The questionnaire will be disseminated within the international geoscience community, also through the help of the geoscience partner organizations of the IAPG.
Everyone is invited to fill in the questionnaire. Help us in this international survey. Share the link to fill in the questionnaire with your colleagues.
Thank you very much for your cooperation.
The questionnaire can fill in here: https://form.jotformeu.com/93223788145362
IAPG-UK has a new coordinator
Antony Benham has been appointed new coordinator of IAPG-United Kingdom. He replaces David Ovadia. The IAPG wishes to thank David Ovadia to have established the UK section and for his precious work in representing IAPG in the UK and in several international events and projects. He will still continue to serve the IAPG as prominent member.
IAPG-UK is one of the thirty-second section of the IAPG.
IAPG-Bangaldesh has a new co-coordinator
Abdul Baquee Khan Majlis has been appointed new co-coordinator of IAPG-Bangladesh. He will lead the section together with Jahangir Alam, and replaces Ershadul Haque. The IAPG wishes to thank Ershadul Haque for the great work done to establish the section and to start promoting geoethics in Bangladesh, giving great visibility to our Association within the local geoscience community. He will still continue to serve the IAPG as prominent member.
IAPG-Bangladesh is one of the thirty-second section of the IAPG.
Open letter by IAPG-Peru on Peruvian paleontological heritage
The open letter by IAPG-Peru (in Spanish) warns about the proposal for a Law on the Paleontological Heritage of Peru: recent parliamentary initiatives proposed that the administration of paleontological heritage is assigned to the Peruvian Ministry of Culture. Fossil protection would be assigned to personnel with no expertise in paleontology. In this perspective the use of fossils for scientific purposes would be strongly hampered. For these and other reasons, this law will be detrimental to scientific development in Paleontology, leading to arbitrariness, bureaucracy and corruption. Within this framework, the Open Letter of IAPG Peru calls for action by citizens and authorities to consider fossils as a scientific heritage.
Download the open letter by IAPG-Peru
Picture credit: https://museohn.unmsm.edu.pe/paleover.html
The Early Career Scientists Team (ECST) of the IAPG
The IAPG considers the ESCT as its outpost and one of its greater strengths. The IAPG believes that early career and young scientists can indicate needs and expectations on the future of geosciences. They can help to give a perspective updated and adhering to the new challenges that geoscientists have to face. They can also report new instances from the society, identifying the potential innovative contributions that geosciences can provide to society.
The ECST board is formed by: Daniel De Miguel (Spain) - Spokeperson; Ndivhuwo Cecilia Mukosi (South Africa); Sebastian Handl (Austria); Cristina Toma (Romania); Cesar Oboni (Canada); Bárbara Zambelli (Brazil); Jonathan Rizzi (Italy/Norway); Alexandra Cardoso (Portugal).
The IAPG thanks Flavia Strani (Sapienza University of Rome, Italy) to have drawn the ECST logo.
14-16 December 2020
EDIG Conference on Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion in Geoscience
The IAPG - International Association for Promoting Geoethics (https://www.geoethics.org) supports the EDIG Conference on Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion in Geoscience.
From EDIG project: "To help us better understand the challenges faced by many people in the geoscience community, we recently ran a survey asking people about their experiences with equality, diversity, and inclusion related topics. We have been working with the survey data to structure an online conference, now planned for the 15/16th of December. There will be an ice breaker style event on the evening of the 14th.
The conference will be run over 2 days, with 3 sessions (talks and panel discussions) and a workshop focusing on unconscious bias.
Download the EDIG Conference programme
Conference website: https://www.icrag-centre.org/edig/conference/
New article: Geoethics and New Medias: Sharing Knowledge and Values
It can be downloaded for free and cited as follows:
Drąsutė V., Corradi S., Peppoloni S., Di Capua G. (2020)
Geoethics and New Medias: Sharing Knowledge and Values
In: 10th The Future of Education International Conference – Virtual, Conference Proceedings, Filodiritto Editore, Bologna,
New article: Geoethics for Nudging Human Practices in Times of Pandemics
It can be downloaded for free and cited as follows:
Marone E. and Bohle M. (2020)
Geoethics for Nudging Human Practices in Times of Pandemics
Sustainability, 12(18), 7271, https://doi.org/10.3390/su12187271
New article: Applying the Values of Geoethics for Sustainable Speleotourism Development
It can be downloaded for free and cited as follows:
Antić A., Peppoloni S., Di Capua G. (2020).
Applying the Values of Geoethics for Sustainable Speleotourism Development
Geoheritage, 12(3):73, 1-9,
New book: Teaching Geoethics
This e-Book was a deliverable of the Erasmus+ project GOAL "Geoethics Outcomes and Awareness Learning". It can be downloaded for free and cited as follows:
Vasconcelos Clara, Schneider-Voß Susanne, and Peppoloni Silvia (Eds.)
Teaching Geoethics
Resources for higher education
2020, U.Porto Edições, 207 pp.,
New article: Viewing Earth and World through the Geoethical Lens
It can be downloaded for free:
Bohle M., Peppoloni S., and Marone E. (2020)
Viewing Earth and World through the Geoethical Lens
Human Futures, Issue 2, 28-29, https://issuu.com/wfsf.president/docs/issue_2_2020_hf_final_4_sept
Nuclear weapons banned from today: welcome to the era of responsibility
(but also of uncertainty)
(by Silvia Peppoloni, Italy)
This article was published in ReWriters Magazine, in Italian and English:
https://rewriters.it/da-oggi-vietate-le-armi-nucleari-benvenuti-nellera-della-responsabilita-ma-anche-dellincertezza/
"... The treaty on the prohibition of nuclear weapons is a signal of peace and cooperation between all volentes ...", but "... never take it for granted that the world has changed its way towards the better, as well as towards the worse. Uncertainty is the trait that connotes contemporaneity, but it is also a great discovery for each individual, the discovery of being able to influence the directions to take with one’s choices. And perhaps from this responsibility, the best creative qualities of the human being will be able to find historical accomplishment."
Read the article in the IAPG Blog
Geoaesthetics: the aesthetic intelligence of the Earth
(by Silvia Peppoloni, Italy)
This article was published in ReWriters Magazine, in Italian and English:
https://rewriters.it/geoestetica-lintelligenza-estetica-della-terra/
" ... the idea of the natural environment as a simple reality to be exploited, controlled and managed is cancelled in us, and our spiritual and emotional relationship with the physical place emerges overwhelmingly, as well as the perception of its identity, its sacredness, satisfying our ancestral need to establish an emotional and aesthetic bond with the natural environment that surrounds us ..."
Read the article in the IAPG Blog
Earth first, Mars later
(by José Martín Cabello Lechuga, Chile)
" ... it is meritorious to prioritize understanding and above all the care of our planet, which requires urgently dedicating adequate budgets. And once we solve all the pressing problems affecting our ecosystems and their inhabitants, only then will we invest to travel throughout the Universe. ..."
Read the article in the IAPG Blog
Geoethics training in the Earth and environmental sciences
(by David W. Mogk & Monica Z. Bruckner, USA)
"Ethical dilemmas are regularly encountered by Earth and environmental scientists. Explicit training is required to allow the community to recognize such dilemmas, and to prevent and mitigate ethical issues as they arise"
Read the article in Nature Reviews Earth & Environment
Defining geoethics
(by Giuseppe Di Capua and Silvia Peppoloni, Italy)
"... Ideas that underpin the conceptual foundations of geoethics can be traced back to the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries when anthropogenic impacts on nature began to be recognised and documented. ...."
Read the article in the IAPG Blog
In evidence
Guidelines for geoconservation in protected and conserved areas
(by Crofts R., Gordon J.E., Brilha J., Gray M., Gunn J., Larwood J., Santucci V.L., Tormey D., and Worboys G.L.)
Best Practice Protected Area Guidelines Series No. 31. Gland, Switzerland: IUCN. ISBN 978-2-8317-2079-1, doi:10.2305/IUCN.CH.2020.PAG.31.en.
IUCN - International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, 2020
Promoting Gender Diversity and Inclusion in the Oil, Gas and Mining Extractive Industries
A Women’s Human Rights Report
(by R. Park, B. Metzger, and L. Foreman)
The Advocates for Human Rights, January 2019
Global Research Report
Research Integrity: Understanding our shared responsibility for a sustainable scholarly ecosystem
(by Szomszor M. and Quaderi N., Institute for Scientific Information)
October 2020
White Paper on Citizen Science for Europe
(by Sanz F.S., Holocher-Ertl T., Kieslinger B., Sanz García F. and Silva C.G.)
European Commission, 2014
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
On 25 September 2015, countries adopted a set of goals to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all as part of a new sustainable development agenda. Each goal has specific targets to be achieved over the next 15 years.
Mining with Principles
"... We believe that environmental conservation and mining can co-exist when companies commit to a set of principles focussed on managing and mitigating the impact of mining and metals activities ..."
Latest:
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IAPG signed an agreement for cooperation with SGCh
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Welcome to IAPG-Chile
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John W. Geissman is awarded the Geoethics Medal 2020
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Webinar on geoethics for the International Geoethics Day 2020
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School on Geoethics and Natural Issues