The International Association for Promoting Geoethics (IAPG)
is a multidisciplinary, scientific platform for widening the discussion and creating awareness about problems of Ethics applied to the Geosciences.
IAPG is legally recognized as a not-for-profit association, has more than 2321 members in 128 countries on 5 continents, and can count on a network of 30 national sections.
What is Geoethics?
EGU 2019: signature of the MoU between IAPG and IAG - International Association of Geomorphologists
Keynote speech by Gerassimos A. Papadopoulos (IAPG-Greece co-coordinator) entitled "Modern Issues of Geoethics", at the 15th International Congress of the Geological Society of Greece
EGU 2015: IAPG informal meeting
EGU 2019: signature of the MoU between IAPG and IAG - International Association of Geomorphologists
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.
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Affiliations and Agreements
IAPG promotes geoethics through the international collaboration with Associations and Institutions.
Read more about affiliations, agreements, partnerships:
7 affiliations
20 agreements for cooperation
3 partnerships
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, GC - Geoscientists Canada, BDG - Berufsverband Deutscher Geowissenschaftler e.V., NKUA-APRL - The National and Kapodistrian University of Athens - Applied Philosophy Research Laboratory, GfGD - Geology for Global Development, 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, IYGU - International Year of Global Understanding, RFG 2018 - Resources for Future Generations.
News
IAPG sessions and short course on geoethics at the EGU 2020 General Assembly
CALL FOR ABSTRACTS (dealine: 15 January 2020, 13:00 CET)
IAPG is organizing the following event at the EGU 2020 General Assembly (Vienna, 3-8 May 2020):
Session EOS5.1 "Geoethics: how and why should geosciences serve society?"
Convenership: Silvia Peppoloni, Nic Bilham, Daniel De Miguel, Eduardo Marone, Susanne Schneider-Voss
Convenership: Giuseppe Di Capua, Martin Bohle, Victor Correia, Silvia Peppoloni
Convenership: Eduardo Marone, Jan Boon, Giuseppe Di Capua, Silvia Peppoloni
The short course is co-sponsored by IAPG (School on Geoethics) and and IOI-TC-LAC - International Ocean Institute Training Centre for Latin America and the Caribbean
Read details about the IAPG sessions and short course
Roland Schlich Travel Support (deadline for applications: 1 December 2019)
SCHOOL ON GEOETHICS AND NATURAL ISSUES
(SCHOLA DE GEOETHICA ET NATURAE QUAESTIONIBUS)
We are proud to announce the launch 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".
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.
IAPG AND NKUA-APRL SIGNED A MoU
The NKUA-APRL and the IAPG signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 30 September 2019.
The aim of the MoU is to cooperate on developing empirical and/or theoretical research in the areas of geoethics and bioethics, and to coordinate activities aimed at promoting the discussion on the ethical, social and cultural implications of geosciences and biosciences.
GEOETHICAL ISSUES AND GEOETHICAL DILEMMAS
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.
IAPG-CAMEROON HAS NOW A CO-COORDINATOR: NJILAH ISAAC KONFOR
Njilah Isaac Konfor has been appointed new co-coordinator of IAPG-Cameroon. He will lead the section together with the current coordinator, Ndzishepngong Kelvin Ngwang.
Njilah Isaac is a Cameroonian Associate Professor of Geology with expertise in Geochemistry, Environmental Science and Disaster Risk Management. He obtained his MSc and PhD from the University of Leeds (UK), and completed the Advanced Course in Geographical Information System (GIS), GPS and Remote Sensing, and the Advanced Professional training in the field of Integrated Groundwater Management.
He has held several managerial positions including: Coordinator of Lake Nyos Project "Securisation and socioeconomic Reintegration of the Lake Nyos Area Cameroon" piloted by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP); Deputy Secretary General of the Geological Society of Africa (1999-2003); President/Coordinator of the Cameroon Association for Young Scientists (CAMAYS); UNDP (2010): Cartography and coordination of the elaboration of Disaster Relief Operational Plan (Plan ORSEC) for Menchum Division, Cameroon; Principal Geologist in charge of Identification of Risk Zones in Cameroon. (Prospection, inventory, cartography of risk zones), piloted by the UNDP; Lead consultant for the drafting of the National Programme for the Prevention and Management of Catastrophes in Cameroon (PNPGC), UNDP/MINAT; Coordinator of the International Network for Young Scientists Cameroon; Coordinator and Chairman of the Environmental Protection and Catastrophe Management (EPCAM), Cameroon; Coordinator of the Cameroon Association for Young Scientists (CAMAYS); UNESCO Nairobi Office: Evaluation of the vulnerability of the population around Lake Nyos and Mt. Cameroon to toxic gas emissions and volcanic eruptions. He is the Editor of the African Journal of Science and Technology (UNESCO Journal) and the Journal of the Geosciences Society of Cameroon. Since 1992 till date, he serves as a lecturer in Geology, Geo-environmental Sciences and Geochemistry at the Department of Earth Sciences, University of Yaoundé 1, Cameroon.
EXPLORING GEOETHICS
Ethical Implications, Societal Contexts, and Professional Obligations of the Geosciences
Martin Bohle (Ed.)
2019, Palgrave Pivot, Cham, XIV + 214, ISBN 978-3-030-12009-2
Authors: Martin Bohle, Silvia Peppoloni, Giuseppe Di Capua, Nic Bilham, Eduardo Marone, Rika Preiser
This book explores the potential of geoethics, as designed within the operational criteria of addressing the deeds and values of the human agent as part of the Earth system. It addresses three key questions: i) what should be considered 'geoethics' in an operational sense, ii) what is peripheral to it, and iii) is there a case therefore to establish a denomination, such as geo-humanities or geosophy, to capture a broader scope of thinking about geoscience and its interactions with society and the natural world, for the benefit of the geo-professionals and others.
The book begins by framing, contextualising and describing contemporary geoethics, then goes on to cover several examples of geoethical thinking and explores the societal intersections of geosciences in the planetary 'human niche'. The concluding chapter discusses the challenges facing the emerging field of geoethics and how it may evolve in the future.
Bringing together a set of experts across multiple interdisciplinary fields this collection will appeal to scholars, researchers, practitioners and students within geosciences and social sciences, political sciences as well as the humanities. It will interest those who are curious about how ethical reflections relate to professional duties, scholarly interests, activities in professional geoscience associations, or responsible citizenship in times of anthropogenic global change.
International Congress GEOETH&GWM’19:
Geoethics & Groundwater Management: Theory and Practice for a Sustainable Development
Porto (Portugal), 18-22 May 2020
The joint event IAPG - International Association for Promoting Geoethics and IAH - International Association of Hydrogeologists will be an excellent occasion for discussing and sharing values, best practices and strategies to manage water resources for a sustainable future.
IAPG symposium 1.7 on geoethics at the
36th IGC - International Geological Congress, Delhi (India), 2020
36th IGC - International Geological Congress
Delhi (India), 2-8 March 2020
The IAPG organizes the following symposium under the Theme 1 "GEOSCIENCE FOR SOCIETY".
Symposium 1.7 "Geoethics: Ethical, Social, and Cultural Aspects in Geosciences".
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).
Acknowledging the role of Geoscientists at the service of society, this symposium, proposed by IAPG - International Association for Promoting Geoethics, aims to develop ethical and social discussion on following topics, including case-studies:
a) Theoretical aspects of geoethics; b) Research integrity and professional deontology in geosciences; c) Ethical aspects of geoscience education (including the issue from theory to educational practice) and communication; d) Geoethics in natural-anthropogenic risk management; e) Geoethics for responsible use of geo-resources, including legislation, best practices, and social acceptance for mining activities; f) Geoethics in addressing global societal challenges.
Abstract submission deadline: expired
(The call for abstracts was successful with 43 abstracts submitted in the IAPG symposium! Thank you to all)
Cape Town Statement on Geoethics
It sums up all the values, concepts, contents developed by IAPG, giving a perspective for the future development of geoethics. Supported by 22 geoscience organizations and available in 35 languages
Geoethical Promise
A Hippocratic-like oath for geoscientists, originally proposed at the 34th IGC-International Geological Congress in Brisbane (Australia). Translated in 35 languages
White Paper on Responsible Mining
It intends to provide essential reference elements for framing this important topic from an ethical perspective. Drafted by the IAPG Task Group on Responsible Mining and approved by IAPG EC on 1 December 2017
SpringerBriefs
in Geoethics
It envisions a series of short publications that aim to discuss ethical, social, and cultural implications of geosciences knowledge, education, research, practice and communication.
Dimension stone industry should meet the fundamental values of geoethics
(by Nicola Careddu, Giuseppe Di Capua, Giampaolo Siotto)
"... This paper argues that geoethical values as stated in the Cape Town Statement on Geoethics and in the Geoethical Promise, should be strongly introduced even in the Dimension Stone Industry, especially considering that this economic sector has been greatly increasing its
activities. ..."
(Nicolas Charles - PanAfGeo, Djimadoum Nambatingar - Organization of African Geological Surveys, Enrique Diaz-Martinez - European Association for the Conservation of Geological Heritage, Ezzoura Errami - African Association of Women in Geosciences and African Geoparks Network)
Antananarivo (Madagascar), 8 June 2019
Principles of Water Ethics
(by B. Jennings, K. Gwiazdon, P. Heltne)
"... The significance of water for life and health is fundamental and can scarcely be overstated, and hence the pertinence of ethics to water utilization and management is clear in a general sense. It is important for everyone involved in water resource management and in public health to have a well-reasoned understanding of the moral values and obligations that correspond to that significance. ... "
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Documents and online resources on topics of interest for geoethics
The ‘Anthropocene Proposal’: A Possible Quandary and A Work-Around
(by Martin Bohle and Nic Bilham)
" ... it appears practical to distinguish in the geological time scale between the ´geological past’ and the ‘geologically contemporary’, and to denote a transition point between them, situated in the (recent) past of human history. ..."
Geoethics, an Antidote in a Wicked 'Human Niche'?
(by Martin Bohle, IAPG Board of Experts, Germany)
" ... Because geoethical thinking is knowledge-based, the interventions of the actors are nourished by insights into the system behaviour (of natural, technological and human systems). As geoethical thinking is concerned about social and political contexts, the actors should be able to intervene in a value-sensitive and culture-conscious manner. ...."
Read the article in the IAPG Blog
Circular economy is about resource efficiency, not "only" recycling
(by Nikolaos Arvaniditis, IAPG Task Group on Responsible Mining, Sweden)
" ... An important aspect to be also considered is whether resource efficiency and circular economy can contribute to limiting or managing in a better way the growing public opinion on mining...."
Read the article in the IAPG Blog
