Featured Publication: The Future Challenges of Geoethics
- iapgeoethics
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This essay has been recently published:
Peppoloni S., Di Capua G., and Bilham N. (2025). The Future Challenges of Geoethics: Navigating Technology, Sustainability, and Social and Professional Responsibility. In: Peppoloni S. and Di Capua G. (eds.), Geoethics and Geosciences Serving Society: Reflections from the 37th International Geological Congress. SpringerBriefs in Geoethics. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-032-03754-1_2
Abstract:
Geoethics is increasingly acknowledged as a critical field for examining the societal implications of geoscientific knowledge and its contribution to fostering a responsible and sustainable future for humanity. It engages with the ethical, cultural, and social dimensions of human interaction with the Earth system, focusing on natural resource use, land management, risk mitigation, and ecosystem protection. In the context of escalating global socio-ecological crises, geoethics demands more integrated and interdisciplinary approaches. These challenges necessitate a redefinition of the objectives, values, and ethical foundations underpinning scientific inquiry and technological innovation. Furthermore, contemporary governance frameworks, including decision-making and legislative processes, must be re-envisioned to adequately reflect the complexity and interconnectedness of an increasingly digitalized and globalized world. Central to the advancement of geoethics is the development and adoption of a methodological framework, conceptualized here as Relational Geoscientific Pragmatism (RGP), that advocates for pragmatic, context-sensitive solutions grounded in cross-disciplinary collaboration. It seeks to harmonize scientific understanding with ethical principles and societal values, drawing upon the philosophical orientation of ecological humanism. RGP emphasizes a relational perspective that affirms the intrinsic value of both humanity and the physical world, promoting a more holistic, inclusive, and ethically informed response to contemporary socio-environmental challenges. This chapter critically examines the principal challenges facing geoethics in the coming years and articulates how RGP, informed by ecological humanism, can serve as a guiding framework for both the scientific community and broader society. It aims to contribute to the ongoing discourse on sustainable development by advancing ethically robust pathways that integrate scientific knowledge with normative commitments to social and environmental justice.
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