PROUDLY PRESENT: 

Short Course Proposal

"Foundations and Perspectives of Geoethics for Earth, Marine and Atmospheric Sciences"

Proposed Short Course

Session: SC2 – Scientific approaches & concepts

Foundations and Perspectives of Geoethics for Earth, Marine and Atmospheric Sciences

Convenership
Eduardo Marone, Jan Boon, Giuseppe Di Capua, Silvia Peppoloni

Rationale
The proper and deep education on ethical issues in geosciences has been evolving in recent times, although not as quickly and deeply as necessary. Many of the professionals dedicated to Earth Sciences have been not in touch with such new concepts and tendencies as the concept of Geoethics. Geoethics is the research and reflection on the values which underpin appropriate behaviors and practices, wherever human activities interact with the Earth system. Geoethics provides a framework from which to define ethical professional behaviors in both geosciences and engineering, and to determine how these should be put into practice for the benefit of society and environment. This Short Course goes is directed towards introducing and training geoscientists in those new concept and ideas as well as exposing the perspectives of this field.

Targeted audience
Most, if not all, of the EGU General Assembly attendants are potential participants, although we will target, mostly, early-career practitioners and scientists, with enough basic background not to be overly challenged in these theoretical and practical issues.

Learning objectives 
After completing this course, participants:

• Will know the basic principles of ethics and how these lead to geoethics.
• Will be aware of the dilemmas involved in making geoethical decisions.
• Will have gained some experience in taking a geoethical approach to real world cases.

Course Content

• From Ethics to Geoethics: definition, values, tools 
• Responsible conduct of research and professionalism
• Tools for Confronting (geo)ethical dilemmas
• Geoethics for society: sustainable development and responsible mining
• Geoethics in natural hazards and risks
• Geoethics in geoscience communication
• Recent developments in geoethical thinking
• Perspectives of Geoethics
• Geoethics’ case studies: Paleontology, Water Management, Ocean Governance, etc.

Programme

TO BE DEFINED - CHECK WITH FREQUENCY - IT WILL BE ANNOUNCED AS SOON AS APPROVED 

Sponsorship
The Short Course is co-sponsored by:

• IAPG - International Association for Promoting Geoethics (http://www.geoethics.org)
• IOI-TC-LAC - International Ocean Institute Training Centre for Latin America and the Caribbean  (https://www.ioitclac.org/).

SESSION PROPOSAL 

IF APPROVED YOU MAY ENJOY ALSO : 

EGU 2020

Vienna, 3-8 May 2020

EOS – Education and Outreach Sessions

EOS5 - Geoethics

GEOETHICS: HOW AND WHY SHOULD GEOSCIENCES SERVE SOCIETY?

Geoscientists face ethical issues in their activities. All branches of geosciences have ethical, social and cultural implications. Geoethics aims to provide a common framework for these concerns, and to nourish a discussion on the basic values which underpin appropriate behaviors and practices, wherever human activities interact with the Earth system.

The spectrum of topics geoethics deals with includes:

·     philosophical and historical aspects of geoscience, their relevance to ethical issues and values in contemporary geoscience, and their role in informing methods for effective and ethical decision-making;

·    geoscience professionalism and deontology, research integrity and ensuring respectful working spaces, including issues related to harassment and discrimination, gender and disability in geosciences;

·     ethical and social problems related to management of land, air and water;

·     socio-environmentally sustainable supply of geo-resources (including energy, minerals and water), recognising the importance of effective regulation and policy-making, social acceptance, and understanding and promoting best practice;

·     environmental change, pollution and their impacts;

· resilience of society related to natural and anthropogenic hazards, and risk management and mitigation strategies;

· ethical aspects of geoscience education (including issues from theory to educational practice) and communication;

·     culture and value of geodiversity, geoconservation, geoheritage and fossils, geoparks and geotourism;

·  role of geosciences in achieving socio-economic development that respects cultures, traditions and local development paths, regardless of countries' wealth, and in promoting peace, responsible and sustainable development and intercultural exchange.

Geoscientists’ knowledge and expertise are essential to addressing many of the most urgent global problems, to informed decision-making, and to education at all levels, so that citizens are equipped to discuss, shape and implement solutions to local, regional and global socio-environmental problems. Geoscientists who are more aware of their ethical responsibilities will be better able to put their knowledge at the service of society and to foster public trust in geosciences.

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

Convener: Silvia Peppoloni (Italy)

Co-Conveners: Nic Bilham (UK), Daniel DeMiguel (Spain), Eduardo Marone (Brazil), Susanne Schneider-Voß (Austria).