IAPG-Nigeria has a new great website!

Arinze Harrison
(IAPG-Nigeria coordinator)

Congratulations to our coordinator in Nigeria, Arinze Harrison Ikwumelezeh (Raw Materials Research and Development Council, Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, Abuja).

IAPG-Nigeria is legally recognized as a non-profit association with local registration n. CAC/IT/NO 84719,

Look at the new website of IAPG-Nigeria at: http://iapgn.org.ng/

IAPG - International Association for Promoting Geoethics:

http://www.geoethics.org

Ruth Allington
is the new member of the IAPG Board of Experts
on Geoscience Professionalism

The IAPG Board of Experts has a new member (Corresponding Citizen Scientist  - CCS): Ruth Allington. Her topic is "Geoscience Professionalism".

Joint Senior Partner of GWP Consultants LLP, the firm she joined in 1981 immediately after graduating. She has a joint honours BSc from King’s College London in geology and geography and an MSc in engineering geology from Durham University. In the mid 1990s she completed an MBA through the Open University. She is an experienced expert witness and a qualified commercial mediator. Ruth applies her engineering geology and geomorphology in the UK and internationally to mineral resource evaluation, geological modelling, and the detailed design and scheduling of quarries, landfills and open pit mines for construction materials, industrial minerals and solid fuel minerals. This includes the design of pit geometries as well as optimising economics, safety and environmental impact issues. She is a principal author of A Quarry Design Handbook 2014 (www.gwp.uk.com/qdeshbook.html).
Alongside mainstream technical consulting, Ruth is very experienced in training for specialists and non-specialists working in and affected by the quarrying and related industries and, more generally, in dispute resolution and dispute avoidance. A particular skill and passion is as a communicator of scientific and engineering concepts to members of the public and non-specialist legislators and regulators in connection with mineral projects and some significant engineering and infrastructure projects – securing a ‘social licence to operate’. She travels widely in Europe and further afield and is excited by the challenges of delivering successful solutions to clients in different cultural, climatic and environmental settings.
Ever since graduating, she has participated in the geoscience community, initially through committee and Council service at the Geological Society of London (notably, Chair of the Engineering Group between 1998 and 2000, and Professional Secretary 2002-2005). She was a Council member of European Federation of Geologists (EFG) from 2002-2009 and President from 2009 to 2013. She is a member of the Pan European Reserves and Resources Reporting Committee (PERC).
Ruth is committed to promoting the highest professional and technical standards amongst geologists and others involved in the application of geoscience to construction and solid mineral extraction, particularly through active participation in professional associations and societies and in the promotion of professional titles such as CGeol, CEng and EurGeol. She is passionate about promoting ‘joined up thinking’ and risk reduction through encouraging collaborative approaches to problem definition and problem solving based on effective communication and co-operation in the margins between disciplines as well as between technical specialists and the public.


IAPG Board of Experts: 
http://www.geoethics.org/experts


IAPG - International Association for Promoting Geoethics:
http://www.geoethics.org

Counteracting the lack of attractiveness of geological attractions!

by Mamoon Allan

Mamoon Allan

Faculty of Archeology and Tourism, University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
IAPG-Jordan coordinator

email: Mamoon1073@yahoo.com


Disclaimer: the views expressed in this paper solemnly engage the author

Picture above:
Wadi Rum, Southern Jordan, was the backdrop for filming of the 2015 movie "The Martian".

Geotourism (tourism with a geological purpose) has existed since the 1990s. Nowadays, many countries have increased their focus on geotourism, particularly relying on their geotourism attractions. This new trend of tourists’ preferences for geological and geomorphic attractions is related to the diversification and evolution of the tourism demand focusing on the environment, education and entertainment in the first of 21th century with the subsequent emergence of experienced tourists. However, one of the main challenges for geotourism management is counteract the lack of recognized attractiveness of geological sites since the value of the geotourism experience will still not be popular for some tourists. Therefore, the actual status of geotourism in the world needs to work more on already existing homogenous groups of "geotourists" which are sufficiently motivated to experience geotourism and to satisfy their needs in order to make them regular visitors of geosites.

Students Activities at the
Crystal Cave, Western Australia

However, it should be recommended that we should be capable to provide a holistic and an attractive experience for tourists, and to “build” a detailed story about the formation of landscapes in geosites to help the grasping of their importance and for developing a sense of ‘awe’. Geotourism management should enhance the attractiveness of the potential geosite to nature fans people, and increase the public’s knowledge of geotourism destinations. Furthermore, a better understanding of the socio-demographics for these tourists can help those in the tourism industry to enhance the attractiveness of the geological tourism sites by designing appropriate and appealing tourism products and services for this identifiable tourism segment. 

It is acknowledged that the tourists who have a special interest in geotourism activities have common characteristics and interests, such as geological background, nature love, aesthetic sense and landscaping. Thus, this group of tourists (geotourists) have the geological knowledge and sufficient motivation to experience geotourism many times. Another effective tactic to increase the appeal of geotourism products is to "mix" the geological attractions with other significant contexts of the geotouristic destinations. For example, connecting the cultural, historical, archeological, spirtual and recreational contexts with the geological sites. Thus, in some geosites geological handcrafts, geo-lodges, high quality intrpretation processes and a bundle of interesting activities and events are offered. What is interesting in geotourism is that several geosites have been considered as filming locations, such as Wadi Rum in Jordan, Matamata in New Zealand and the mountains of Snowdonia in north Wales.


References

Dowling R. & Newsome D. (2006). Geotourism. Oxford, Elsevier Butterworth-Heinemann.



IAPG - International Association for Promoting Geoethics

http://www.geoethics.org

The issue #1 - 2018 
of the IAPG Newsletter is out!

The issue #1 - 2018 of the Newsletter of the IAPG - International Association for Promoting Geoethics has been released on 15 March 2018.

Summary:

- Programme of the IAPG events at the EGU 2018
- RFG 2018 conference - news
- Calls for abstracts
- And the winners are… !!!
- IAPG report for IUGS on 2017 activities and 2018 plans
- Geoethical Promise - news
- White Paper on responsible Mining - news
- Publications
- Agreements
- National sections
- From the IAPG Blog
- Donations (support the IAPG)

Download the IAPG Newsletter #1 - 2018 at: 
http://www.geoethics.org/newsletter

Kindly, share this post. Thank you.

IAPG - International Association for Promoting Geoethics: 
http://www.geoethics.org

Recently published:

IMPACTS OF PORTS ALONG THE PILBARA COAST, WESTERN AUSTRALIA – A COASTLINE OF GLOBAL GEOHERITAGE SIGNIFICANCE THAT SERVICES A MINERAL-RICH HINTERLAND

by Margaret Brocx and Vic Semeniuk

Citation: Brocx M. and Semeniuk V. (2017). Impacts of Ports along the Pilbara Coast, Western Australia – A Coastline of Global Geoheritage Significance that Services a Mineral-Rich Hinterland, doi: 10.4401/ag-7495. In: Peppoloni S., Di Capua G., Bobrowsky P.T., Cronin V. (eds). Geoethics at the heart of all geosciences. Annals of Geophysics, Vol. 60, Fast Track 7.

Abstract: The Pilbara region in remote north-western Australia is mineral-rich with ores being mined/quarried and exported since the 1960s for the wealth of the Australian Nation and exported from a range of ports developed specifically for such purposes. However, the Pilbara Coast is one of few arid coasts around the World and the most arid coast in Australia - it stands unique as the most geomorphologically / geologically diverse arid coast globally and therefore has global coastal geoheritage significance. Ports along the Coast have been and continue to be developed without, or with little regard to their natural values, with impacts in terms of geoheritage and biological values - the parameters for port selection are based on engineering and economic perspectives of coastal proximity and coastal bathymetry in spite of information available for proper management and wise use of this coastal zone. Consequently, some significant coasts have been destroyed or markedly modified. With the intended growth of the mineral industry, there can be expected further destruction unless government agencies address the geoconservation issues but, in this context, there seems to be both a widespread lack of understanding on the part of government agencies of the geoheritage values of this Coast and a lack of geoethics. This contribution describes the natural heritage significance of the Pilbara Coast, the ports therein, their impacts and, from a geoethics viewpoint, the notion of centralizing ports rather than to indiscriminately construct facilities dictated by economic and port ownership. The Pilbara Coast provides a case study of geoethics where natural history assets of global significance conflict with industrial use.

Free download: http://www.geoethics.org/geoethics-ag2017

IAPG - International Association for Promoting Geoethics:
http://www.geoethics.org

Recently published:

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY:
A NEW CHALLENGE IN GRADUATE UNIVERSITY EDUCATION

by Roberto Lencina

Citation: Lencina R. (2017). Social Responsibility: A New Challenge in Graduate University Education, doi: 10.4401/ag-7559. In: Peppoloni S., Di Capua G., Bobrowsky P.T., Cronin V. (eds). Geoethics at the heart of all geosciences. Annals of Geophysics, Vol. 60, Fast Track 7.

Abstract: The key for including ethics and social responsibility (SR) in the university curricula is the recognition that, in our world, academia has become a relevant place for the production of knowledge and the promotion of values that support the integration of economic, social and environmental aspects, in order to build a better society. universities have become institutions with technical-professional and ethical-social objec-tives, whose purpose is to add value to society and all its stakeholders. At the heart of this assertion there is the conviction that the RS of the university acts as a double bridge: firstly, as a link between ethics and wisdom, then, as a connection between wisdom and commitment to sustainability and social cohesion. The concept of SR, in its broadest sense, is perceived in university classrooms as an understandable abstraction imposed by reality itself. Even though it is not yet a formal subject of academic discussions, the truth is that daily professional practice, and the important social questions that practice raises, impose a new agenda in university curriculum design.

Free download: http://www.geoethics.org/geoethics-ag2017

IAPG - International Association for Promoting Geoethics:
http://www.geoethics.org

Recently published:

ETHICS

by Silvia Peppoloni and Giuseppe Di Capua

Citation: Peppoloni S. and Di Capua G. (2017). Ethics, pp. 1-5, doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-12127-7_115-1. In: Bobrowsky P.T. and Marker B. (eds.), Encyclopedia of Engineering Geology, Encyclopedia of Earth Sciences Series, Springer International Publishing, ISBN: 978-3-319-12127-7.

Definition of Ethics: In line with the concept proposed by Aristotle (384–322 BC), ethics reflects on the conduct of humans and the criteria with which to evaluate behaviors and choices in order to identify “true good” including the means to achieve this goal. It also addresses the moral duties of humans towards themselves and others, and what is the right thing to do when facing a
decision. Regarding the practice of a profession, ethics is the identification of duties and rights that regulate the professional activity (deontology) by members of a social group, who are characterized by the possession of specific technical-scientific knowledge, methods and tools for its application.
There are values that the human community accepts as universally representative of individual and social good, because of the universal character of the human species itself, such as honesty, justice, responsibility, respect for life, and the environment. However, depending on the cultural context, and considering time and place, the ways in which values are applied can change.
In the end, ethics concerns all humans, without distinction, and especially those who have major scientific, political, and social roles, and who certainly have to face issues of great ethical value.

More:
https://link.springer.com/referenceworkentry/10.1007/978-3-319-12127-7_115-1

IAPG - International Association for Promoting Geoethics:
http://www.geoethics.org

Recently published:

THE SOCIAL SENSE OF GEOLOGICAL LITERACY

by Héctor Luis Lacreu

Citation: Lacreu H.L. (2017). The Social Sense of Geological Literacy, doi: 10.4401/ag-7558. In: Peppoloni S., Di Capua G., Bobrowsky P.T., Cronin V. (eds). Geoethics at the heart of all geosciences. Annals of Geophysics, Vol. 60, Fast Track 7.

Abstract: Ways and methodologies to teach geology are widely debated and are frequent topics in geoscientific discussion, whereas there is much less attention to the subject of geological literacy.
It is more and more frequent to hear complaints by university teachers regarding the deficient geological knowledge of incoming university students, and this is especially the case in Argentina's universities. Teachers simply characterize the problem affirming: “the students do not know anything about geology” or “in high school nobody taught them geology”. Additionally, most geologists consider that it is not their problem and consider secondary teachers as uniquely responsible. Nevertheless, the matter is more complicated than this and deserves a different approach for resolution.
In this contribution I table reflections on the need to address the lack of preparation and the scarcity of geological knowledge in terms of geological literacy, rather than in terms of teaching geology..

Free download: http://www.geoethics.org/geoethics-ag2017

IAPG - International Association for Promoting Geoethics:
http://www.geoethics.org