Friday, April 30, 2021


10 years of sessions on geoethics at the EGU General Assembly: watch the video


This year we have celebrated 10 years of sessions on geoethics organized by the IAPG - International Association for Promoting Geoethics at the General Assembly of the European Geosciences Union (EGU).

The list of all sessions can be found here: 

Here the video of the introduction to the session EOS4.2 by Silvia Peppoloni (IAPG Secretary General) with a short description about the contribution of the IAPG to the last ten editions of the EGU General Assembly (watch the video in the IAPG YouTube channel):





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IAPG - International Association for Promoting Geoethics

Thursday, April 29, 2021


The Ethics of Deep Sea Mining

by David Ovadia*

David Ovadia is an IAPG member, former coordinator of IAPG-UK.

Picture source: MIT Mechanical Engineering


David Ovadia
I am reading a lot in the media at the moment about marine mining [1], generally not in its favour and I am left wondering about the geoethics of this growing area of interest. It is fairly safe to say that most people are not enamoured with any sort of mining, especially if it is near their back yard (the so-called NIMBY view), although those same people continue to consume in ever greater quantities the products from mines. So it might be logical to suggest that if mining is moved to the deep ocean, a long way from any human’s back yard, this would be welcomed and by association the geoscientists who are part of the mining industry could be thought to be acting more ethically. It seems not to be the case.

The issues are well summarised in a web site published by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) [2], which reminds us that deep sea mining is not a new concept. In the 1960s the prospect of deep sea mining was brought up by Mero [3]. His book claimed that nearly limitless supplies of cobalt, nickel and other metals could be found throughout the planet's oceans. Various forms of resource extraction from on or under the sea bed have been carried out for many years, principally for offshore (sea bed) hydrocarbons but also in pursuit of diamonds offshore Namibia and, more controversially and less successfully, gold from offshore Papua New Guinea [4], amongst other examples.

The new interest is in utilising the mineral rich nodules that exist in some of the deepest parts of the ocean, and it differs in several ways from existing or historical offshore extractions, principally in that the proposed resource recovery would not be taking place in any nation’s territorial waters and therefore neither of direct interest or benefit to a single producing country, nor easily regulated by that nation. As with any loosely controlled activity, there might be little regard for consequential or collateral damage and the long, hard won gains that now mitigate the negatives of most conventional mining would not necessarily be applied. Put another way, the geoscientists involved could find themselves being put under commercial pressure to forego their usual ethical considerations.

On the other hand, as geologists are so fond of saying, the minerals recovered may, amongst other things, contribute to a more rapid and widespread use of electric vehicles to replace polluting petrol engines, which seems to be an ethically good thing to do.

This very short blog is not intended to provide any answers but merely to raise the question as to what position should an organisation such as the IAPG take on deep sea mining and, perhaps, to stimulate a discussion on this subject. There is probably no simple or short answer.

Notes:



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Wednesday, April 28, 2021


New book sets out how geoscience can help us to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals


The role of geoscience in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals is the subject of a new book, with contributions from 42 authors across six continents – including Silvia Peppoloni (IAPG Secretary General), Ezzoura Errami (IAPG Continental Coordinator, Africa), Nic Bilham (IAPG Continental Coordinator, Europe) and 
Ranjan Kumar Dahal (IAPG-Nepal co-coordinator).

In 2015, global leaders came together at the United Nations to agree 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), providing a blueprint to create a better and more sustainable world for all with a vision of ‘a world free of poverty, hunger, disease and want, where all life can thrive’. The ambition, scope, and transformational potential of this vision demands our attention, and our action.

Geosciences and the Sustainable Development Goals, published by Springer-Nature, explores how geoscientists’ understanding of the natural environment is essential to achieving this vision. The book was edited by Joel C. Gill and Martin Smith, and delivered as a collaborative product of the British Geological Survey and Geology for Global Development.

The book takes readers through 17 chapters, each exploring how geoscience contributes to the 17 SDGs through the diverse perspectives and examples of the global authors. It discusses a range of themes from ethics, to equity, conduct, and partnerships, as well as exploring many varied aspects of geoscience such as water, energy, minerals, engineering geology and geological hazards.

Joel Gill
Joel Gill – Lead Editor and IAPG member said: "We wrote this book to demonstrate how geoscientists can support sustainable growth and decent jobs, resilient cities and infrastructure, access to basic services, food and water security, and effective environmental management. This book is both a call-to-action and a reminder that ensuring lasting, positive change depends on how we work and our commitments to geoethics, equitable partnerships, professional integrity, and ensuring safe, diverse, and inclusive environments."

The book can be accessed from the Springer-Nature website. Geology for Global Development will be working to help geoscience institutions and development agencies in the Global South access the book.

Further Resources



Higher Education Learning Resources - Geosciences and the SDGs: Higher Education Learning Resources — Geology for Global Development (gfgd.org)


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Saturday, April 24, 2021


The issue n. 1 - 2021 
of the IAPGeoethics Newsletter is out!


The issue n. 1 - 2021 of the Newsletter of the IAPG - International Association for Promoting Geoethics was released on 23 April 2021.

Summary:
  • Geoethics at the vEGU21 (26 and 29 April 2021)
  • New book on geoethics and groundwater management
  • New book on geoethics (in Italian)
  • Special Issue of the journal Sustainability (Call for papers): "New Advances on Geoethics and Sustainable Development" and two papers published in the special issue
  • New discount for the eLearning Course "Practical Geocommunication"
  • Workshop on Geodiversity
  • Video Lecture on "Geoethics: Integrity and Ethics in Science in Higher Education"
  • IAPG signed an agreement for cooperation with JMO, Turkey
  • IAPG-Canada has a new coordinator
  • IAPG-Iran has a new co-coordinator
  • Past events on geoethics
  • From the IAPG Blog: Process, Procedures, and Proposals: Establishing a UNESCO International Geodiversity Day
  • From the IAPG Blog: Rediscovering the sense of the human in a chaos of "ceneisms"
  • From the IAPG Blog: Geology, Climate Change and New Policy for our Territories benefit
  • From the IAPG Blog: eGeos: Bringing Our Talents to the Emerging Energy Economy
  • From the IAPG Blog: Nuclear weapons banned from today: welcome to the era of responsibility (but also of uncertainty)
  • The IAPG celebrated the Earth Day 2021
  • Donations

We invite you to share this post and/or forward the IAPGeoethics Newsletter n. 1 - 2021 to your colleaguesThank you!

IAPG Newsletter archive: 
https://www.geoethics.org/newsletter

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

Friday, April 23, 2021


IAPG-Iran has a new coordinator


Parviz Armani is the new coordinator of IAPG-Iran. He replaces Nima Nezafati.

Parviz Armani (IAPG-Iran)
Parviz Armani (formerly Ghazanfari) completed his primary and secondary education in schools in Tehran (Iran). 

He received his bachelor's degree in geology from the University of Tabriz. After that, he worked for more than eight years in the Ministry of Jihad Sazandegi in Tehran (Water Resources Engineering Services company and Water Resources Engineering Services Company) as an expert, project manager, manager of geology department and the manager of planning and training. He received his master's degree in sedimentology and sediment rocks from Kharazmi University in Tehran. The subject of his thesis was sedimentology of Mozduran oil reservoir rock in northeastern Iran. 

He joined the Department of Geology of Tabriz University in 1993. After six years of teaching and research, he received a scholarship from the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology of Iran to continue his doctoral studies at Delhi University in India. After receiving his PhD in sedimentology and sedimentary geochemistry, he returned to Iran and worked at the University of Tabriz. 

At the request of the Geology Department of Imam Khomeini International University, he started his cooperation with this university as a visiting professor. He joined the Imam Khomeini International University in 2008 and was the Head of the Geology Department for four years in this University.

Congratulations Parviz from the IAPG geoethics community!!!

We take the opportunity to thank Nima Nezafati, who chaired this section from July 2019.

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

Process, Procedures, and Proposals:
Establishing a UNESCO International Geodiversity Day

by Jack Matthews*


Jack J. Matthews is an Honorary Associate at the Oxford University Museum of Natural History. His work to support International Geodiversity Day is funded by Research England, through the Strategic Priorities Fund allocation to the University of Oxford.


Jack Matthews
Good news for abiotic nature: it now seems highly likely that an International Geodiversity Day will be established by UNESCO. Geodiversity is the variety of the non-living parts of nature, including rocks and soils, and has long been overlooked in the role it plays in our lives, society, and the environment as a whole. This Day will help promote global education and awareness in geodiversity and the geosciences. The journey began a year ago at the Oxford Geoheritage Virtual Conference in May 2020, where a number of delegates came together to begin the campaign to establish the Day – led by Profs Brilha, Gray, Zwolinski, and myself.
The process began by soliciting the support of more than 100 national and international geoscience and conservation organisations. This built a strong foundation on which we could approach UNESCO to investigate driving the proposal forward. The magnitude and geographic diversity of the supporting organisations was a key reason the proposal has advanced, and has been mentioned by decision-makers at each stage. We are therefore truly grateful to all those who have helped support this proposal along the way. 
Throughout late 2020 and early 2021 we began to draft what is called an Explanatory Note, which outlines the thinking behind a draft decision to be taken by the UNESCO Executive Board. Support also needed to be found from UNESCO Member States themselves as someone needed to formally propose the idea. We are indebted to the Governments of Portugal and the United Kingdom for being early supporters of International Geodiversity Day, and for using your diplomatic skill to bring the proposal to a point where it was eventually co-sponsored by more than 70 countries. As more countries joined the proposal, the text evolved: one Member State was keen to ensure the issue of geohazard awareness was made more prominent, which we happily amended for them.
With the International Geodiversity Day proposal being a totally new concept to UNESCO, it was sent to the Preparatory Group of the Executive Board in March. The response of Member States was resoundingly positive; so much so that it was recommended for acceptance at the Executive Board itself.

The UNESCO Executive Board met in April of 2021, holding their meeting online because of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. The Board opens with several days of plenary debate where Member States make 5-6 minute speeches on topics important to them, often highlighting how their country has been contributing to UNESCO’s work, or noting a critical issue that should be focused on. It was heartwarming to see so many use their short time to comment of the importance of geodiversity, and mention their support for the upcoming proposal.

The first formal hearing of the proposal within the Executive Board was several days later at what is called the Programme and External Relations Commission – a kind of sub-committee of the Board. Several Member States spoke of their support for the proposal, as did the UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Natural Sciences, Shamila Nair-Bedouelle. Unusually a video was allowed to be played, narrated by Prof Iain Stewart, which outlined the importance of geodiversity: https://youtu.be/LtFzkDMsYtI

With the support of the Commission, where the majority of the debate and discussion at the Executive Board occurs, the proposal advanced to its final stage within this body. Each Commission sends a set of ‘Draft Decisions’ to the final Plenary Meeting. On Wednesday 21st April 2021 the Executive Board formally adopted this draft decision, and has therefore endorsed establishing an International Geodiversity Day. 
The decision, as well as calling upon the UNESCO Director-General to promote the day, also adds the proposal to the agenda for the 41st session of the UNESCO General Conference. As the sovereign body within UNESCO, it is here where the final decision will be made – though it seems unlikely to be rejected now having been endorsed by the Executive Board and so many Member States. With the next General Conference being in November 2021, we therefore expect the first International Geodiversity Day to be on October 6th, 2022. Get planning, and join the international celebration! 
You can find out more at: https://www.geodiversityday.org/


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Thursday, April 22, 2021


International Association for Promoting Geoethics (IAPG) celebrates the 
Earth Day 2021!

(22 April 2021) 


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IAPG - International Association for Promoting Geoethics

Tuesday, April 20, 2021


Short Course on Geoethics at the vEGU21

(29 April 2021, 10:00-11:00 CEST) 


We are glad to inform that this year the School of Geoethics of the IAPG has organized a short course on geoethics at the vEGU21, entitled "Foundations and Perspectives of Geoethics for Earth, Marine and Atmospheric Sciences - In memoriam of Jan Boon."

This is the programme (speaker in bold, among brackets):

0. Forewords to Honour Jan Boon (Giuseppe Di Capua)
1. Theoretical foundations of Geoethics (Silvia Peppoloni)
2. Responsible conduct of research and professionalism (David Mogk)
3. Development Perspectives for Geoethical Thoughts? (Martin Bohle)
4. Education for Confronting (geo)ethical dilemmas (Eduardo Marone)
5. Geoethics and responsible mining (Nic Bilham)
6. Geoethics in natural hazards from the perspective of an engineering geologist (Vince Cronin)
7. Geoethics' case studies: Paleontology and Geoheritage (Daniel DeMiguel)
8. Geoethics' case studies: effects of the EU directive on conflict minerals (Vítor Correia)

The short course is sponsored by IOI-TC-LAC - International Ocean Institute Training Centre for Latin America and the Caribbean  (https://www.ioitclac.org/)


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Thursday, April 15, 2021


Geoethics at the PGO 2021 Virtual Symposium

(22 April 2021, 10:00-12:30 ET) 


Giuseppe Di Capua
Giuseppe Di Capua (IAPG Treasurer) will give an invited speech entitled "Geoethics in Natural Hazard and Risk Management" at the 2021 Virtual Symposium of the PGO - Professional Geoscientists Ontario on 22 April 2021 (10:00-12:30 ET).

Giuseppe's speech is included in the Panel Session B "Risky Business: A Changing Paradigm of Managing Risks in a Changing World".

Paul Hubley (PGO President and IAPG-Canada coordinator) is co-chair of the Panel Session B.

More information and registration:
https://www.pgo.ca/events/2021-annual-symposium/PanelB


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Wednesday, April 14, 2021


Webinar co-organized by IAPG-Chile
"Geoética y Educación: Divulgación de las Geociencias en Chile"
(in Spanish)

(19 April 2021, 18:30-20:00 GMT-4) 


Estimada comunidad geocientista,

Hace varios años hemos trabajado en la divulgación de las geociencias en los diversos ámbitos  de la sociedad chilena en que estamos insertas e insertos. Hoy en día se hace necesaria una conversación sobre cómo llevar este quehacer a un nivel más organizado y coordinado tal de tener un mayor impacto, reconociendo oportunidades y considerando limitaciones.

En este contexto y en el marco del Día Internacional de la Tierra, las y los invitamos a participar de este conversatorio donde compartiremos y reflexionaremos sobre las experiencias y visiones de la divulgación de la geociencias en Chile y del rol que tenemos los geocientistas para educar y compartir nuestro conocimiento con la sociedad en general. Para ello hemos invitado a un panel de exponentes representantes de las macro-zonas norte, centro y sur de nuestro país para abrir el diálogo.

El conversatorio estará abierto a toda la comunidad geocientista y se realizará de manera virtual vía Zoom. Adjunto encontrarán el afiche de difusión.

Lunes 19 de abril de 2021, 18:30-20:00 hrs
Reunión Zoom, ID: 890 4090 8908, código de acceso: 530991
https://bit.ly/2QlnTpr

Las y los esperamos (el evento no necesita preinscripción).

Atentamente,

Grupo Geoética Chile y Grupo de Educación (IAPG-Chile)
Sociedad Geológica de Chile


Download the poster of the webinar (pdf file)

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Friday, April 9, 2021


The programme of the
Workshop on Geodiversity
is out!

(16 April 2021, 14:00 BST) 


Final programme: download here (pdf file)



The IAPG - International Association for Promoting Geoethics is a supporting organization of this event.







Read more about the Promoting Geodiversity Workshop:

Registration:

International Geodiversity Day website:


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Thursday, April 8, 2021


The programme of the session EOS4.2 on Geoethics at the vEGU21: Gather Online

(26 April 2021 - 09:00-10:30 CEST)


Even this year, the IAPG organizes the session on geoethics at the European Geosciences Union - General Assembly. This event will be held online.

This year we celebrate 10 years of sessions on geoethics organized by the IAPG at the EGU congress!

The Session EOS4.2: Geoethics: Geosciences serving Society (Conveners: Silvia Peppoloni and Giuseppe Di Capua) is scheduled on 26 April 2021 - 09:00-10:30 CEST.

Here below the programme of this session that will take place as vPico format (abstracts and materials about each presentation will be uploaded in the EGU website during the the next days):

09:00–09:05
5-minute convener introduction

09:05–09:07
EGU21-2411 - Geoethics in a scheme: a simplified way to represent its definition, vision, and theoretical structure 
(Silvia Peppoloni and Giuseppe Di Capua)

09:07–09:09
EGU21-604 - Geoethics, a Philosophical Hybrid of European Origin  
(Martin Bohle)

09:09–09:11
EGU21-16180 - De complexitate mundi – What a complexful world
(Umberto Fracassi)

09:11–09:13
EGU21-3079 - Geoethics: Recent Art Projects by Ying Kit Chan  
(Ying Kit Chan)

09:13–09:18
EGU21-13709 - Applied geoethics: CITI199’s essays from the Austral University of Chile  
(Sandor Mulsow, Beatriz Barrales, Nicolas Espinoza, Magdalena Flandez, Leandro Ledezma, Esteban Munzenmayer, Adriana Rivera-Murton, Pablo Salinas, Fernando Valenzuela, Rodolfo Valenzuela, and Marco Valle)

09:18–09:20
EGU21-5782 - Teaching and learning about ethical aspects of environmental science with graduate students  
(Cindy Palinkas)

09:20–09:22
EGU21-1763 - Geoethics education and climate literacy: Bridging the gap – interactively  
(David Crookall, Pimnutcha Promduangsri, and Pariphat Promduangsri)

09:22–09:24
EGU21-6285 - Values in (climate) science: What model-based assessments of climate sensitivity teach us about value-judgements and demands on norms thereon
(Sabine Undorf, Karoliina Pulkkinen, Frida Bender, and Per Wikman Svahn)

09:24–09:26
EGU21-16538 - Evaluation of Safety and Effectiveness of Localized Arctic Ice Albedo Restoration Method to Slow Climate Change Impacts  
(Leslie Field)

09:26–09:28
EGU21-8597 - Co-production of knowledge: towards a co-design of geothermal heat utilization  
(Eva Schill, Florian Bauer, Katharina Schätzler, Christine Rösch, Melanie Mbah, Christina Benighaus, Sophie Kuppler, and Judith Krohn)

09:28–09:30
EGU21-10403 - Responsible production and consumption of mineral resources: mobilising geoethics as a framework for mining companies, manufacturers and other stakeholders  
(Nic Bilham)

09:30–09:32
EGU21-5413 - Geoethics needs multi-dimensional research agendas and practice
(Cornelia E. Nauen)

09:32–09:34
EGU21-6311 - Earthquake loss alerts to save victims
(Max Wyss, Philippe Rosset, Stavros Tolis, and Michel Speiser)

09:34–09:36
EGU21-12746 - Detection of land subsidence phenomena in Kopais plain, Boeotia county, central Greece. Preliminary results  
(Elissavet Chatzicharalampous, Constantinos Loupasakis, Theodora Rondoyanni, and Issaak Parcharidis)

09:36–09:38
EGU21-8269 - Virtual outcrops: Field work on lockdown conditions using Drones
(Fernando Borrás, Joaquín Hopfenblatt, Adelina Geyer, and Meritxell Aulinas)

09:38–09:40
EGU21-14287 - Geological Hazards Focused Geopark Proposal, Armenia  
(Khachatur Meliksetian, Ara Avagyan, Lilit Sahakyan, Ghazar Galoyan, Hayk Melik-Adamyan, Arshavir Hovhanissyan, Arayik Grigoryan, Taron Grigoryan, Dmitry Arakelyan, Hrach Shahinyan, Kristina Sahakyan, Hayk Hovakimyan, Tatul Atalyan, Edmond Grigoryan, Marine Misakyan, and Seda Avagyan)

09:40–09:42
EGU21-575 - Applying the Values of Geoethics for Sustainable Speleotourism Development  
(Aleksandar Antić, Giuseppe Di Capua, and Silvia Peppoloni)

09:42–09:44
EGU21-5794 - AGI's Framework on Addressing Equity in the Geoscience Societies and the Challenge of Defining Success
(Christopher Keane, Susan Sullivan, and Leila Gonzales)

09:44–09:46
EGU21-6988 - The Global Network for Geoscience and Society: Connecting Science to Serve the Public Good
(Gregory Wessel and Rose Hendricks)

09:46–09:48
EGU21-2347 - The activities of the IAPG - International Association for Promoting Geoethics: status and future perspectives  
(Giuseppe Di Capua and Silvia Peppoloni)

09:48–10:30
Meet the authors in their breakout text chats

This session in the EGU website:


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Friday, April 2, 2021


New book:
Advances in Geoethics 
and Groundwater Management


We are glad to inform that a new book has been published in these days:

Abrunhosa Manuel, Chambel Antonio, Peppoloni Silvia, Chaminé Helder I., eds. (2021). Advances in Geoethics and Groundwater Management: theory and practice for a sustainable development - Proceedings of the 1st Congress on Geoethics and Groundwater Management (GEOETH&GWM'20), Porto - Portugal 2020. XLV + 523 p., 24 b/w illustrations, 180 illustrations in colour, Springer, ISBN 978-3-030-59319-3. doi:10.1007/978-3-030-59320-9.

This book gathers the peer-reviewed proceedings of the 1st congress on Geoethics & Groundwater Management (GEOETH&GWM'20), held in Porto, Portugal, in an online format on 18-22 May 2020. Hosted in the School of Engineering (ISEP), Polytechnic of Porto in Porto city (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), the international conference focused on what has now been dubbed "hydrogeoethics", a novel transdisciplinary, scientific field integrating all dimensions of geoethics in groundwater science and practice.

Download the flyer:

Download the book Front Matter:
containing:
- Foreword by Giuseppe Di Capua (IAPG)
- Foreword by Nabil Khélifi (Springer Senior Publishing Editor)
- Preface by Manuel Abrunhosa (IAPG and IAH), Antonio Chambel (IAH), Silvia Peppoloni, Helder I. Chaminé (IAH)
- Acknowledgements
- Preamble by John Cherry (G360 Institute for Groundwater Research, University of Guelph, University of Waterloo)
- Contents (108 papers)
- About the Editors
 
This book in the Springerlink website:


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