Wednesday, August 29, 2018



Videos for triggering a discussion on geoethics


The IAPG website has a new page under the menu "tool", titled "videos for triggering a discussion" (http://www.geoethics.org/videos) that hosts short videos, kindly provided by our member Johanna Ickert, whose subject is geoscience.

These videos have been designed for different target groups and can encourage the discussion on geoethical aspects of geoscience communication and education.

The language and the images used, the simple explanations, the particular approach that often starts from simple common experiences taken from daily life, aim to bring citizens and society closer to geosciences. They help to demonstrate the potential of geosciences to improve the conditions of human life, to protect the population from hazards, and to push towards more sustainable choices. However, they are not limited to disciplinary knowledge, but show that geoscientific knowledge is often closely interlinked with socio-political, cultural, ecological, and economic questions.

Here below videos available in the new page (Texts provided for each video by Johanna Ickert, Silvia Peppoloni, and Henry Wichura):

The whispering of a mountain (3:28) by Louis Desanois
In this film, a young mineralogist contemplates his field work experiences in an Argentinean mine, where he witnesses several conflicts of interest about the mine's impact on the environment, employment opportunities, land rights, ethical questions etc. Through a personal commentary and deliberately open-ended questions, he critically examines his own role and responsibility as researcher who studies the land and its resources.

The man and the meandering river (4:03) by Marisa Repasch
A practical case explained to the public sector: what is the direct impact in real time on the environment as a result of climate change and how do river-dynamics change the landscape and land properties. Through the eyes of an affected farmer in Argentina, the author highlights the dynamics and complexities of river erosion with respect to landscape evolution.

Rock glacier (2:33) by Julia Drewes
A short and concise video on how climate change influences the dynamics of a rock glacier and what repercussions it has on the freshwater availabilities for the communities that live nearby or in the valleys downstream. In the light of climate change, the raising of awareness in the public sector about this essential resource is crucial: water.

Listening to Earthquakes (2:27) by Martin Zeckra
This video explains the concept and models of a shaking surface, also known as earthquakes, in a very easy-to-grasp language. It answers questions such as: Where do they come? How can we detect them? And how do they sound like?

Wonderful Earth (1:44) by Ahmad Arnous
The Earth is a marvellous planet, full of beauty, spectacular landscapes, but also danger and vulnerabilities. This video shows the phenomena of the Earth surface and its interior and mirrors the deep fascination and curiosity of a young geoscientist being involved in the systematics of Earth processes.

The real villain (1:26) by Gino de Gelder
Greece and Turkey have always been strangely in conflict for historical reasons. But let's take a look at the geology that characterises both their areas: who is the real villain? A common geological destiny unites them.

Why geosciences? (1:25) by Ershad Gholamrezaie
Do geologists only understand dinosaurs and rocks? No, geologists, with their skills and knowledge, are fully involved in exploring the most important global challenges: climate change, natural hazards (like floods, earthquakes, volcanoes, storms), oil exploration, mining, and sustainability. Geosciences serve to understand how the Earth works: that's why they are necessary. This is a video to overcome clichés and prejudices about geologists and geology and to bring the public closer to geosciences.

What would you do in case of an earthquake? (1:44) by Görkem Sivri
How to emphasize the importance of preventive actions to defend the population against earthquakes? This video starts by making a comparison with a citizen having a heart attack, or suffering from a broken arm - all "normal" circumstances or in the case of an earthquake. Normal actions – asking a relative for help, calling a taxi, or driving to the hospital – are impossible if an earthquake happens: the phone doesn't work, there aren't taxis, roads are blocked, you are isolated. So what do you do? Is there a way out? Yes: let's prepare in advance, let's learn about the possible preventive actions that can make the difference. They can even save your life.

The world doesn't work under laboratory conditions (1:30) by Christopher Bernd
Models may not coincide with the reality of natural phenomena. The uncertainty factor is always present. It is important to transfer to the public the meaning of uncertainty in science. The value of science exists only if we are aware of its limits.

The North Anatolian Fault (3:57) by Johanna Ickert
Istanbul is located in one of the highest seismic hazard area in the world, due to its proximity to the North Anatolian Fault. This short animated film portraits Olcay, an early career geoscientist, who developed a passion for earthquake science and its communication to the public. Through her personal experience she discovers why her city is so vulnerable to earthquakes, the importance of building respecting anti-seismic criteria and the consequences of unpreparedness to face seismic events by citizens.

Look at videos: http://www.geoethics.org/videos


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

Monday, August 27, 2018



A sad news 


It is with great sadness that we inform that our prominent member Prof. Partha Sarathi Datta (IAPG-India), Independent Consultant on Water & Environment and Former Project Director at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, passed away on 13 August 2018.

Prof. Datta actively contributed for years to develop IAPG activities. He gave always his availability to put his experience at disposal of IAPG colleagues, helping us also for simple tasks and activities like the translation in Hindi language of IAPG documents, demonstrating his great desire to spread geoethics within India geoscience community. Recently, he was coooperating for the organization of the International Congress "Geoethics & Groundwater Management: Theory and Practice for a Sustainable Development" that will be held in Porto in October 2019.
A special memory of his figure will find space in this Congress, highlighting his valuable suggestions and contributions for the success of this event.


Professor Datta will miss us.

Here below his biography from https://www.omicsonline.org/editor-profile/Partha_Sarathi/


Short biography
Post-Graduate & Doctorate (Groundwater Recharge Estimation in Ganges Basin), Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur. Received UNESCO/UNEP Training on ‘Groundwater Protection from Pollution & Depletion’, Geohydrological Research Institutes, USSR. Long-standing recognized expert, adviser & consultant (Hydrology) to national/international agencies (IAEA, Vienna; Fluorosis Research & Rural Development Foundation; Centre for Science & Environment, Delhi) & NGOs. Undertaken innovative pioneering research & outreach field Initiatives and Assessed Groundwater Recharge & Pollution in River basins; Influent/effluent seepage & Recharge Potential under river flood plains; Paleo-Climate & Climate forcing, Land use & Environmental impacts on Hydrological regime; Crops WUE; Multi-sector Water Consumptive use & demands; Delineated aquifer recharge zones. Evaluated National & International laws/policies, and Developed Policy Guidelines on Resiliency planning for Groundwater protection; Water quality standards; Water & environment conservation; Water governance, harvesting & supply options; Adaptation strategies for Drought avoidance and Sustainable development. As Director, Nuclear Research Laboratory (established under the aegis of UNDP/SIDA/FAO/IAEA); Actg Director & Actg Jt. Director (Res), IARI, Delhi, Conceptualized, Supervised, Administered, Planned, Coordinated, Managed & Promoted inter-disciplinary vision, goals, priorities & opportunities for R&D Activities in Hydro- & Bio- Sphere; Established Infrastructure & Instrumental Facilities for Research, Education & Training needs; As PG Faculty, taught Environment/Climate Sciences, Hydrology, Impact Assessment. As Member Secretary In-Charge, Indian National Committee on Hydrology for IHP/ARCCOH (UNESCO), Min. of Water Resources, Planned, Coordinated, Facilitated & Aided regional level inter-organization & inter-country collaboration of R&D activities, Education & Training needs.

In the pictures:
Prof. Partha Sarathi Datta during the IAPG session on Geoethics at the XII IAEG Congress in Torino (Italy), in September 2014


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

Saturday, August 25, 2018



NGC1 - First Nigeria Geoethics Conference 


IAPG-Nigeria organizes the First Nigeria Geoethics Conference (NGC1), that will be held in Port Harcourt, River State University Auditorium - Faculty of Law, on 18 and 19 October 2018.
The conference is entitled "Integrating Geoethics into the Extractive Industry Governance". 
List of contributions:

- Making Geoethics a central issue in conduct of geoscientist, by Prof. Uriah Lar (Professor of Geology, University of Jos)

- Ethical consideration in developing young geoscientist & defining avenues for geosciences in Nigeria, by Ass. Prof. Timothy Bata (Head of Department of Geology, ATBU Bauchi)

- Geoethics: Approach and concepts in geoscience education, by Prof. Charles Ofoegbu (Institute of Geoscience & Earth Resources, Nasarawa State University Keffi)

- Geoethics: Georisk management for a safer and more resilient society, by Dr. Hycienth Nwankwoala (Senior Lecturer at the Department of Geology, University of Port Harcourt)

- Geoethics: Environmental and social responsibility, by Mr. Fyneface Dumnamene (Youth and Environmental Advocacy Centre, Port-Harcourt).


Download the poster (pdf file):
http://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/5195a5_440143282dd44710ac950d09abdf0ba1.pdf


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

Thursday, August 23, 2018



International Association of Geomorphologists - IAG/AIG​ 
officially supports the "Cape Town Statement on Geoethics" 


IAG/AIG - International Association of Geomorphologists officially supports the "Cape Town Statement on Geoethics" (http://www.geoethics.org/ctsg).

IAPG wishes to thank Mauro Soldati, IAG/AIG President, and the colleagues of the IAG/AIG Executive Committee for the decision taken in August 2018.

Currently 20 geoscience organizations support the Cape Town Statement on Geoethics:
  1. International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS)
  2. International Association of Geomorphologists (IAG/AIG)
  3. European Federation of Geologists (EFG)
  4. American Geophysical Union (AGU)
  5. American Geosciences Institute (AGI)
  6. Geological Society of America (GSA)
  7. EuroGeoSurveys (EGS)
  8. International Association for Engineering Geology and the Environment (IAEG)
  9. International Association of Hydorgeologists (IAH)
  10. International Geoscience Education Organisation (IGEO)
  11. African Association of Women in Geosciences (AAWG)
  12. Young Earth Scientists Network (YES Network)
  13. International Association for Geoscience Diversity (IAGD)
  14. Geology in the Public Interest (GPI)
  15. Italian Geological Society (SGI)
  16. Geological Society of Peru (SGP)
  17. Instituto Geológico, Minero y Metalúrgico, Peru (INGEMMET)
  18. Geology for Global Development (GfGD)
  19. South Asian Association of Women Geoscientists (SAAWG)
  20. African Network for Geo-Education (ANGE)
The Cape Town Statement on Geoethics can be cited as follows:

Di Capua G., Peppoloni S. and Bobrowsky P.T. (2017). The Cape Town Statement on Geoethics. Annals of Geophysics, Vol. 60, Fast Track 7, doi: 10.4401/ag-7553:
https://www.annalsofgeophysics.eu/index.php/annals/article/view/7553


The Cape Town Statement on Geoethics is available in 35 languages:

Afrikaans, Albanian, Arabic, Armenian, Belarusian, Bengali, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, French, Georgian, German, Greek, Hindi, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin Chinese, Nepali, Norwegian, Persian, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Sepedi, Serbian, Slovenian, Spanish, Swahili, Tamil, Turkish, Ukrainian, Urdu.

The IAPG pubblication that collects the Cape Town Statement in 35 languagues is for free download, and can be cited as follows:

Peppoloni Silvia (ed.) (2018). Spreading geoethics through the languages of the world. Translations of the Cape Town Statement on Geoethics. International Association for Promoting Geoethics (IAPG), http://www.geoethics.org/ctsg: http://fliphtml5.com/gqru/ttwl


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

Sunday, August 12, 2018


Geoscience Community Information Services and Resources Detailed Survey


Dear Colleagues,

The American Geosciences Institute (AGI) has asked us to disseminate a more detailed, 15-minute survey about where the community finds reliable sources of geoscientific information and how these assets are accessed.
This study will help improve the communities’ access to reliable information services.

Please share your experiences by participating in AGI’s 20-question survey, which can be found at http://bit.ly/GeoInfoServicesDetailed.

The survey deadline is Friday, August 24th, 2018. If you have any questions about the study, please contact AGI’s Workforce Development Specialist Heather Houlton at hrh@americangeosciences.org.

We appreciate your willingness to participate.

Sincerely,
Giuseppe Di Capua


IAPG is recognized as an International Associate Organization of the American Geosciences Institute - AGI from 2014.

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

Monday, August 6, 2018


The Geoethical Promise in the ceremony of the geological master degree in geology at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia (Italy)


As announced by Silvia Peppoloni (IAPG Secretary General) at the 72nd IUGS EC meeting in Potsdam (Germany) on 22-26 January 2018, the "Geoethical Promise" (http://www.geoethics.org/geopromise) has been included as official declaration during the ceremony for the geological master degree in the Italian Universities, thanks to the cooperation of the IAPG-Italy and the Italian Geological Society.

On 19 July 2018, the "Geoethical Promise" (the parchment is below) was read at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia (UNIMORE) during the cerimony of the master degree in geology (video below, in Italian).

This was a memorable event! We hope the "Geoethical Promise" will be adopted in many Universities all over the world!

We remind you that the "Geoethical Promise" (avalilable in 35 languages: http://fliphtml5.com/gqru/ttwl) is included in the "Cape Town Statement on Geoethics" (http://www.geoethics.org/ctsg), supported by 19 geoscience organizations.

Silvia Peppoloni said that "... Who in these years has worked hard with me to achieve this result can understand the emotion that I have felt looking at these images, and also the joy and the awareness of having left a mark in the history of geosciences. ​I can only thank all those who have helped me, and in particular Prof. Sandra Piacente and Prof. Elisabetta Erba, not by chance two women: their sensitivity and support have made possible the officialization of this symbolic act, full of meaning for those like me who believe in the ethical and social value of our profession as geologists, in the cultural and educational power of our beloved geo-disciplines ...".




The parchment of the Italian version of the Geoethical Promise


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