Inhalt: | This Special Publication will be an important tool for geoscientists, aimed at increasing the awareness of their societal role and responsibility in conducting education, research and practice activities. What are the responsibilities of a geoscientist ? And what motivations are needed to push geoscientists to practice the Earth sciences in an ethical way? The major environmental challenges affecting human communities require not only a strictly scientific and technical preparation by the geoscientists, but also a reflection on their broader obligations towards society. It is important that geoscientists consider geoethics as an indispensable framework on which to base their training and activity. The principles of geoethics can guide them to pursue the common good by weighing the benefits and costs of each choice, and identifying eco-friendly and society-friendly solutions that guarantee the respect of the right balance between human life and the dynamics of the Earth. Communication and dissemination of geosciences should become core activities in building a knowledge-based society, which is able better to protect itself and the Earth ecosystems in order to guarantee a life in harmony with our planet for future generations.-- Ethics in geosciences. Simple geoethics : an essay on daily Earth science -- A geoethical approach to industrial development of georesources and groundwater use : the Indian experience -- Ethics to protect groundwater from depletion in India -- Geotourism : an opportunity to enhance geoethics and boost geoheritage appreciation -- The development of solar salt ponds along the Pilbara Coast, Western Australia : a coastline of global geoheritage significance used for industrial purposes -- Geoethics and natural risks. The L'Aquila trial -- Cooperation, coordination and team issues in disaster management : the need for a holistic and integrated approach -- Urban land use and geohazards in Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh, India : the need for geotechnical intervention and geoethical policies in urban disaster resilience programmes in a changing climate -- The seismic risk perception questionnaire -- Quantitative parameter of risk perception : can we measure a geoethic and socio-economic component in disaster vulnerability? -- Geoethics and seismic risk perception : the case of the Pollino area, Calabria, southern Italy and comparison with communities of the past -- Earthquake ethics through scientific knowledge, historical memory and societal awareness : the experience of direct Internet information -- Geoethics and the communication of science. Communicating uncertainty : managing the inherent probabilistic character of hazard estimates -- How to strengthen public trust in geosciences -- Communicating natural hazards : marine extreme events and the importance of variability and forecast errors -- The oil and gas industry : the challenge for proper dissemination of knowledge -- Geoethics and geoeducation. From planet Earth to society : a new dynamic in Portugal concerning geoscience education and outreach activities -- Natural hazards and geological heritage in Earth science education projects -- Science and scientists from a child's point of view : an overview from drawings -- Natural hazards revealed to children : the other side of prevention |
