Geoethics and Global Anthropogenic Change: Geoscience for Policy, Action and Education in Addressing the Climate and Ecological Crises

Co-organized by ERE1/GM11/OS5/SSS12, co-sponsored by IAPG

Convener: Silvia Peppoloni | Co-conveners: David Crookall, Elodie DuyckECSECS, Giuseppe Di Capua, Paolo ColomboECSECS, Svitlana Krakovska, Agata Sangianantoni

Geoethics is essential for addressing global crises such as climate change, ecological degradation, and resource overexploitation. The integration of ethical principles at the heart of geoscience allows us to make more sustainable, equitable, and informed decisions.
Geoscientists play a key role in providing accurate and unbiased data to policymakers, and in helping to ensure that decisions reflect the full range of environmental, social, and economic impacts. Their responsibility however extends beyond the sole providing of information: They can actively engage with policymakers and the public to tackle critical challenges, including climate change, ocean degradation, biodiversity loss, pollution and the conflicts driven by fossil fuel dependency.
Despite increasing advocacy for transformative solutions, global efforts remain insufficient to address the climate and ecological crises. As global warming nears the 1.5°C threshold (WMO), the primary obstacle to climate action is not as much a lack of awareness, than resistance and denial from powerful vested interests. In the meantime, many institutions, including universities and research centres, tend to reinforce the status quo instead of driving necessary change.
In such a scenario, what role can geoscientists assume in order to facilitate urgent transformations?
Geoethics provides a crucial framework for guiding geoscientific practices toward responsible, scientifically-sound and sustainable actions.
Through geo-education, effective communication, and the integration of ethical perspectives, geoscientists can build trust, enhance transparency, and engage communities. They can empower citizens with knowledge about the complexities of climate and ocean change, which is essential for fostering collective action and meaningful progress. Some geoscientists decide to engage in collective action themselves, for instance by pressuring research institutes to reduce their environmental impact, or by using civil disobedience to denounce harmful projects and actors.
By cultivating a culture of ethical responsibility, geoscientists can help mitigate harm, enhance resilience and promote long-term sustainability. Geoethics urges the geoscientific community to transcend technical solutions and advocate for radical, justice-driven transformations that meet the urgency of the climate and ecological crises.
This session seeks to inspire dialogue, showcase innovative practices and explore the evolving role of geoscience in cultural, policymaking, and societal change.