Fundamentals of Geoethics

Geoethics deals with scientific, technical, educational, social and cultural practices related to sustainability, development, geodiversity, geological heritage, rational exploitation of mineral resources, responsibility in the prediction and mitigation of natural hazards, among others, both on Earth and, with a view to the future, in other spatial bodies. In addition to the deontological principles of honesty, integrity, professional secrecy, loyal competence, etc., shared by other professions, geoethics establishes other principles on which the behavior of geologists should be based. Internationally, two scientific societies dedicated to the promotion and development of geoethics have developed, both under the auspices of the International Union of Geological Sciences: the International Association for Geoethics (IAGETH) and the International Association for Promoting Geoethics (IAPG). Every professional community strives to maintain certain standards of competence and quality in its work. For this reason, it controls and supervises, in some way, the integration of new members and the adequate professional practice.