Many geoscientists apply their expertise to international community development through projects that involve direct interaction with host country agencies, community groups, and individuals. As someone with expertise or financial resources, one often has power to frame the definition of success around one’s own perceived reality regarding human development. Both local counterparts and international geoscientists themselves are often in a position to shape project goals toward their own needs and interests, rather than those of intended beneficiaries. We argue that one-sided engagement is often ineffective and even harmful for target beneficiaries. Awareness of such power dynamics minimizes the waste of resources and unintentional perpetuation of harmful social dynamics. Guidelines are presented in this editorial to help geoscientists partner equitably with groups or communities they intend to serve. The guidelines in this editorial may assist geoscientists to identify the felt needs of their target beneficiaries, define their own role in meeting those needs, define project goals of mutual interest, and make progress toward meeting felt needs. These guidelines include: (1) form relationships and build trust; (2) understand the local context; (3) be observant of internal power relations; (4) examine your motivations and expertise; (5) utilize local expertise in project implementation; and (6) recognize change takes time and investment in monitoring and evaluation. Although equitable engagement is rarely straightforward, especially in an unfamiliar cultural or socioeconomic context, it is crucial if geoscientists are to contribute effectively to global development.

All geoscience practices have evident repercussions on society. Geoscientists have knowledge and skills to investigate, manage, and intervene on the geosphere, defined as the component of the Earth system constituted by the land surface, the solid Earth, the hydrosphere, the cryosphere, and the atmosphere. This implies ethical obligations. The adoption of ethical principles is essential if geoscientists want to best serve the public good. Ethical responsibility by all geoscientists requires a more active role while interacting with society. Geoethics, which investigate the ethical, social, and cultural implications of geoscience research, practice, and education, represents a new way of thinking about and practicing earth sciences, focusing on issues related to the relationship of the geoscientist with the self, colleagues, and society in the broadest sense. In this paper, we define some of the main values relevant to geoethics.

Religious faith provides a strong motivation for mobilizing many geoscientists in making the world both a safer place to live and one in which a sustainable use of resources could be developed for the future. The history of science up to the present day is rich in individuals who have seen their scientific endeavors as a natural outworking of their faith. This is unsurprising, for scientists in many/most religious traditions are keenly aware of the interface among the creator (God), his creation (“nature”), and his creatures (humankind). Many of the most pressing problems of our day can be addressed by geoscientists; these include global climate change, water resources, mineral resources, and disasters such as floods, volcanic eruptions, and earthquakes. In addition, many religious folk are willing to support relief and development work in low-income areas both near and far from home, and they are educated and motivated to do so by common links of religious affiliations that cut across national and cultural boundaries and are global in scope.

Geoscience is poorly understood by the general public. People in the United States have recently gained a global reputation for science illiteracy. Absolutely essential information about living on our planet is not being effectively communicated, accepted, or practically heeded. Geoscientists are typically considered eccentric and irrelevant. Negative attitudes beyond those include associations of geology with global environmental degradation and sinister economic-political interests. This absurd reputation is partly deserved. Geoscience as a discipline and profession is foundational in moving toward more sustainable societies. Educational institutions, professional organizations, and individuals need to act in concert to illuminate the function and wonders of the natural world. Students of the skies, the waters, and the land require many new opportunities to seek benefits for all life and inanimate nature. Such a call is countercultural and idealistic. Philanthropy requires motivation of the heart and resistance to the drive for selfish gain. In the earth-science context, “geophilanthropy” is service rendered by education/training of others, by volunteering one’s time and expertise in problem solving, or by materially supporting geology-related projects. Professional outreach can benefit many sectors of society, including the general public, government and policymakers, industries, schools, and small-scale enterprise (agriculture, etc.). Development projects are a broad international venue for charitable outreach. Less advantaged communities globally are in great need of the educational and applied expertise possessed by professional geoscientists. Involvement of students at all levels in their higher-education careers is an additional benefit that multiplies service for investment in sustainable change.

Abstract 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.