Simple geoethics: an essay on daily Earth science MARTIN BOHLE Directorate General for Research and Innovation, European Commission, Rue de la Loi 200, 1049 Brussels, Belgium (e-mail: Martin.bohle@ec.europa.eu) Abstract: As research into the functioning of Earth, Earth sciences concern many subjects that influence the everyday dealings of the general population. However, these subjects often pass unnoticed and people have little chance to consider how these subjects intersect with their daily lives, thus, limiting their opportunities to develop informed insights regarding humankind’s position within Earth’s systems. To overcome this limitation, Earth science storylines should be part of the general public discourse, as meteorology experiences have been for some time. As examples can show, many opportunities for ‘telling Earth science storylines’ exist, including the use of social media for outreach activities. Earth science specialists should tell ‘Earth science storylines’ inspired by the founding scientists of geosciences who in their time were often called ‘physical geographers’. Daily public or private talk rarely touches on Earth science matters. Earth sciences seem not to be involved in public storytelling, apart from in some non-mainstream television programmes. Meteo- rology is the noticeable exception, which has the advantage of having a ‘weather storyline’. Notice- ably, over the last few decades this storyline has been broadened to include climate change matters that have a public impact. Regularly, meteorologists attract people’s atten- tion because they talk about the weather, a subject about which everybody has a view, experiences or a story to share. Moreover, many people need infor- mation about the weather for their daily lives. Therefore, meteorologists tell Earth science story- lines of events and of cause and effect, which enter daily discussions and even into gossip. Con- sequently, people are more knowledgeable about the weather than any other subject concerning Earth sciences and they position themselves accord- ingly. As an aside, meteorologists present their work daily on prime-time TV and radio, and on websites on demand. There are not many other branches of Earth science that dare to undertake a similar endeavour, which, however, engineering sciences display regularly. Often engineering is about storytelling and these stories are included in the daily conversations of people who are knowl- edgeable and concerned with various engineering subjects. These experiences that bring science and engineering topics into mainstream discourse are worth exploring. Evidently, natural hazards such as extreme weather, earthquakes or flooding are subjects of daily conversations that often evolve into value statements and ethical views. Some branches of Earth science generate public awareness when disaster strikes and Earth scientists can more easily develop their peculiar storylines. Citizens tend to be quite attentive when seeking hazard mitigation, but their attention tends to drop rapidly when condi- tions are back to normal, although some knowl- edgeable insight seems to prevail. Apparently, threats alone do not provide the right circumstances to develop lasting interest and the amalgamated insights that are necessary to keep a subject part of daily conversation. The success of meteorologists telling Earth science storylines is encouraging. Beyond meteo- rology and hazard mitigation, many subjects of research of Earth relate to the everyday dealings of people. It is for the Earth scientists to make these ties better known. In order to help people notice the relevance of Earth sciences in their daily lives, their reasoning, including ethical considerations, about humankind’s position within Earth’s systems should be developed. A first step towards this goal is to develop engaging Earth science storylines. Currently many opportunities for Earth science storylines are untapped, a case of missed opportu- nities when scientific understanding is essential to admire the beauty and particularity of the everyday environment. I present a context for telling ‘Earth science storylines’ and some examples illustrating a range of stories that, brought to their respective ends, could make ‘geoethics’ a simple daily matter for citizens. Telling Earth science stories daily Earth scientists can talk about many Earth science features, events and incidences that encompass the activities of the entire globe. These conversations From:Peppoloni, S. & Di Capua, G. (eds) Geoethics: the Role and Responsibility of Geoscientists. Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 419, http://dx.doi.org/10.1144/SP419.3 # 2015 The Geological Society of London. For permissions: http://www.geolsoc.org.uk/permissions. Publishing disclaimer: www.geolsoc.org.uk/pub_ethics by guest on February 16, 2015 http://sp.lyellcollection.org/ Downloaded from