Search for a command to run...
Geoethics is an evolving interdisciplinary field that provides ethical guidance for how humanity interacts with the Earth system. Originating in professional geoscience ethics, it has expanded to include the ethical, social, and cultural aspects of geoscientific practice. Today, it is proposed as a foundation for developing a global ethics. This review traces the evolution of geoethics through key milestones, such as international organizations and foundational documents, and outlines its core principles. It also highlights the wide-ranging applicability of geoethics across diverse and pressing issues. The practical relevance of geoethics extends to fields such as disaster risk reduction, geo-resource management, the protection of geodiversity and geoheritage, geoeducation, and geoscience communication. Geoethics also provides ethical reflections in emerging and controversial domains, including deep-sea mining and the use of artificial intelligence in geosciences. By fostering ethical awareness, responsibility, and reflexivity in geoscientific practice, geoethics contributes to shaping a more sustainable, inclusive, and just future. ▪ Geoethics integrates geoscience, ethics, and society to guide responsible human-Earth interactions. ▪ It provides a framework for addressing global challenges such as climate change and resource management. ▪ Geoethics promotes scientific integrity, sustainability, and planetary stewardship across disciplines. ▪ Its principles foster ethical awareness, shaping policy, education, and societal engagement worldwide.