Geoethical considerations in disaster risk reduction

Abstract

Natural phenomena (earthquakes, floods, landslides, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis) remind us that the Earth is a dynamic planet, with continuous changes and transformations. When these phenomena endanger life and activities of human communities, it is necessary that scientific knowledge, professional skills and political responsibilities cooperate effectively with the aim to defend population, economic activities, infrastructures and cultural heritage. Risk cannot be entirely eliminated, but can be mitigated, trying to minimize its negative effects. Nowadays we are able to predict, with a certain degree of uncertainty, the onset and development over time of some natural events. Scientific progress is proving that we can defend ourselves, through an in-depth knowledge of phenomena, their careful monitoring (even through satellites), the development of early warning systems, the use of reliable predictive models, prudent and farsighted policies of land management, the implementation of information and education campaigns for the population. However, the defence against georisks should not overlook the ethical and social aspects involved, which can support the scientific knowledge in identifying acceptable solutions for living together with natural phenomena. Geoethics was born as a response to the need to develop an ethical and social reflection on the relationship that link us to our territory and to the Earth system as a whole, and to consider the individual and collective responsibilities that arise from it. Geoethics aims to recall all those who must manage georisks to attend their responsibilities and to educate the population to know and face them improving the societal resilience to natural disasters.