This book outlines the current development of geoethical thinking proposing to the general
public reflections and categories useful for understanding the ethical cultural and societal
dimensions of anthropogenic global changes. Geoethics identifies and orients responsible
behaviors and actions in the management of natural processes redefining the human interaction
with the Earth system based on a critical scientifically grounded and pragmatic approach.
Solid scientific knowledge and a philosophical reference framework are crucial to face the
current ecological disruption. The scientific perspective must be structured to help different
human contexts while respecting social and cultural diversity. It is impossible to respond to
global problems with disconnected local actions which cannot be proposed as standard and
effective operational models. Geoethics tries to overcome this fragmentation presenting Earth
sciences as the foundation of responsible human action toward the planet. Geoethics is
conceived as a rational and multidisciplinary language that can bind and concretely support the
international community engaged in resolving global environmental imbalances and complex
challenges which have no national cultural or religious boundaries that require shared
governance. Geoethics is proposed as a new reading key to rethinking the Earth as a system of
complex relationships in which the human being is an integral part of natural interactions.
