“Sustainable Geoscience and Geotourism”-An International Scientific Open Access Journal

On behalf of the editorial board, we are very pleased to announce the launch of the open access journal Sustainable Geoscience and Geotourism (SGG) published and owned by the Publishing house SciPress Ltd, Switzerland. Sustainable development is a new worldview, practical model of progression for all countries of the world. It consists in the transition from a purely economic model to the search for an optimal balance between economic, social and environmental components [1], with a holistic, integrated approach of several fields of science, which is due to the interconnection of all processes on Earth [2]. The transition to sustainable development is a process of changing the value orientations of people. Geoscience is essential for the sustainable development and well-being of the Earth [3]. On this ground it should be presented at the proper level along with disciplines of social and economic orientation. For the first time the term “Sustainable geoscience” was proposed by Iain S. Stewart as a new instrument of scientific knowledge and realization [4]. Achieving sustainable geoscience is an ongoing process that requires constant monitoring of geological and environmental impacts, applying appropriate preventive and corrective measures. The concept of Sustainability is a characteristic of balanced development. It can be ensured with the integrity of natural systems that have direct influence on the global stability of the entire noosphere. The main attention should be paid to maintaining the possibility of dynamic adaptation of such systems to changes, resistance to degradation and the ability to recover. Anthropogenic impact is the dominant force in changing the geological environment today [5]. It is for this reason that the applied values of geoconservation, anthropocene geology, hydrogeology and contaminant geology, ecology, geoengineering and urban geology, rational nature management, sustainable mining and clean technologies, agrogeology, social geology, along with a study of geohazards and climate change, are called upon to contribute to the realization of the goals of sustainable development of mankind. Geoeducation is aimed at development of people's understanding of the importance of geoscience for sustainable development of society and the search and preservation of the balance of the system of relations "human-nature". The definition of Geotourism (Dowling, 2013), is as follows: “This is sustainable tourism with a primary focus on experiencing the earth’s geological features in a way that fosters environmental and cultural understanding, appreciation and conservation, and is locally beneficial. Geotourism product that protects geoheritage, helps build communities, communicates and promotes geological heritage and works with a wide range of different people” [6]. Geosites are the key landmarks of the knowledge of the geological history of any part of the earth's crust, therefore their comprehensive characterization should be based exclusively on modern achievements of geology and related scientific disciplines. The use of geosites for tourism purposes covers their aesthetic, educational, scientific and cultural qualities as a component of national, cultural and historical heritage. The growing interest of society in geotourism should be fully supported by geologists using the advanced practice of UNESCO's geoparks [7]. Sustainable Geoscience and Geotourism Online: 2017-12-28 ISSN: 2624-8220, Vol. 0, pp 1-2 doi:10.18052/www.scipress.com/SGG.0.1 © 2017 SciPress Ltd., Switzerland


Dear colleagues,
On behalf of the editorial board, we are very pleased to announce the launch of the open access journal Sustainable Geoscience and Geotourism (SGG) published and owned by the Publishing house SciPress Ltd, Switzerland.
Sustainable development is a new worldview, practical model of progression for all countries of the world. It consists in the transition from a purely economic model to the search for an optimal balance between economic, social and environmental components [1], with a holistic, integrated approach of several fields of science, which is due to the interconnection of all processes on Earth [2]. The transition to sustainable development is a process of changing the value orientations of people.
Geoscience is essential for the sustainable development and well-being of the Earth [3]. On this ground it should be presented at the proper level along with disciplines of social and economic orientation. For the first time the term "Sustainable geoscience" was proposed by Iain S. Stewart as a new instrument of scientific knowledge and realization [4]. Achieving sustainable geoscience is an ongoing process that requires constant monitoring of geological and environmental impacts, applying appropriate preventive and corrective measures.
The concept of Sustainability is a characteristic of balanced development. It can be ensured with the integrity of natural systems that have direct influence on the global stability of the entire noosphere. The main attention should be paid to maintaining the possibility of dynamic adaptation of such systems to changes, resistance to degradation and the ability to recover. Anthropogenic impact is the dominant force in changing the geological environment today [5]. It is for this reason that the applied values of geoconservation, anthropocene geology, hydrogeology and contaminant geology, ecology, geoengineering and urban geology, rational nature management, sustainable mining and clean technologies, agrogeology, social geology, along with a study of geohazards and climate change, are called upon to contribute to the realization of the goals of sustainable development of mankind.
Geoeducation is aimed at development of people's understanding of the importance of geoscience for sustainable development of society and the search and preservation of the balance of the system of relations "human-nature".
The definition of Geotourism (Dowling, 2013), is as follows: "This is sustainable tourism with a primary focus on experiencing the earth's geological features in a way that fosters environmental and cultural understanding, appreciation and conservation, and is locally beneficial. Geotourism product that protects geoheritage, helps build communities, communicates and promotes geological heritage and works with a wide range of different people" [6]. Geosites are the key landmarks of the knowledge of the geological history of any part of the earth's crust, therefore their comprehensive characterization should be based exclusively on modern achievements of geology and related scientific disciplines. The use of geosites for tourism purposes covers their aesthetic, educational, scientific and cultural qualities as a component of national, cultural and historical heritage. The growing interest of society in geotourism should be fully supported by geologists using the advanced practice of UNESCO's geoparks [7].
The International scientific journal Sustainable Geoscience and Geotourism provides comprehensive coverage of geology areas for sustainable development, paying much attention to issues of geotourism. Its scope includes and is not limited to:
 geoparks: establishment, management and promotion,  geosites: identification and assessment,  geodiversity and geoconservation,  geoheritage,  mining and geological tourism,  urban geotourism,  geological sustainable tourism  GIS technology in geotourism,  management, sustainable products and services of geotourism  social and cultural implications of geotourism.
The purpose of the journal is to contribute to Earth sciences and to present new approaches to solving the problems of sustainable development and popularizing geotourism at the global level. We are sure that the development of sustainable geoscience and geotourism requires the competent participation of a wide range of scientists and the public, with integration into geological education and professional fields of activity.
We would like to invite the scientists who are engaged in basic and practical research of geosciences and related areas to submit your suggestions to the Journal, share your comments, thoughts, and ideas that can contribute to the development of this new journal.