INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF PLANET EARTH
It is with great pleasure that We can announce the decision by the General Assembly of the United Nations to proclaim 2008 as the UN Year of Planet Earth. On the 22nd of December 2006 the UN General Assembly adopted by consensus a Resolution by the United Republic of Tanzania and co-signed by 82 nations, to proclaim 2008 as the UN Year of Planet Earth. The press release issued by the UN after adoption of the Resolution, reads as follows:
"By a draft on the International Year of Planet Earth, 2008, which the Committee approved without a vote on 11 November, the Assembly would declare 2008 the International Year of Planet Earth. It would also designate the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to organize activities to be undertaken during the Year, in collaboration with UNEP and other relevant United Nations bodies, the International Union of Geological Sciences and other Earth sciences societies and groups throughout the world. Also by that draft, the Assembly would encourage Member States, the United Nations system and other actors to use the Year to increase awareness of the importance of Earth sciences in achieving sustainable development and promoting local, national, regional and international action."
The Committee, to which the Press Release refers, is the Second Committee of the UN General Assembly where the International Year was discussed in two terms and approved before it was brought in the Plenary Session of the General Assembly. In fact, the International Year of Planet Earth will be a triennium, starting in 2007 and closing by the end of 2009, with the UN Year of Planet Earth 2008 in the centre.
For monthly status reports see the website
The International Union of Geosciences (IUGS), representing about 250,000 geoscientists across 117 countries, has taken the initiative to proclaim an International Year of Planet Earth 2007 - 2009 with the subtitle Earth Sciences for Society.
Its purpose will be to focus on the relationship between humankind and Planet Earth, and to demonstrate that geoscientists are key players in creating a balanced, sustainable future for both.
The International Year is proclaimed through the United Nations. The initiative
has already been adopted by UNESCO's Division of Earth Sciences as a core activity.
It has also been supported by IUGS's sister organisations: the International
Union of Geodesy and Geophysics (IUGG), the International Geographical Union
(IGU), the International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS) and the Scientific Commission
on the Lithosphere-International Lithosphere Programme (SCL-ILP). The International
Council for Science (ICSU) is also supporting the event. According to UN Guidelines
for the proclamation of international years, suitable subjects should be 'of
priority concern to political, social, economic, cultural, humanitarian or human
rights'; of concern to 'all (or a majority of) countries, regardless of economic
and social system', and should 'contribute to the development of international
co-operation in solving global problems', paying special attention to those
affecting developing countries.
The aim of the International Year of Planet Earth is to demonstrate new and
exciting ways in which Earth sciences can help future generations meet the challenges
involved in ensuring a safer and more prosperous world.
The achievement of this aim will be supported by two major programmes
Outreach Programme including educational ventures at all levels
Science Programme concentrating on 'big issues' of complex interaction within
the Earth system, and its long-term sustainability.
The initiative will seek to raise the awareness of the contribution to, and
role of the Earth sciences in society in the minds of politicians, decision-makers,
the media and the general public.
Governments will be urged to pay greater attention to the Earth sciences as affecting many aspects of the everyday lives of their citizens, with particular reference to applications in educational systems, governmental legislation and civil regulations, so as to take full advantage of this extensive source of expertise and experience.
Preparations for implementing this initiative are now in hand. The organisational structure of the project includes a Management Team for overall direction and monitoring of progress, an Outreach Programme Committee and a Science Programme Committee.
The website is www.yearofplanetearth.org
Main topics will be:
Groundwater - reservoir for a thirsty planet
Hazards - minimising risk, maximising awareness
Earth &Health - building a safer environment
Climate - the 'stone tape'
Resources - sustainable power for sustainable development
Megacities - going deeper, building safer
Deep Earth - from crust to core
Ocean - Abyss of time
Soils
Earth&Health is medical geology!
The core group responsible for these activities are Olle Selinus, Edward Derbyshire, Bob Finkelman, Jose Centeno and Phil Weinstein.
The group has published one brochure on medical geology. It can be downloaded from the website http://www.yearofplanetearth.org/downloads.htm
