International Year of Planet Earth
Encyclopedia
The United Nations General Assembly
declared 2008 as the International Year of Planet Earth to increase awareness of the importance of Earth sciences for the achievement of sustainable development. UNESCO
was designated as the lead agency. The Year's activities spanned the three years 2007-2009.
Apart from researchers, who are expected to benefit under the Year's Science Programme, the principal target groups for the Year's broader messages are:
The research themes of the year, set out in 10 science prospectuses were chosen for their societal relevance, multidisciplinarity and outreach potential. The Year has 12 Founding Partners 23 Associate Partners and is backed politically by 97 countries representing 87% of the world’s population. The Year was promoted politically at UNESCO
and at the United Nations in New York by the People’s Republic of Tanzania
.
The Year is open to Expressions of Interest from researchers within each of its 10 themes. The Outreach programme of the year is also now open to expressions of interest, and will work in a similar way by receiving and responding to bids for support from individuals and organisations worldwide.
The Year's Project Leader is former IUGS President Professor Eduardo F J de Mulder. The Year's Science Committee is chaired by Prof. Edward Derbyshire (Royal Holloway) and its Outreach Committee by Dr Ted Nield (Geological Society of London
).
The International Year of Planet Earth project was initiated jointly by the International Union of Geological Sciences
(IUGS) and the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO
). The UN press release reads: "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."
(IUGG); the International Geographical Union
; the International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS); the International Lithosphere Programme (ILP); the National Geological Survey of the Netherlands (NITG-TNO); The Geological Society of London
; the International Soil Reference and Information Centre
(ISRIC); A consortium of the International Association of Engineering Geologists and the Environment (IAEG), the International Society for Rock Mechanics (ISRM) and the International Society of Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering (ISSMGE); the International Union for Quaternary Research
(INQUA); the American Geological Institute
(AGI); the American Association of Petroleum Geologists
(AAPG); and the American Institute of Professional Geologists (AIPG).
The Year enjoys the support of 23 Associate Partners, including all major international geoscientific and other relevant organisations: International Council for Science
(ICSU); Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission
of UNESCO (IOC); International Permafrost Association
(IPA); International Association on the Genesis of Ore Deposits (IAGOD); Society of Economic Geologists
(SEG); Society for Geology Applied to Mineral Deposits (SGA); International Association of Hydrogeologists
(IAH); International Geoscience Programme
(IGCP); European Federation of Geoscientists (EFG); African Association of Remote Sensing of the Environment (AARSE); Science Council of Asia (SCA); European Association for the Conservation of the Geological Heritage (ProGEO); Society for Sedimentary Geology
(SEPM); Coordinating Committee for Geoscience Programmes in East and Southeast Asia (CCOP); Geological Society of Africa (GSAf); United Nations University
(UNU); Association of Geoscientists for International Development (AGID); United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UN/ISDR); North-eastern Science Foundation (USA) (NESF); Association of American State Geologists
(AASG); International Society of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing
(ISPRS); Geological Society of America
(GSA); North American Committee for Stratigraphic Nomenclature (NACSN).
Reduce risks for society caused by natural and human-induced hazard
s, reduce health problems by improving understanding of the medical aspects of Earth science
, discover new natural resource
s and make them available in a sustainable manner, build safer structures and expand urban area
s, utilizing natural subsurface conditions, determine the non-human factor in climatic change, enhance understanding of the occurrence of natural resources so as to contribute to efforts to reduce political tension, detect deep and poorly accessible groundwater
resources, improve understanding of the evolution of life, increase interest in the Earth sciences in society at large, encourage more young people to study Earth science in university.
The Year aims to raise $20 million from industry and governments and will spend half on co-funding research, and half on outreach activities. It will be the biggest ever international effort to promote the Earth sciences. All living, non living and Human beings on the surface of earth will benefit with activities of this year.
: reservoir for a thirsty planet?; Hazard
s: minimizing risk, maximizing awareness; Earth and Health
: building a safer environment; Climate change
: the ‘stone tape’; Resource
Issues: towards sustainable use; Megacities: going deeper, building safer; Deep Earth
: from crust
to core
; Ocean
: abyss of time; Soil
: Earth’s living skin; Earth and Life
: origins of diversity. Each is described within an accessibly-written prospectus available on the Web site. In addition, Planet Earth in our Hands, states the rationale for the Year, and Outreach: bringing Earth sciences to everyone, describes how the Outreach programme will work. All these can be downloaded from www.yearofplanetearth.org
United Nations General Assembly
For two articles dealing with membership in the General Assembly, see:* General Assembly members* General Assembly observersThe United Nations General Assembly is one of the five principal organs of the United Nations and the only one in which all member nations have equal representation...
declared 2008 as the International Year of Planet Earth to increase awareness of the importance of Earth sciences for the achievement of sustainable development. UNESCO
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
was designated as the lead agency. The Year's activities spanned the three years 2007-2009.
Goals
The Year aims to raise $20 million from industry and governments and will spend half on co-funding research, and half on "outreach" activities. It will be the biggest ever international effort to promote the Earth sciences.Apart from researchers, who are expected to benefit under the Year's Science Programme, the principal target groups for the Year's broader messages are:
- Decision makers and politicians who need to be better informed about the how Earth scientific knowledge can be used for sustainable development
- The voting public, which needs to know how Earth scientific knowledge can contribute to a better society
- Geoscientists, who are very knowledgeable about various aspects of the Earth but who need help in using their knowledge for the benefit of the world’s population.
The research themes of the year, set out in 10 science prospectuses were chosen for their societal relevance, multidisciplinarity and outreach potential. The Year has 12 Founding Partners 23 Associate Partners and is backed politically by 97 countries representing 87% of the world’s population. The Year was promoted politically at UNESCO
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
and at the United Nations in New York by the People’s Republic of Tanzania
Tanzania
The United Republic of Tanzania is a country in East Africa bordered by Kenya and Uganda to the north, Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west, and Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique to the south. The country's eastern borders lie on the Indian Ocean.Tanzania is a state...
.
The Year is open to Expressions of Interest from researchers within each of its 10 themes. The Outreach programme of the year is also now open to expressions of interest, and will work in a similar way by receiving and responding to bids for support from individuals and organisations worldwide.
The Year's Project Leader is former IUGS President Professor Eduardo F J de Mulder. The Year's Science Committee is chaired by Prof. Edward Derbyshire (Royal Holloway) and its Outreach Committee by Dr Ted Nield (Geological Society of London
Geological Society of London
The Geological Society of London is a learned society based in the United Kingdom with the aim of "investigating the mineral structure of the Earth"...
).
The International Year of Planet Earth project was initiated jointly by the International Union of Geological Sciences
International Union of Geological Sciences
The International Union of Geological Sciences is an international non-governmental organization devoted to international cooperation in the field of geology.-About:...
(IUGS) and the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
). The UN press release reads: "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."
Background
The Project is backed by the following Founding Partners: International Union of Geodesy and GeophysicsInternational Union of Geodesy and Geophysics
The International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics is a non-governmental organisation dedicated to the scientific study of the Earth using geophysical and geodesic techniques. The IUGG was established in 1919. Some areas within its scope are environmental preservation, reduction of the effects of...
(IUGG); the International Geographical Union
International Geographical Union
The International Geographical Union is an international geographical society. The first International Geographical Congress was held in Antwerp in 1871. Subsequent meetings led to the establishment of the permanent organization in Brussels, Belgium, in 1922. The Union has 34 Commissions and four...
; the International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS); the International Lithosphere Programme (ILP); the National Geological Survey of the Netherlands (NITG-TNO); The Geological Society of London
Geological Society of London
The Geological Society of London is a learned society based in the United Kingdom with the aim of "investigating the mineral structure of the Earth"...
; the International Soil Reference and Information Centre
International Soil Reference and Information Centre
World Soil Information, established in 1964 is an independent foundation with a global mandate, funded by the Netherlands Government, and with a strategic association with Wageningen University and Research Centre.Our aims:...
(ISRIC); A consortium of the International Association of Engineering Geologists and the Environment (IAEG), the International Society for Rock Mechanics (ISRM) and the International Society of Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering (ISSMGE); the International Union for Quaternary Research
International Union for Quaternary Research
The International Union for Quaternary Research was founded in 1928. It has members from a number of scientific disciplines who study the environmental changes that occurred during the glacial ages, the last 2.6 million years...
(INQUA); the American Geological Institute
American Geological Institute
The American Geosciences Institute is a nonprofit federation of 45 geoscientific and professional associations that represents more than 100,000 geologists, geophysicists, and other earth scientists...
(AGI); the American Association of Petroleum Geologists
American Association of Petroleum Geologists
The American Association of Petroleum Geologists is one of the world's largest professional geological societies with over 31,000 members as of 2007. The AAPG works to advance the science of geology , to promote technology, and to inspire high professional conduct...
(AAPG); and the American Institute of Professional Geologists (AIPG).
The Year enjoys the support of 23 Associate Partners, including all major international geoscientific and other relevant organisations: International Council for Science
International Council for Science
The International Council for Science , formerly the International Council of Scientific Unions, was founded in 1931 as an international non-governmental organization devoted to international co-operation in the advancement of science...
(ICSU); Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission
Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission
The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission was established by resolution 2.31 adopted by the General Conference of UNESCO. It first met in Paris at Unesco Headquarters from 19 to 27 October 1961. Initially, 40 States became members of the Commission.The IOC is composed of its Member States ,...
of UNESCO (IOC); International Permafrost Association
International Permafrost Association
The International Permafrost Association , founded in 1983, has as its objectives to foster the dissemination of knowledge concerning permafrost and to promote cooperation among persons and national or international organisations engaged in scientific investigation and engineering work related to...
(IPA); International Association on the Genesis of Ore Deposits (IAGOD); Society of Economic Geologists
Society of Economic Geologists
The Society of Economic Geologists originated from a 1919 gathering of a group of Geological Society of America members who were especially interested in economic geology. The Society was established on December 28, 1920, during a constituting meeting of 60 distinguished professionals...
(SEG); Society for Geology Applied to Mineral Deposits (SGA); International Association of Hydrogeologists
International Association of Hydrogeologists
The International Association of Hydrogeologists is a scientific and educational organisation whose aims are to promote research into and understanding of the proper management and protection of groundwater for the common good throughout the world....
(IAH); International Geoscience Programme
International Geoscience Programme
The International Geoscience Programme is a cooperative enterprise of UNESCO and the International Union of Geological Sciences ....
(IGCP); European Federation of Geoscientists (EFG); African Association of Remote Sensing of the Environment (AARSE); Science Council of Asia (SCA); European Association for the Conservation of the Geological Heritage (ProGEO); Society for Sedimentary Geology
Society for Sedimentary Geology
The Society for Sedimentary Geology is an international not-for-profit, scientific society based in Tulsa, Oklahoma. It is commonly referred to by its acronym SEPM, which refers to its former name, the Society of Economic Paleontologists and Mineralogists.The Society’s reason for being is to...
(SEPM); Coordinating Committee for Geoscience Programmes in East and Southeast Asia (CCOP); Geological Society of Africa (GSAf); United Nations University
United Nations University
The United Nations University is an academic arm of the United Nations established in 1973, which serves purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations. The UNU undertakes research into the pressing global problems of human survival, development and welfare that are the concern of...
(UNU); Association of Geoscientists for International Development (AGID); United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UN/ISDR); North-eastern Science Foundation (USA) (NESF); Association of American State Geologists
Association of American State Geologists
The Association of American State Geologists is an organization of the chief executives of the state geological surveys in 50 states and Puerto Rico. The responsibilities of the various state surveys differ from state to state, depending upon the enabling legislation and the traditions under which...
(AASG); International Society of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing
ISPRS
The International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing is a non-governmental organization devoted to the development of international cooperation for the advancement of photogrammetry, remote sensing and spatial information sciences and their applications.Established in 1910 by Professor...
(ISPRS); Geological Society of America
Geological Society of America
The Geological Society of America is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of the geosciences. The society was founded in New York in 1888 by Alexander Winchell, John J. Stevenson, Charles H. Hitchcock, John R. Proctor and Edward Orton and has been headquartered at 3300 Penrose...
(GSA); North American Committee for Stratigraphic Nomenclature (NACSN).
Objectives
The Year's Objective, encapsulated in it strapline Earth sciences for society, is to:Reduce risks for society caused by natural and human-induced hazard
Hazard
A hazard is a situation that poses a level of threat to life, health, property, or environment. Most hazards are dormant or potential, with only a theoretical risk of harm; however, once a hazard becomes "active", it can create an emergency situation. A hazard does not exist when it is not...
s, reduce health problems by improving understanding of the medical aspects of Earth science
Earth science
Earth science is an all-embracing term for the sciences related to the planet Earth. It is arguably a special case in planetary science, the Earth being the only known life-bearing planet. There are both reductionist and holistic approaches to Earth sciences...
, discover new natural resource
Natural resource
Natural resources occur naturally within environments that exist relatively undisturbed by mankind, in a natural form. A natural resource is often characterized by amounts of biodiversity and geodiversity existent in various ecosystems....
s and make them available in a sustainable manner, build safer structures and expand urban area
Urban area
An urban area is characterized by higher population density and vast human features in comparison to areas surrounding it. Urban areas may be cities, towns or conurbations, but the term is not commonly extended to rural settlements such as villages and hamlets.Urban areas are created and further...
s, utilizing natural subsurface conditions, determine the non-human factor in climatic change, enhance understanding of the occurrence of natural resources so as to contribute to efforts to reduce political tension, detect deep and poorly accessible groundwater
Groundwater
Groundwater is water located beneath the ground surface in soil pore spaces and in the fractures of rock formations. A unit of rock or an unconsolidated deposit is called an aquifer when it can yield a usable quantity of water. The depth at which soil pore spaces or fractures and voids in rock...
resources, improve understanding of the evolution of life, increase interest in the Earth sciences in society at large, encourage more young people to study Earth science in university.
The Year aims to raise $20 million from industry and governments and will spend half on co-funding research, and half on outreach activities. It will be the biggest ever international effort to promote the Earth sciences. All living, non living and Human beings on the surface of earth will benefit with activities of this year.
Themes
The Year’s research themes are: GroundwaterGroundwater
Groundwater is water located beneath the ground surface in soil pore spaces and in the fractures of rock formations. A unit of rock or an unconsolidated deposit is called an aquifer when it can yield a usable quantity of water. The depth at which soil pore spaces or fractures and voids in rock...
: reservoir for a thirsty planet?; Hazard
Natural disaster
A natural disaster is the effect of a natural hazard . It leads to financial, environmental or human losses...
s: minimizing risk, maximizing awareness; Earth and Health
Health
Health is the level of functional or metabolic efficiency of a living being. In humans, it is the general condition of a person's mind, body and spirit, usually meaning to be free from illness, injury or pain...
: building a safer environment; Climate change
Climate change
Climate change is a significant and lasting change in the statistical distribution of weather patterns over periods ranging from decades to millions of years. It may be a change in average weather conditions or the distribution of events around that average...
: the ‘stone tape’; Resource
Natural resource
Natural resources occur naturally within environments that exist relatively undisturbed by mankind, in a natural form. A natural resource is often characterized by amounts of biodiversity and geodiversity existent in various ecosystems....
Issues: towards sustainable use; Megacities: going deeper, building safer; Deep Earth
Earth
Earth is the third planet from the Sun, and the densest and fifth-largest of the eight planets in the Solar System. It is also the largest of the Solar System's four terrestrial planets...
: from crust
Crust (geology)
In geology, the crust is the outermost solid shell of a rocky planet or natural satellite, which is chemically distinct from the underlying mantle...
to core
Inner core
The inner core of the Earth, its innermost hottest part as detected by seismological studies, is a primarily solid ball about in radius, or about 70% that of the Moon...
; Ocean
Ocean
An ocean is a major body of saline water, and a principal component of the hydrosphere. Approximately 71% of the Earth's surface is covered by ocean, a continuous body of water that is customarily divided into several principal oceans and smaller seas.More than half of this area is over 3,000...
: abyss of time; Soil
Soil
Soil is a natural body consisting of layers of mineral constituents of variable thicknesses, which differ from the parent materials in their morphological, physical, chemical, and mineralogical characteristics...
: Earth’s living skin; Earth and Life
Life
Life is a characteristic that distinguishes objects that have signaling and self-sustaining processes from those that do not, either because such functions have ceased , or else because they lack such functions and are classified as inanimate...
: origins of diversity. Each is described within an accessibly-written prospectus available on the Web site. In addition, Planet Earth in our Hands, states the rationale for the Year, and Outreach: bringing Earth sciences to everyone, describes how the Outreach programme will work. All these can be downloaded from www.yearofplanetearth.org
Activities
- OneGeologyOneGeologyOneGeology is an international collaborative project in the field of geology supported by 113 countries, UNESCO and major global geoscience bodies. It is an International Year of Planet Earth flagship initiative that aims to enable online access to dynamic digital geological map of the world for...
- launch of an international collaborative project that aims to provide free access to the online digital geological world map in the scale of 1:1 million.
See also
- International Geophysical YearInternational Geophysical YearThe International Geophysical Year was an international scientific project that lasted from July 1, 1957, to December 31, 1958. It marked the end of a long period during the Cold War when scientific interchange between East and West was seriously interrupted...
- Scientific opinion on climate changeScientific opinion on climate changeThe predominant scientific opinion on climate change is that the Earth is in an ongoing phase of global warming primarily caused by an enhanced greenhouse effect due to the anthropogenic release of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases...
- United Nations International Years