Planet Earth International 2009

Planet Earth 2009: an o
v
erview
Students from around
the world attended the
International Launch Event.
signiﬁ cant support for the Trondheim-based
International events
IYPE International Secretariat; Austria,
on 6 November in Vienna by the Minister In 2008, national launch events of the International Year of Planet
of Science and Research; Portugal, on 9
Earth were held in Havana, Cuba (10 January); Prague, Czech
November in Lisbon in the presence of two
Republic (11 January); Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (14 January); Dublin,
Ireland (18 January); Paris, France (12 & 13 February); Mexico
Vice Ministers; and Thailand on 21 and 22
City and many other cities in Mexico (12 & 13 February); Tallinn,
November in Bangkok at GEOTHAI 2007. ■
Estonia (18 March); Vilnius, Lithuania in Parliament (19 March);
Budapest, Hungary (17 & 18 April); Beijing, China; Honduras,
Honduras; Ottawa, Canada; San José, Costa Rica; Santiago, Chile (all
»
on 22 April, Earth Day); Seoul, Korea (23 April); Bratislava, Slovak
Earth scientists
Republic (23 April), Brasilia, Brazil (23 April); Arusha, Tanzania (8 &
9 May); Sanaa, Republic of Yemen (15 May); Stockholm, Sweden in
and social and the presence of King Carl XVI Gustaf (19 May); Rome, Italy with the
environmental
participation of the President of the Republic (30 May); Den Haag,
The Netherlands (3 June); Nairobi, Kenya (3-6 June); Nha Trang,
scientists have a
Vietnam (5 June); Berlin, Germany (12 & 13 June); and in Praia, Cape
Verde (16 October).
critical role to play in
In all such events high level politicians, ministers and presidents
enlightening politicians,
attended and made public statements in support of the Earth
sciences. The King of Sweden, who is an IYPE patron, spoke in similar
decision makers and terms at the opening of the IYPE in Stockholm.
the general public
Inspired by the successes of these launch events, many more
outreach activities will take place around the world during the
concerning global
remainder of the IYPE triennium. The political statements made at
these national gatherings will contribute substantially to the legacy
phenomena that impact
of the International Year. They will be collected and published in a
upon the Earth system
book to be presented to the Secretary General of the United Nations
in July 2010. Only history will judge if the IYPE has made a difference
and ways of mitigating to society’s perception and use of the Earth sciences, but changes
them.
in student enrolment will certainly be monitored throughout the
triennium and in the years that follow.
28 PLANET EARTH www.yearofplanetearth.org
PE6.intern.overview.kj.mw.indd 28 12/2/09 5:32:57 pm
Page 1 | Page 2 | Page 3 | Page 4 | Page 5 | Page 6 | Page 7 | Page 8 | Page 9 | Page 10 | Page 11 | Page 12 | Page 13 | Page 14 | Page 15 | Page 16 | Page 17 | Page 18 | Page 19 | Page 20 | Page 21 | Page 22 | Page 23 | Page 24 | Page 25 | Page 26 | Page 27 | Page 28 | Page 29 | Page 30 | Page 31 | Page 32 | Page 33 | Page 34 | Page 35 | Page 36 | Page 37 | Page 38 | Page 39 | Page 40 | Page 41 | Page 42 | Page 43 | Page 44 | Page 45 | Page 46 | Page 47 | Page 48 | Page 49 | Page 50 | Page 51 | Page 52 | Page 53 | Page 54 | Page 55 | Page 56 | Page 57 | Page 58 | Page 59 | Page 60 | Page 61 | Page 62 | Page 63 | Page 64 | Page 65 | Page 66 | Page 67 | Page 68 | Page 69 | Page 70 | Page 71 | Page 72 | Page 73 | Page 74 | Page 75 | Page 76 | Page 77 | Page 78 | Page 79 | Page 80 | Page 81 | Page 82 | Page 83 | Page 84 | Page 85 | Page 86 | Page 87 | Page 88 | Page 89 | Page 90 | Page 91 | Page 92 | Page 93 | Page 94 | Page 95 | Page 96 | Page 97 | Page 98 | Page 99 | Page 100 | Page 101 | Page 102 | Page 103 | Page 104 | Page 105 | Page 106 | Page 107 | Page 108 | Page 109 | Page 110 | Page 111 | Page 112 | Page 113 | Page 114 | Page 115 | Page 116 | Page 117 | Page 118 | Page 119 | Page 120 | Page 121 | Page 122 | Page 123 | Page 124 | Page 125 | Page 126 | Page 127 | Page 128 | Page 129 | Page 130 | Page 131 | Page 132