Planet Earth International 2009

Message from the
Message from the
International Union of
Geological Sciences
ALBERTO C. RICCARDI PRESIDENT OF THE INTERNATIONAL UNION OF GEOLOGICAL SCIENCES
Several years ago the IUGS launched the ﬂ yers in different languages, global and regional
International Year of Planet Earth initiative to launch events, exhibitions around the globe and
demonstrate the potential of the Earth sci- many other activities, have served to enhance
ences for the building of a safer, healthier and cooperation among earth scientists, administra-
wealthier society and to encourage civil society tors, politicians and civil society and to generate
to apply this potential more effectively. Since public awareness of the wide-ranging impor-
then, the International Year of Planet Earth has tance of the geosciences for human life and
become an enriching reality, especially through prosperity. All these have been widely distrib-
its programmes on science and outreach. uted by the news media, clearly revealing the
IYPE Corpor
As the Year runs from relation between Earth science and fundamental
January 2007 to December educational, social and economic situations
2009, and we are now at the around the world, differences between which
end of the core year of the trien- amount, in many cases, to those between life
nium (2008), proclaimed as a and death.
UN Year by the United Nations Transfer of the outcomes of these programs
General Assembly, I welcome to long-term activities in the geosciences is now
the publication of this second desirable, with a view to ﬁ lling existing gaps in
international edition of Planet geoscience education and the management and
Earth, which provides me with application of information around the world.
the opportunity to highlight There is no doubt that education and informa- ation
some of the Year’s excellent tion are basic to social, political and economic
results and to consider ways in development and that education and geo-
which they could be built upon science information are of fundamental impor-
beyond 2010. tance in the building of a safer, healthier and
The Science Program, focused on issues of wealthier society.
relevance to society, such as groundwater, haz- The IUGS will make good use of the results
ards, climate and soils, to mention a few, has of the International Year of Planet Earth and
so far largely related to ‘grassroots’ activities will continue working on all its established
in the participating countries; by this means, goals through its scientiﬁ c bodies, such as the
the International Year has successfully raised Commission on Education, Training & Technical
geoscientists’ awareness of the need to develop Transfer and the Commission on the Manage-
further the international coordination of their ment & Application of Geoscience Information,
activities. One of the outstanding examples has as well as through its links with its 120 National
been the involvement of the Year in the OneGe- Committees around the world and its 46 Afﬁ li-
ology project, involving the participation of Geo- ated Organisations that cover a wide spectrum
logical Surveys and other organisations in the of knowledge in the geosciences.
integration of data in standard format within a The results of all these endeavours will con-
dynamic web portal. stitute a lasting legacy of the International Year
The Outreach Program has also achieved of Planet Earth. ■
some notable successes. An excellent website,
brochures, articles in newspapers and jour- Alberto C. Riccardi President of the
nals with world wide distribution, together with International Union of Geological Sciences
www.yearofplanetearth.org PLANET EARTH 7
PE2.welcome.kj.mw.indd 7 23/2/09 3:02:14 pm
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