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Planet Earth is in our hands
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The year 2008 has been designated by the United Nations as the
International Year of Planet Earth (IYPE)
The initiative will seek to raise awareness of the role and contribution of the Earth sciences to 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 these affect many aspects of the everyday lives of their citizens, with particular reference to applications in educational systems, governmental legislation and civil regulations. Governments will also be encouraged to take full advantage of this extensive source of expertise and experience.
Earth sciences for society
The IYPE initiative is particularly relevant at a time when global climate change, energy and fresh-water needs are at the top of the agenda of many governments and business leaders, particularly in the mining industry. These issues and others related to health and hazard mitigation for example, need to be addressed through a collaborative effort by the international community.
The human race can exist only by courtesy of the self-sustaining Earth System. The Earth is unique not only in our Solar System but, as far as we know, in the accessible universe. It is not just the only planet we have - it is the only living planet we know, or may ever know.
Earth scientists are the key players
Earth scientists are today's key players in building a sustainable
world. The Earth provides a rich bounty of diverse life forms, about
which we still have much to learn - as new research techniques are
developed and applied.
IYPE will focus on 10 major science themes:
- Groundwater - towards sustainable use
- Hazards - minimising risk, maximising awareness
- Earth & Health - building a safer environment
- Climate - 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 & Life - the origins of diversity
International participation
More than 50 nations have already committed to this venture that will have as its central focus an "umbuntu" (Zulu word meaning community, family, unity) between geo-scientists and society to promote Earth Stewardship Science. SAEON forms part of a national committee established by the South African government to promote IYPE throughout South Africa and, at the same time, showcase the South African geoscience 'laboratory' on the international stage.
The national committee is represented by a significant number of leading scientists and stakeholders, including Earth and life scientists dealing with natural resources.
The IYPE is coordinated through a central secretariat based in Oslo, Norway and will run until the end of 2009.
For more information, visit www.esfs.org
