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UN Year of UN Year of Planet Earth: 2008Planet Earth: 2008

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Why an International Why an International Year of Planet Earth?Year of Planet Earth?

– To demonstrate the great potential of the Earth sciences in the building of a safer, healthier and wealthier Society

– To encourage Society to apply this potential

more effectively

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Who is behind it?Who is behind it?

– Initiated by the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS)

– Co-initiated by UNESCO’s Earth Science Division

– International Geoscience Programme (IGCP)

– 12 Founding Partners, 26 Associate Partners

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Focus on: Focus on:

– Science

– Outreach

– Operating responsively to proposals from grassroots... Centrally (Norway) and national committees

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Outreach Programme Outreach Programme

Aims:

– To tell the public about how geosciences underpin life and prosperity

– Highlight the societal contribution of geosciences within national education systems worldwide

– Inform politicians about how significant geosciences are to providing society’s needs, and to solving pressing environmental problems.

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10 Science Themes10 Science Themes

1. Groundwater – towards sustainable use2. Hazards – minimising risk, maximising awareness3. Earth & Health – building a safer environment4. Climate – the ‘stone tape’5. Resources – towards sustainable use6. Megacities – going deeper, building safer7. Deep Earth – from crust to core8. Ocean – abyss of time9. Soils – the living skin of the Earth10. Earth & Life – origins of diversity

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Website Website

www.yearofplanetearth.owww.yearofplanetearth.orgrg

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LogosLogos

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FlyersFlyers

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PublicationsPublications

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Science years 2007-2009Science years 2007-2009