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Logos

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Why an International Year of Planet Earth?

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

– To encourage Society to apply this To encourage Society to apply this potential more effectivelypotential more effectively

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Who is behind the Year?

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

– Co-initiated by the Earth Science Division of UNESCO

– 8 Founding Partners– 17 Associate Partners

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Eight Founding Partners

– IUGG– IGU– IUSS– ISRIC– ILP– GeolSoc– TNO-NITG– IAEG + ISRM + ISSMGE Consortium

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17 Associate Partners

IUGS- Affiliated IUGS- Affiliated OrganisationsOrganisations

– IAH– IPA– SEG– SGA– IAGOD– GSAfrica– SEPM– CCOP– AGID

Other Associate Other Associate PartnersPartners

– ICSU– IGCP– IOC– EFG– AARSE– ProGeo– SCA– UNU

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International Year

– Science ProgrammeScience Programme

– Outreach ProgrammeOutreach Programme

– UN ProclamationUN Proclamation

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Science ProgrammeEssential characteristics

– Soundly based in the geosciences– Global in scope– Holistic & multidisciplinary– Human impact integral– Potential for Developing Countries– Potential for effective Outreach – Essentially ‘bottom-up’ in approach

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Science Programmes

1. GroundwaterGroundwater – towards sustainable use2. HazardsHazards – minimising risk, maximising awareness3. Earth and HealthEarth and Health – building a safer environment4. ClimateClimate – the “stone tape”5. ResourcesResources – prosperity and sustainability6. MegacitiesMegacities – going deeper, building safer7. Deep EarthDeep Earth – from crust to core8. OceanOcean – abyss of time9. SoilsSoils - the living skin of the Earth10. LifeLife – pending

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Outreach Programme

Aims:Aims: – Generate greater awareness among

the public of the wide-ranging importance of the geosciences for human life and prosperity

– Stimulate awareness of the societal contributions of the geosciences within national education systems

– Increase understanding of the societal importance of the geosciences on the part of decision-makers

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Outreach ProgrammeGeneral

– Same general criteria, size and budget as the Science Programme

– Build on foundation-sponsors’ funding– Responsive to project bids, and so ‘bottom-

up’ in line with the Science Programme

– Multilingual– Application process continuous (no ‘rounds’)

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Outreach ProgrammeExamples

– Affiliate with the Year– Recycling and enhancing educational material– Support scientists from developing countries– Citizen science: involve public in research– Competitions– Stories (news, books)– Programme making– Art commissioning– Travelling exhibitions

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Website

www.yearofplanetearth.www.yearofplanetearth.orgorg

www.esfs.orgwww.esfs.org

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Brochures

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From geoscientific towards political support in the UN

In three steps:– Collect support from national Collect support from national

geoscience communitiesgeoscience communities– Secure support at political (Ministry) Secure support at political (Ministry)

levellevel– Obtain support at United Nations level Obtain support at United Nations level

by by way of Ministries of Foreign Affairsway of Ministries of Foreign Affairs

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Political support building up ...

ArgentinaAustralia

AustriaBrazil

CameroonCanada

ChinaGermany

IndiaIsraelItaly

JordanKazakhstan

LithuaniaMauritius

MexicoMozambique

NamibiaNetherlands

PakistanPoland

RomaniaRussian

FederationSouth Africa

TanzaniaZambia

Steps 1 12 23 3

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From Council towards UN General Assembly ...

Three steps:1. Approval of Declaration by Council of

IUGS/IGC (26 August 2004)2. Adoption by UNESCO’s Executive Board (28

April 2005)3. Proclamation by UNESCO General

Conference and UN General Assembly

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Declaration

The Council of the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS) and the International Geological Congress (IGC), representing the geoscience communities in 140 countries and regions at the meeting of 7000 geoscientists gathered at the 32nd IGC in Florence, Italy, declares that:

– the geosciences can contribute significantly to a safer, healthier and wealthier world.

– this potential contribution is seriously under-used by society and should be substantially increased.

– proclamation of an international year under the aegis of UN member states would help the Earth sciences to make their full contribution to our sustainable stewardship of the planet.

Accordingly, Council invites UNESCO’s Executive Board to adopt an International Year of Planet Earth.

Florence, 26 August 2004

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From Council towards UN General Assembly ...

Three steps:1. Approval of Declaration by Council of

IUGS/IGC (26 August 2004)2. Adoption by UNESCO’s Executive Board (28

April 2005)3. Proclamation by UNESCO General

Conference and UN General Assembly

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Draft Resolution supportin the Executive Board

– Algeria – Brazil – Burkina Faso– Canada– China– Egypt – Germany– Ghana Italy– Jamaica

– Kenya– Mauritius– Morocco – Mozambique– Namibia– Pakistan– Russian

Federation – Rwanda – Senegal

– Slovenia – Sri Lanka– Sri Lanka – Swaziland– Tanzania – Turkey– Ukraine

Countries:

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Global political support for Planet Earth Year

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Progress by 20 May 2005

– SupportSupport:: political support by 34 nations: 3,6 billion people– Draft Resolution adopted by UNESCO’s Executive Board– 8 Founding Partners– 17 Associate Partners– IUGS/IGC Council Declaration adopted by 140 nations

– ScienceScience:: 9 Themes identified + 10th pending– 5 science brochures printed, 7 on website– 2 in design– 1 in development

– OutreachOutreach:: Web site operational, brochures & flyer printed; Newsletter; Outreach brochure printed

– LinkedLinked with eGY and IPY

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Strategic Alliance eGY & International Year of Planet Earth

The purpose of the Strategic Alliance between the Electronic Geophysical Year (eGY) and the International Year of Planet Earth is:

to facilitate collaborative scientific research and development and other programmes of the highest international standing in the interests of both parties.

Signed 20 February 2005

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Proposed cooperation between eGY and International Year of Planet Earth– Handling of certain data in some Science

Programme Themes by eGY – Involvement of eGy in the International Year’s

Outreach Programme – Participation of the International Year of Planet Earth

in eGy’s ‘virtual observatories’ – Draw attention to eGY’s activities through the UN

system – Mutual advertising of the two programmes’ activities

in all available media outlets • Facilitate communication and cooperation by

exchange of liaison personnel at the management level

• Strengthen cooperation among all I*Ys

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Building up awareness…

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What next?

– Table Resolution on Agenda for UN General Assembly and UNESCO’s General Conference

– Further increase political support – Start fundraising by Development

Committee– Develop Professional Organisation– Publish remaining Science brochures– Promote activities at national and regional

levels