PLANET EARTH IN OUR HANDS – KEEPING THE BALANCE 

 

“Earth scientists are today's key players in building a sustainable world. For our children's sake we must be able to use the Earth's riches without wasting resources that cannot be replenished, and without upsetting the dynamic equilibrium of the Earth System that sustains us all.”

 

 

UNITED NATIONS’ INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF PLANET EARTH

During the next few years, international Earth Science will be stimulated by research and outreach programmes – the International Year of Planet Earth (IYPE) 2007-2009.

 

The conference programme will reflect this initiative as one of the events dedicated to International Year of Planet Earth. This is the major global initiative proclaimed by the United Nations aimed to support research projects and outreach programs under several socially relevant geological themes.

The geological heritage is the means of understanding all of them and offers several possibilities to build the economic benefits of geological natural values as well. The most important facts are;

·         The proclamation by the United Nations commits the 191 UN member countries to stimulate national politicians and decision makers to use the Earth sciences as means of advancing sustainable development in their countries, and report back to the UN on the progress made.

·        The UN proclamation also provides credibility to the claim that this initiative is widely accepted by all nations as a most worthy endeavour, and will thus be instrumental in approaching donors and sponsors for financial contributions to realise the Year’s aims.

 

UNDERSTANDING PLANET EARTH

Earth scientists study the rocks of Planet Earth and try to understand both the history of our planet and its structure, and the evolution of life. Society depends and always has depended, on geology. It underpins society’s need for natural resources and raw materials which support our daily life. The landscape around us is a product of a complex and dynamic relationship between the underlying geology, natural processes which shape the land and the nature and distribution of habitats; and interaction of man with all of these elements.

Geological features provide a fascinating scientific and education resource, recording millions of years of history in which continents have moved, climates have changed, sea-levels have risen and fallen and animals have appeared, evolved and eventually become extinct whilst, natural processes have shaped and continue to shape the landscape.

An understanding of past environmental changes is of great practical values, enabling us to better understand and plan for current and future environmental change and associated hazards. Geological heritage is an important means for public understanding of science and the environment.

Public understanding of science is a necessary requirement if society is to support geological science as well as geological heritage. Can geologists successfully interpret geology to the non-specialists or do they need heritage interpretation and marketing experts?

 

WHO SHOULD ATTEND THE CONFERENCE?

We welcome members of ProGEO and other geoconservationists and geoscientists, including students who are interested in geoheritage themes.

Registration can be for the full conference or a single day.