Earth Sciences for Society - an International Year of Planet Earth

On the initiative of two organizations, International Union of Geosciences (IUGS) and UNESCO, the year 2007 has been declared International Year of Planet Earth under the UN system. The International year of Planet Earth is succeeded by the 50th anniversary commemoration of International Geophysical Year and International Polar Year (both 2007/2008). However, activities within the framework of the Year will run for a period of at least 3 years (2007 - 2009). The IUGS, representing about 25,000 geoscientists across 117 countries, has taken the initiative to proclaim an International Year of Planet Earth (2007 - 2009) with the subtitle 'Earth Sciences for Society'.Twelve founding partners, 26 associate partners and a growing number of International partner organisations from all continents and representing all major geoscientific communities in the world, have embarked on this initiative. The Year also enjoys the full political support of 191 UN countries out of which india is one.


Basic objectives

The basic objective is to create excitement amongst youngsters to take up Earth sciences as a career.Focusing on science communication and capacity building for informed decision making, the RVPSP has planned a number of activities like:

• Creating awareness about natural resources on Planet Earth as Wealth
• Enhancing Community partnership for judicious use of natural resources
• Increasing awareness among media personnel about their role on saving Planet Earth
• Enhancing awareness amongst policy makers on sustainable development issues
• Working towards development of a disaster resilient community

The major issues planned under this mega project include understanding major components of Planet Earth i.e. water, earth and atmosphere and the major activities planned are – Development of Books, booklets, folders posters, exhibitions, hands-on activities, data collection and analysis exercise, soil and water testing, map literacy, GIS activities, environmental and Water accounting exercise, development and training in low cost pollution measuring techniques, pollution and health issues , Eco-water literacy, local level survey on air, water, soil quality, agriculture cropping pattern, vouchers, land use etc.