Message of the Executive
Director IYPE

Hosted by the Government of Portugal, a major Planet Earth Event will be held in Lisbon, Portugal from 20-22nd of November 2009. This Event (PELE2009) will both review the results of the International Year of Planet Earth (IYPE) during its operational period and highlight new initiatives built on the IYPE legacy. It is our pleasure to invite you to participate in this event.

The International Year of Planet Earth is a joint initiative by the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS) and UNESCO and was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly as a UN International Year for Planet Earth. The IYPE addresses the decision-makers and the general public, through a large number of national and international events throughout the triennium (2007-2009), on geoscientific knowledge at large and how that knowledge could better help in the realization of a safer, healthier and more prosperous global society. This ambition is succinctly expressed in the IYPE’s subtitle: Earth Science for Society.

The IYPE science and outreach plans are being realized by the IYPE Secretariat in close cooperation with the 80 established IYPE National and Regional Committees who are actively employing all efforts to make this endeavor a success (see: www.yearofplanetearth.org).

Apart from ceremonial and cultural elements of the program, the PELE2009 will address issues such as Renewable Energy, Sustainable Land & Water management, and Oceans. Political leaders, captains of industry and renowned scientists will discuss on how to cope with these issues and the role that the Earth sciences could and should play. Please check the Programme on this website.

Invitations to participate have been extended to several Heads of States, Ministers and United Nations’ Heads. The Event will be attended by the leaders of all 80 National Committees for IYPE and some 160 students from around the world (2 per National Committee) to assure the IYPE legacy be shared with new generations.