International Year of Planet Earth and a Hurricane Named Ike: Why Earth Science is so Important

As Hurricane Ike slammed into the Texas gulf coast late Friday, humankind again confronted powerful forces of nature and the limits of our ability to withstand them. The city of Galveston, wiped out on September 8, 1900 by The Great Storm as it was called, faced the unthinkable a second time 108 years later, almost to the day.

As assessments of damage and loss of life are reported from the Gulf Coast, the city of Houston, and surrounding areas, we're grateful for modern advances and the efforts of public safety officials, knowing things could have been much worse. Those of us not struggling to survive and put life back together can also reflect on our relationship with this amazing planet.    

Earth in all its complexity is a beautiful, bountiful place that supports life in myriad ways. Its water, soils, climate, and other resources permit life to flourish. At the same time its natural processes such as hurricanes, earthquakes, and other hazards threaten life.

Humankind will continue to thrive if we increase our knowledge and understanding of Earth, as well as our respect for it. To that end, geoscientists and others from Albania to Zambia are raising awareness of the earth sciences and the role they play in improving our health, prosperity, and safety.

International Year of Planet Earth (IYPE) is an initiative of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization and the International Union of Geological Sciences.   A triennium event spanning 2007-2009, IYPE was officially launched in Paris in February.

Under the theme "earth sciences for society," 73 countries are participating with science programs and outreach events. Each national committee is focused on topics most relevant to the country in which they live. Subjects range from sustainable resource development to reducing risks associated with natural and human-induced hazards.

Geoscientists have always known the benefits of their work for the global community and its quality of life. We also know we need to do a better job of sharing our knowledge and experience with others who can use it to the greater benefit of society.

Ten science themes of IYPE reflect the broad areas in which earth sciences have much to contribute:

• Groundwater – Toward sustainable use
• Hazards – Minimizing risk, maximizing awareness
• Earth & Health – Building a safer environment
• Climate – The record in rocks, sediment, and ice
• Resources – Toward sustainable use
• Megacities – Going deeper, building safer
• Deep Earth – From crust to core
• Ocean – Abyss of time
• Soils – Earth's living skin
• Earth & Life – Origins of diversity

As challenges associated with population growth, availability of fresh water, and competing global demands for energy, mineral, and other resources increase, the need for geoscientists grows. Through IYPE we hope to ignite the interest of young people around the world, encouraging them to study the earth sciences and contribute their ideas and energy to this great work.

To learn more about International Year of Planet Earth and activities around the world, visit www.yearofplanetearth.org.

Larry Woodfork is Chairman of the Board of Directors of International Year of Planet Earth. He is a professional geologist with many years of experience focused on geology in the public interest.

He currently divides his time between a consulting practice in energy development and service to several not-for-profit organizations.