2008

Just in case you wanted to know... (from Wikipedia)

2008 has been designated as:
International Year of Planet Earth;
European Year of Intercultural Dialogue;
Australian Year of the Scout;
International Year of the Potato;
International Year of Sanitation.

In Chinese astrology, most of 2008, starting with February 7 will overlap with the Year of the Rat (Dates before February 7 are Year of the Pig). The next Year of the Rat will be in 2020.


United Nations proclaims 2008 International Year of Planet Earth The United Nations General Assembly, meeting in New York, has proclaimed the year 2008 to be the United Nations International Year of Planet Earth. The Year's activities will span the three years 2007-2009.
The International Year of Planet Earth was approved by general acclamation of the General Assembly, and no vote was taken. The Year's purpose, encapsulated in it strapline Earth sciences for society, is to:

Reduce risks for society caused by natural and human-induced hazards
Reduce health problems by improving understanding of the medical aspects of Earth science Discover new natural resources and make them available in a sustainable manner
Build safer structures and expand urban areas, utilizing natural subsurface conditions Determine the non-human factor in climatic change
Enhance understanding of the occurrence of natural resources so as to contribute to efforts to reduce political tension
Detect deep and poorly accessible groundwater resources
Improve understanding of the evolution of life
Increase interest in the Earth sciences in society at large
Encourage more young people to study Earth science in university
(http://info.see.leeds.ac.uk/news-items/localnewsitem.2006-05-11.1757975817)