'Year of the Planet' to be unveiled

Ireland’s role in the United Nations International Year of the Planet will be launched today.

Green Party government minister Eamon Ryan will outline the country’s contribution to a global push to raise awareness about the environment.

The UN dedicated 2008 to the cause of promoting a better understanding of how the world works and how to protect it.

Ireland’s year-long celebration will see a television series broadcast in September, local walks and talks and new commemorative stamps being issued.

There will also be exhibitions, a nationwide rock search competition as well as events and activities organised by the Geological Survey of Ireland (GSI).

These will include internationally-renowned speakers at a public lecture series called Planet Earth.

The first of these will be by Professor Aubrey Manning, broadcaster and Emeritus Professor of Natural History at the University of Edinburgh, at the launch.