Discover the history of life on Earth

Discover the “History of Life on Earth” from its origin to present day at a free public lecture this Thursday.

As part of 2008 International Year of Planet Earth, a public lecture by popular writer Dr Richard Fortey will take place this Thursday, 21 February, at 7.00pm at W5 science and discovery centre in Belfast’s Odyssey Complex.

The lecture, hosted by the Geological Survey of Northern Ireland (GSNI) and the Geological Survey of Ireland (GSI), will trace the evolution of life, from a blossoming of biodiversity to catastrophic extinctions, and deal with some of the personalities involved in unravelling this fascinating story.

Renowned palaeontologist Dr Richard Fortey explained: “I will be presenting the extraordinary story of the history of life on our planet. Its transformation by life itself shows that the earth is a single, unified system. In the past life has survived mass extinctions, but today the activities of man are posing new challenges to the Earth system.”

GSNI geologist Dr Mark Cooper said: “International Year of Planet Earth aims to raise global environmental awareness, and demonstrate the role Earth scientists play in ensuring a safer, healthier and wealthier society. This prestigious lecture is part of a programme of events planned for 2008, which includes talks, guided tours, competitions and much more.”

This event has been organised by GSNI and the GSI in collaboration with W5. The event is free and open to the public. Booking is essential as numbers will be limited. For tickets please email gsni@detini.gov.uk or telephone 028 9038 8462.

For more information on what is happening throughout the year, log on to the Geological Survey of Northern Ireland website or visit the planet earth website

Notes to Editors:

1. International Year of Planet Earth aims to ensure greater and more effective use by society of the knowledge accumulated by the world’s 400,000 Earth scientists. The Year’s ultimate goal of helping to build safer, healthier and wealthier societies around the globe is expressed in the Year’s subtitle ‘Earth science for Society’.
2. The International Year runs from January 2007 to December 2009, the central year of the triennium (2008) having been proclaimed by the UN General Assembly as the UN Year. The UN sees the Year as a contribution to their sustainable development targets as it promotes wise (sustainable) use of Earth materials and encourages better planning and management to reduce risks for the world’s inhabitants. For more information and press kit please visit the planet earth website.
3. Dr Richard Fortey is a renowned palaeontologist and recipient of the prestigious Michael Faraday prize for science communication. He is the author of the acclaimed books ‘Life: an Unauthorised Biography’, ‘Trilobite’ and most recently ‘Dry Store Room No 1’.
4. For media enquiries please contact the DETI Press Office, telephone 028 9052 9297.
5. Outside office hours, please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.