Launch of International Year of Maths of Planet Earth. (January 23, 2012)

Australia’s Chief Scientist, Professor Ian Chubb, will launch the 2013 International Year of Mathematics of Planet Earth in Melbourne on 29 January.

The year will highlight the importance of mathematics and statistics in addressing a wide range of global challenges and encourage public engagement with mathematics.

"Whether it is addressing changes in our environment, minimising health risks for our population, securing adequate, nutritious food supplies, or building and powering infrastructure for this generation and the next, you will always find science and mathematics at the core of the solution,” Professor Chubb said.

Following the launch, Professor Simon Levin, Princeton University, will deliver the first in an international series of Mathematics of Planet Earth public lectures, sponsored by the Simons Foundation. The lecture is titled, The Challenge of Sustainability and the Promise of Mathematics.

“Sustainability is arguably the greatest challenge for our generation,” Professor Levin said. “Mathematics has much to offer in finding solutions, and mathematicians are eager to find out how they can get involved”, he continued.

Mathematical skills are in high demand in the Australian workforce, yet the number of high school students taking up intermediate and advanced level mathematics subjects at Year 12 is declining.

“There is a very significant number of students at school for whom maths is their favourite subject, but they are not exposed to the career options that are there,” said Professor Geoff Prince, Director of the Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute. “We hope that Maths of Planet Earth will help students discover the exciting career opportunities awaiting them when they study mathematics or statistics.”

Maths of Planet Earth themed events will be held throughout the year, targeting both public and specialist audiences. Australian school students will follow in the footsteps of the Greek mathematician, Eratosthenes, by measuring the circumference of the Earth. A major international conference, hosted by AMSI in July, will showcase Australia’s mathematical sciences research capacity and create a platform on which to launch new scientific collaborations.. Students, academics, professionals and the public will be contributing to the Maths of Planet Earth blog at www.MoPE.org.au, and participate in competitions throughout the year.

The launch will be held in the Sidney Myer Asia Centre, University of Melbourne, on 29 January at 5:45pm.