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On the occasion of the
International Astronautics Day I would like to congratulate you for the
excellent organisation of today’s events and above all for this wonderful
work that is being done here at the Planetarium that puts Cyprus on the map
of astronomy and education in environmental and scientific matters.
The humanity only realised the
magnitude of climate change (climate chaos in contemporary terms) when we
were able to see the earth from above in the 1960’s. It was only then that
the unity of the planet was perceived, but also its fragility. Unfortunately,
scientists and researchers were not taken into consideration in political
decisions at that time, and today the planet is paying the price.
The fact that the Cyprus
Planetarium invests both time and money in scientists and researchers, and
invests in quality state-of-the-art equipment so as to promote research and
science education, love and respect for nature and peace, is praiseworthy.
Taking the above into account,
I feel particularly honoured that a constructive partnership between the
Office of the Commissioner for the Environment and 10.10 Cosmos, the
Interstellar Institute and the Cyprus Planetarium is launched today, a
cooperation to which I look forward.
Cyprus’ dark sky is a privilege
for our country, and we need to make targeted efforts to protect it from a
phenomenon of the modern world, the light pollution, i.e. the diffuse
brightness of the night sky with excessive and incorrect artificial lighting.
Light pollution has adverse
effects on many levels:
- On
the environment, in particular, in fauna and flora (disorientation of
animals, effects on physiology and behaviour), with indirect effects on
ecosystems and water resources, as well as through increased energy
consumption that entails increased use of fossil fuels, increased
greenhouse gas emissions and depletion of energy resources.
- On
the economy due to the waste of energy and the related financial
cost.
- On
astronomy, with the complete disappearance of celestial objects from the
night sky.
- On
the health of people presented in the form of various symptoms such as
headaches and insomnia as well as a reduction in the ability to see at
night.
- On
the quality of life and growth of people: People are cut off from the
sky, from the beauty of the constellations and celestial phenomena that
have been a source of inspiration for the sciences, literature, and the
arts throughout time.
We could therefore join forces
through innovative initiatives of this magnitude, such as the Planetarium,
using them as tools for educating citizens. Such initiatives could also form
the basis for shaping our policies, adapted to available scientific data. The
accurate and scientific information that is so artfully offered at the
Planetarium for research purposes and for educating citizens through
entertainment, I am confident that it will soon bear fruit!
Behind every great project lies
a great vision. And here at the Cyprus Planetarium, which is the largest in
the eastern Mediterranean, the vision of Professor Zarenkov and his decision
to implement it in Cyprus, honours our country. The reward for any visionary
is to witness the new generation embrace his/her work, and this work to have
an impact on society. The tens of thousands of children who visited the
Cyprus planetarium within only 10 months since its establishment are a
tangible testimony that even in a highly competitive environment, quality and
professionalism survive and flourish.
In concluding my greeting and
since I am in such a setting, I wish to refer to the appeal for peace made by
Yuri Gagarin at the darkest of moments in the armament race, the Soviet
cosmonaut who, on April 12, 1961, became the first man to travel to space:
“Orbiting the Earth in the spaceship, I saw how beautiful our planet is.
People, let us preserve and increase this beauty; not destroy it!”
My warmest congratulations
again to the visionaries, the scientific team, and the management of the
Cyprus Planetarium. Thank you.
(ASP)
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