Paradise Planet Earth: A cosmic Oasis under threat

What is life? How did the Earth become a Paradise? Where we humans come from? Why is there so much injustice and destruction around us?

Dealing with these important questions, we will first explore ancient beliefs, myths and superstitions about origins, before following the current scientific view of the nature and development of the Universe and of humankind within it.

We admire the amazing achievements of scientific exploration and discovery, but on the other hand, we face the tragic consequences of our modern technological 'civilisation', that driven by powerful economic and political interests, overexploits and destroys this fragile paradise, probably unique in our galaxy.

Finally, an open discussion about valuing what is being lost and the imperative need for a radical change in our ways of life, perhaps invoking ancestral wisdom to guide our use of technology and hopefully reconnect with our lost humanity.

As members of a diverse UCL community, we have a great deal of responsibility in leading the way towards an imperative and radical change in the fabric of our modern society.

SHORT BIOGRAPHY:

Francisco is a Lecturer at UCL, vice president of the Association for Astronomy Education and Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society. He is a keen populariser of natural sciences and has extensive experience as a planetarium producer/presenter, lecturer, author and broadcaster.

His most recent project is Paradire Planet Earth, involving education and public outreach. This initiative blends the natural sciences with the arts, philosophy and ancestral wisdom. The idea is to provide an essential cultural tool for a united humanity to defend and preserve the natural environment.

Paradise Planet Earth will be a valuable anchor where young students will always find inspiration and sense of purpose not only as future scientists, but as responsible human beings able to face the severe global challenges that are already growing out of control.

>Read more about Dr Francisco Diego
 

This event will take place in the Gustave Tuck Lecture Theatre, on the second floor of Wilkins Building, up the stairs found in South Wing.