The 32nd International Geological Congress started in the central Italian city of Florence on Friday, with the participation of more than 7,000 scientists from 120 countries who will discuss climate changes and the health of the earth.

The eight-day quadrennial meeting is hosted by the Italian government for the second time in history. In 1881, Italy hosted the 2nd International Geological Congress in the city of Bologna.

Attilio Boriani, president of the meeting, said it is expected to contribute to "the preservation of the cultural and natural heritage as well as the protection of the environment and a compatible use of natural resources."

The meeting's primary objectives are to show the scientific progress in the field and the benefits that geological knowledge offers to humanity.

According to organizers, the choice of Italy as the venue of this event assumes an important meaning in the light of these objectives. Italy, due to its position in the middle of the Mediterranean area, which is characterized by a great variety of geodynamic processes, is a country deeply involved in the problems of geological risks.

The agenda of the so-called "Geology Olympic Games", which focuses on the topic "From the Mediterranean Area Toward a Global Geological Renaissance: Geology, Natural Hazards and Cultural Heritage," is very interesting.

The congress consists of seven plenary sessions, 76 symposia with 336 scientific sessions, 30 workshops and short courses as well as 30 geological excursions.

The whole Italian scientific community of this field is virtually involved in the event, together with the four institutional sponsors that are sponsoring the congress -- the Ministry of Education, University and Research, the Department of Civil Protection, the National Research Council and the Agency for Environmental Protection and Technical Services.

The event is also supported by the European Commission, the executive arm of the European Union.

Source: Xinhua