Please activate JavaScript!
Please install Adobe Flash Player, click here for download
ePaper created 2014-12-22, 09:34:33 | version 1.34.00
PROFESSOR GEORG TEUTSCH Vice-President of the Helmholtz Association, Coordinator of the Research Field Earth and Environment, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ MISSION The Helmholtz scientists involved in the research field Earth and Environment examine the basic functions of the Earth system and the interactions between society and nature. They focus on expanding and interconnecting long-term observa- tion systems, improving predictions and making findings quickly available to society. They formulate knowledge-based policy recommendations on how the Earth’s resources can be used in a sustainable fashion without destroying the foundations of life. For example, REKLIM, a Helmholtz climate initiative, is bringing together the expertise of nine Helmholtz centres in order to improve regional and global climate models. Another important goal is to establish and operate infrastructure and facilities such as the HALO research air- craft and the TERENO network, for which terrestrial observa- tories have been set up in four selected regions in Germany. Within the scope of the COSYNA project, a long-term obser- vation system is created for the German North Sea and later extended to Arctic coastal waters. PROGRAMME STRUCTURE IN THE CURRENT FUNDING PERIOD Eight Helmholtz centres are currently participating in the research field Earth and Environment. Work is carried out in five programmes: Geosystem: The Changing Earth Marine, Coastal and Polar Systems Oceans Atmosphere and Climate Terrestrial Environment OUTLOOK To meet the current challenges, the research field Earth and Environment will continue to pool the capacities of the participating centres within shared research portfolios. This strategy is leading to new alliances and facilitating the expansion of Earth observation and knowledge systems as well as integrated modelling approaches. The interdiscipli- nary portfolio project “Earth System Knowledge Platform – Observation, Information and Transfer” is integrating the knowledge acquired by all of the centres in this research field as well as by their partners. Its aim is to help society to cope with the complex challenges brought about by changes in the Earth system. RESEARCH FIELD EARTH AND ENVIRONMENT 20 PROGRAMMES IN THE CURRENT FUNDING PERIOD 2014–2018 Geosystem: The Changing Earth This programme analyses processes in the geosphere and their interaction with the hydrosphere, atmosphere and biosphere. Goals include monitoring, modelling, under- standing and evaluating key processes, creating solutions and strategies to prevent disasters, and developing geo- technologies for the utilisation of underground space. To attain these goals the programme uses satellite missions, airborne systems, global geophysical and geodetic networks, regional observatories, deep drilling rigs, mobile instrument pools and analytical and experimental facilities. Marine, Coastal and Polar Systems This programme concentrates on a variety of issues: changes in the Arctic and Antarctic; the interaction between these GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz-Center for Polar and Marine Research Helmholtz Centre Potsdam – GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences Karlsruhe Institute of Technology Forschungszentrum Jülich Helmholtz Zentrum München – German Research Center for Environmental Healt Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht Centre for Materials and Coastal Research