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One Research Program: Changing Earth – Sustaining our Future

Climate change, the extinction of species, environmental pollution, and the increasing vulnerability of a technological society to natural disasters are among the greatest challenges of our time.

We take a systemic approach to researching our natural environment; from the land surface and the oceans to the most remote polar regions. After all, it will only be possible to plot a course into a sustainable future with in-depth knowledge of the Earth system, innovative technologies, strategic solutions, and evidence-based recommendations for policymakers.

Seven Helmholtz Centers are collaborating to gather deep insights into the complex relationships between the processes that take place on our planet. What are the causes and effects of global environmental changes? How can natural resources be used sustainably? How can we protect ourselves more effectively from disasters and natural hazards like droughts, heavy rainfall, storms, floods, and earthquakes? We aim to develop solutions and strategies to help humankind adapt to changing environmental conditions, to minimize global threats like climate change, and to understand the potential impact of these risks, not only for the environment but also for the economy and society.

We have bundled the digital world of Helmholtz Earth System Research on a central landing page. Helmholtz Earth.

To meet the complex challenges of modern Earth system research, we are collaborating in one joint research program, "Changing Earth - Sustaining our Future." We have therefore organized our research areas into nine topics as well as several cross-cutting activities and alliances. Our aim is to interlink the knowledge generated through this work and promote cooperation between Helmholtz Centers and with national and international partners. To make sure that our research findings are brought to public attention and are able to influence developments in society, we have set up a synthesis and communication platform.

Changing Earth - Sustaining our Future

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"Integrated research for adressing global water challanges"

Brochure of the Helmholtz Water Network

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Contact

Prof. Dr. Susanne Buiter

Research Field Coordinator and Vice-President Research Field Earth & Environment
Helmholtz Centre Potsdam - GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences

Dr. Cathrin Brüchmann

Chief Research Manager Earth and Environment
Helmholtz Association

Highlights

  • Earth & Environment

    The year 2023 was warmer than climate models had predicted. Researchers at the AWI may have now found the reason: our planet's reflectivity is decreasing because it lacks certain clouds.

  • Earth & Environment

    Katja Matthes, Director of the GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel and Coordinator of the Helmholtz Dialogue Platform KLIMA, on the outcome of the 29th UN Climate Change Conference.

  • Earth & Environment

    A new basic AI model will help to better understand the global carbon cycle and make predictions about future changes. The project needs one thing above all else: Lots of high-quality data from…

  • Earth & Environment

    A unique core from the ocean and complex climate calculations have revealed when and where the Antarctic ice sheet formed. According to the study, the continent slowly froze from east to west 34…

  • Earth & Environment

    Helmholtz researchers want to develop an AI foundation model that enables more long-term and reliable climate forecasts. The project is part of an initiative that aims to leverage the potential of…

  • Earth & Environment

    Research supported by GEOMAR questions the origins of life and calls for further research on oxygen production in the deep sea

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