Understanding the Earth System — From Global Change Research to Earth System Science

There is no doubt that “Global Change” and its scientific analysis and interpretation are on the forefront of international research efforts. Since the detection of global warming, first signs of world-wide melting of ice-masses and glaciers, indications of sea-level rises and/or the depletion of the atmospheric ozone-layers, increasing numbers of scientists — meteorologists, physicists, atmospheric chemists, oceanographers and others — have devoted their research to the solution of these and related problems. Global change research and its development over the last 20 or 30 years are testimony not only to the almost unbelievable broadening, widening and deepening of research themes, but also — and likewise — to a shift of scientific paradigms. As a matter of fact: the title of this conference “Understanding the Earth System — Compartments, Processes and Interactions” and the publication of its proceedings are part of this development.