Earth System Science for Global Sustainability:
The 5 Grand Challenges
Deliang ChenExecutive Director of ICSU
Visioning task team: Johan Rockström, Walter Reid, Elinor OströmKari Raivio, Anne Whyte, Hans Joachim Schellnhuber, Heide Hackmann
The Planetary Response to the drivers of the Anthropocene
From: Steffen et al. 2004
”the great acceleration of the human entreprise”,
1900 1950 2000
CO2, N2O, CH4 concentrationsOverfishingLand degradationLoss Biodiversity…..
2010
-202
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Three Step Process
Review DraftDec 2009 to Mar 2010• 46 Institutions• 202 Individuals
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Three Step Process
Publication: Nov 2010
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Grand Challenges
ICSU (2010). Earth System Science for Global Sustainability: The Grand Challenges. International Council for Science, Paris.
Challenge #5: Innovating
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Geo-Engineering ?
To address the Grand Challenges:• Need to meet a twofold challenge:
1. develop strategies to respond to ongoing global change while meeting development goals
2. deepen knowledge of the functioning of the Earth system and its critical thresholds
• Engaging decision-makers and stakeholders• Attracting young scientists• Balanced mix of disciplinary and interdisciplinary
research
