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

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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