29/09/2023 | At the invitation of the ZMT, Prof. Dr. Johan Rockström, Director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK), gave a lecture on "Planetary Change" in the Denkarena of Universum Bremen on Thursday, Sept. 28.
Under the leadership of Johan Rockstrom, the concept of "Planetary Stress Limits in Times of Global Change" was developed with an international research group. The concept describes the maximum stresses that our Earth can still withstand in terms of environmental aspects such as climate change, loss of biodiversity, ocean acidification or water consumption, without risking serious negative consequences for the environment and people. The concept serves as a guide for sustainable action and the avoidance of ecological crises.
In his English-language presentation, "Planetary Change in the Anthropocene," Rockström explained the complex interactions among Earth's life-support systems and showed that human intervention in the Earth system already puts us at risk of widespread environmental damage - and not just because of climate change. For example, a highly topical study by Rockström shows that six of the nine Planetary Boundaries have already been breached and pressure on the rest is greatly increased (https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adh2458).
Rockström's presentation also addressed the irreversible and catastrophic changes that can occur as a result of tipping points in the Earth system. He placed a particular focus on the world's oceans. "The oceans are both an essential component of the global carbon climate cycle and a victim of accelerating global change," Rockström said. "A deeper understanding of the dynamics and biology of the oceans is essential to better understand the extent of human-induced pressures our planet can still withstand."
Prof. Dr. Raimund Bleischwitz, scientific director of the ZMT, welcomed his colleague to Bremen: "Johan Rockström is world-renowned for his pioneering work on planetary stress limits and he is a great speaker. To get him to give a talk is very special."
Lecture by Prof. Dr. Johan Rockström at the Universum Science Center (Photos: Jan Meier, ZMT)