Our research program
Changing Earth - Sustaining our Future
The Earth is undergoing rapid, profound changes, with significant impacts on humanity. Central to these changes are the polar regions, oceans, and coastal and shelf seas, which play crucial roles in regulating the Earth's climate and supporting life.
The polar regions, in particular, are unique environments that are highly sensitive to both natural and human-induced changes. These areas hold largely unexplored biodiversity and have a critical influence on both regional and global climate by affecting sea-ice cover, ocean circulation, atmospheric conditions and finally coastal areas.
The Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI) is fully committed to addressing global environmental challenges as part of the Helmholtz research program "Changing Earth – Sustaining our Future". In this effort, all seven Helmholtz centers from the Research Field Earth & Environment have united under one comprehensive program, pooling their expertise to confront the complex scientific issues of our time (AWI, FZJ, GEOMAR, GFZ, Hereon, KIT, UFZ). Together, they aim to systematically tackle climate change, species extinction, environmental pollution, and the increasing vulnerability of modern society to natural hazards, with research spanning from land surfaces and oceans to the most remote polar regions.
AWI plays a pivotal role in this research program, contributing to the following six of the nine thematic areas (referred to as Topics):
Spokesperson of the Research Program
Prof. Dr. Thomas Jung
Program coordination
Program management
(Dipl. Martina Wilde, Dr. Almut Brunner,
Dr. Jessica U. Kegel, M.Sc. Silva Ruppert)
Topic 1: Atmosphere in Global Change
How do atmospheric processes contribute to global climate change, and how can we improve climate models to predict future weather extremes?
Our goal is to advance understanding of the atmosphere’s role in global change by focusing on three interconnected areas: atmospheric composition, climate feedbacks, and future weather extremes. Using innovative observational and modeling solutions, we aim to improve climate models and support the development of strategies for adaptation and mitigation.
Topic 2: Oceans and Cryosphere in Climate
How do oceans and the cryosphere drive climate change, and how can we better predict future climate and rising sea levels?
In a world warming faster than ever, our goal is to deepen our understanding of the processes shaping these climatic changes, focusing specifically on the oceans and cryosphere. By studying the past, present, and future climate system, we aim to close critical knowledge gaps related to warming, climate variability, and sea level rise. Utilizing AWI’s advanced research infrastructure, Earth system modeling tools, and cutting-edge techniques, we focus on the dynamics of sea ice and global circulation systems.
Topic 4: Coastal Systems
How can coastal ecosystems be sustainably managed to address climate adaptation and the growing demands on marine resources?
Our mission is to produce scientific knowledge on coastal ecosystems that informs society and guides solutions for climate adaptation. This includes sustainable management of resources such as biodiversity, offshore energy, aquaculture and water quality, which are vital to the future of coastal zones.
Topic 5: Future Landscapes
How can we preserve functional ecosystems, halt biodiversity loss, and ensure the sustainable use of natural resources in rapidly changing landscapes?
This topic aims to develop pathways toward multifunctional landscapes that maintain ecosystem functions, prevent biodiversity loss, and ensure the sustainable provision of natural resources. AWI focuses on understanding the rapid changes in Arctic-Boreal permafrost regions and their global impact.
Topic 6: Marine and Polar Life
How will global change impact marine biodiversity and the carbon cycles that regulate Earth’s climate?
This topic explores the diversity and functionality of marine ecosystems, particularly in the open ocean and polar seas. By studying the adaptability of marine organisms and the impact of global change on marine carbon pumps, we aim to support strategies for sustainable marine management and climate mitigation.
Topic 7: Sustainable Bioeconomy
How can we develop a bioeconomy that meets human needs without overexploiting natural resources?
AWI’s research focuses on understanding biological systems to support the development of a sustainable bioeconomy. By advancing technologies for efficient resource use and reducing environmental impacts, this topic aims to make the global economy more sustainable through the application of biological principles in production and technology.
Research infrastructures
The AWI boasts a world-class research infrastructure designed for polar research. This includes the icebreaking research vessel Polarstern, the versatile mid-sized research vessel Heincke, the Neumayer Station III in Antarctica, specialized polar aircraft, and the marine research stations Helgoland and Sylt. These facilities enable comprehensive studies in some of the most remote and challenging environments on Earth, providing critical data for polar and marine science.
SynCom
The transfer of knowledge to society is a central focus of the research program. SynCom, the platform for synthesis and communication, plays a crucial role by synthesizing scientific insights (“Syn”) and fostering communication and stakeholder engagement (“Com”). By connecting seven research centers and nine topics, SynCom enhances the societal impact of the program through interdisciplinary dialogue and actionable knowledge, ensuring that research informs policy, economics, and broader societal challenges.