The short films, to be released at irregular intervals over the coming weeks, feature PIK scientists and offer an overview of key research topics at the institute. PIK Scientific Directors Johan Rockström and Ottmar Edenhofer kick things off.
Episode 1: How stable is our planet? PIK Director Johan Rockström explains the “Planetary Boundaries” framework. These boundaries refer to the stability of Earth systems, and ultimately the planet’s capacity to support human life as we know it. Rockström concludes: “Staying within planetary boundaries isn’t a constraint. It’s an opportunity to redefine progress – towards a world that is stable and just, where we’ll live healthily within the means of our only home.”
Episode 2: How can we clean up the atmosphere? PIK Director Ottmar Edenhofer highlights the importance of going beyond zero emissions in the second half of the century, to bring back global heating to 1.5°C after a period of overshoot. Just as we fund waste collection in cities, we must create systems to fund atmospheric carbon removal. Strong governance is needed to ensure quality, affordability and permanence of removals. “Clean up your mess isn’t just a good advice – it’s the new imperative.”
Episode 4: Why does an ocean current influence our climate? PIK department head Stefan Rahmstorf explains how climate change is putting the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) at risk, and what this could mean for Europe and the world. The AMOC transports warm water from the tropics northward, contributing to Europe’s mild climate – while carrying around 50 times more energy than humanity consumes. Today, the circulation is weaker than at any point in the past thousand years. Rahmstorf explains the complex dynamics of the AMOC – and what we can do to prevent further weakening.
To be continued.
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