The extra amount of energy from solar radiation trapped in the atmosphere by greenhouse gases from burning fossil fuels affects numerous most relevant processes in atmosphere and weather patterns – from heat and droughts to rain and floods. Weather extremes are increasing. Our climate changes, a climate which has been remarkably stable during millennia of human civilization. Earth system science disentangling the mechanisms at work is the very foundation for assessing the risks.
News
Press Release

            70 years of data show adaptation reducing Europe’s flood losses
          
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Press Release

            Tropical bird populations reduced by a third since 1980, compared to a world without climate change
          
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            PIK develops a new global, high resolution data set of atmospheric rivers
          
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Press Release

            Weather station in Potsdam shows driest first half-year since measurements began over 130 years ago
          
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Press Release

            Weak winds key factor in 2023 extreme North Atlantic heatwave – marine heatwaves set to worsen
          
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            New study identifies causal links behind the increase in hot and dry extremes in Central Europe
          
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News

            Leonie Wenz awarded Piers Sellers Prize 2024
          
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            Katja Frieler: Climate Impact Professorship at the University of Potsdam
          
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            Resonant planetary waves contributed to Pacific Northwest Heat Dome event of 2021
          
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People
          
            Working Group Leader
            
          
        
          
            Working Group Leader
            
          
        
          
            Deputy Head of Research Department
            
          
        
          
            Head of Research Department
            
          
        
                    Nonlinear Data Analysis
                    RD1 - Earth System Analysis
                    copan:CORE
                    Europe
                    POEM
                    1.5/2°C limit
                    Ecosystems
                    Global
                    Transfer (Knowledge/Technology)
                    Land Use
                    Global Commons
                    Tipping Elements
                    LPJmL
                    Policy Advice
                    CO2 Removal
                    Atmosphere
                    Planetary Boundaries
                    Climate Policy
                    Sustainable Development
                    Biodiversity
                    Germany
          
            Head of Research Department
            
          
        
          
            Deputy Head of Research Department
            
          
        
          
            Postdoctoral Researcher
            
          
        
          
            Senior Scientist
            
          
        
                    Health
                    Nonlinear Data Analysis
                    Nonlinear Dynamics
                    Europe
                    Paleoclimate
                    RD4 - Complexity Science
                    North America
                    Asia
                    Oceans
                    Brandenburg
                    Tipping Elements
                    Open Source Software
                    Climate impacts
                    Energy
                    Oceania/Australia
                    Arctic / Antarctica
                    Atmosphere
                    Weather
                    Planetary Boundaries
                    Sustainable Development
                    Machine Learning
                    South America
                    Germany
                    Complex Networks
          
            Postdoctoral Researcher
            
          
        
          
            Senior Scientist
            
          
        
                    Nonlinear Dynamics
                    Nonlinear Data Analysis
                    copan:CORE
                    RD1 - Earth System Analysis
                    Paleoclimate
                    POEM
                    Science Unit - Earth Resilience (ERSU)
                    Security / Migration
                    Extremes
                    Global
                    Tipping Elements
                    Open Source Software
                    Decarbonization
                    Agent-based Models
                    Ice
                    Planetary Boundaries
                    Sustainable Development
                    Machine Learning
                    PISM-PIK
                    Complex Networks
          
            Postdoctoral Researcher
            
          
        
          
            Postdoctoral Researcher
            
          
        
 
           
           
           
                 
                 
                 
          