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About Topic 2

Mission:

Topic 2 will advance the understanding of past, present and future changes of the climate system from an ocean and cryosphere perspective by closing critical knowledge gaps related to warming climates, variability and extremes as well as sea level change for the benefit of society.

Our focus:

The atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide and methane, which are currently by far the highest for at least 800,000 years as a result of anthropogenic influence, is strongly affecting the ocean and cryosphere. We focus on natural and anthropogenically-induced variability as well as on feedbacks in the coupled Earth system via observations, data analyses and comprehensive modeling. Essential are furthermore reconstructions of the past which bring our current changes into the long-term perspective.

Recent HighlightsStructure | Subtopics | Participating Centers | Contact 

Recent Highlights

Topic 2 scientists - twice successful in ERC Synergy Grants

For their excellent frontier research in Topic 2, both Gerrit Lohmann (Topic 2 Spokesperson) and Arne Biastoch (Deputy Topic 2) have received prestigious funding from the European Research Council (ERC Synergy Grant). In the coming years, they will work with an interdisciplinary research team to gain insights at the frontiers of knowledge on the following projects: i2B - Into the Blue and WHIRLS: Small ocean swirls with large impacts on climate and marine life.

Structure

Graphic Representation of Subtopics

Subtopics in detail

Participating Centers