System Earth
How does our planet cope with the changes and reciprocal influences that interact in a complex system and to which it is constantly subjected?
NASA
People have had an active impact on the system Earth since the Industrial Revolution. Our habitat in turn will change in the course of reciprocal influence.
We need knowledge on whether the system Earth copes with the impacts of industrial societies and of the increasing worldwide consumption without any difficulty. The pollution in the atmosphere, the greenhouse effect, the oceanic currents relevant to the climate and the ice masses at the poles provide information that is just as important for handling our home planet in a sustainable manner as that related to the destruction of the rainforests and the resulting changes. Answers to these and other questions can only be obtained if the "system Earth" is studied and understood.
An understanding of global cycles and the interaction of geosphere (the solid body of the Earth), cryosphere (the ice masses), hydrosphere (liquid water) and biosphere (all flora and fauna) enables us to design strategies to combat desertification, food crises and migration pressure, improve disaster control and prevention as well as find new ways of crisis prevention, peace and conflict research.
Research Infrastructure
Researching the complex system Earth not only requires excellent scientists, but also an effective research infrastructure.
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(URL: http://www.fona.de/en/5722)
Climate Change and Global Change
How can we respond as early as possible to global processes and changes in nature and society that are often interlaced with each other and affect humanity as a whole and on a long-term basis?
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(URL: http://www.fona.de/en/5723)
Natural Processes
What processes and interactions in the entire system Earth make it possible to gain a better understanding of the natural balances and cycles and a better assessment of anthropogenic influences?
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(URL: http://www.fona.de/en/5724)
fona - Research for Sustainabiity
10/2001 - 10/2006
Research for Climate Protection and Protection from Climate Impacts (2004) 
Vom Wissen zum Handeln? (2004) (only available in German) 
