10 1 / 2023 // LEOPOLDINA / NEWS
European responses to climate change and transformation
Leopoldina and the Polish Academy of Sciences launch the European Climate Conference
Human intervention in the Earth ’ s systems has caused serious changes to geology , climate and biodiversity . From mining for mineral resources , such as coal , the landscape , ground water systems and flora and fauna have been permanently destroyed . The climate in the region is also changing .
Image : mitifoto | AdobeStock
Climate change and its impact on Europe are the topic of the first European Climate Conference on 15 and 16 May in Warsaw . Leopoldina and the Polish Academy of Sciences invite discussion on the regionality of climate change and its consequences from the perspective of science . The starting point for this is the concept of the Anthropocene concept , co-created by the Nobel Prize winner and Leopoldina Member Paul J . Crutzen .
Climate change caused by human activity is completely changing the Earth . The effect of humans , which is evident in this and other processes , led to the formation of a new geological epoch – the Anthropocene . The term was introduced by the Dutch atmospheric researcher Paul J . Crutzen together with US biologist Eugene F . Stoermer .
Due to its magnitude , climate change is seen as the global challenge of the 21st century . It involves far-reaching transformations in order to adapt to and mitigate the consequences of climate change to secure the survivability of humans and nature in the future . Furthermore ,
the Russian war against Ukraine has changed the way climate change is dealt with on the European continent , especially in the context of the energy transition .
At this time of permanent crises , climate change remains a central problem that requires national , European and inter national efforts . Despite its extremely high relevance , it has not yet been given the necessary attention at regional and local level .
In view of this complexity the goal of the European Climate Conference is also complex : Inspired by the integrative-systemic approach of the Anthropocene concept , the conference aims to discuss the latest results of climate research and necessary changes in the interconnected natural , social and economic systems , while at the same time identifying regional differences and European commonalities . For this , the conference in Warsaw on 15 and 16 May will bring together leading scientists from 47 European and Eurasian countries .
The programme includes a public event : the Crutzen Anthropocene Distinguished Lecture . This will be given by Thomas Stocker ML , a world-leading climate researcher . In the following panel discussion “ The Planet and Us – Dos and Don ’ ts ” current issues relating to climate research , sustainability , biodiversity and energy transition will be discussed . The conference will then be organised into a range of topics in which regional and supranational perspectives on climate change as well as sectoral transformations will be discussed , for example in the fields of energy , mobility , agriculture and construction .
The European Climate Conference seeks to build a bridge between interdisciplinary insights on the one hand and society , the economy and politics on the other . Climate change , its consequences and previous ( political ) transformation strategies will be classified scientifically and evaluated with a view to the future .
As a result , an attempt will be made to present the Warsaw Communiqué on Climate-Change Induced Transformations . This aims to promote science communication around the topic and improve decision-making for citizens , politics and the economy as a whole .
■ LB , SWE
European Climate Conference