KIT contributes to the research program "Changing Earth - Sustaining our Future" in the Helmholtz Research Field Earth and Environment.

The atmosphere is the Earth's thin protective layer that shields us from harmful radiation, moderates temperature differences, and redistributes thermal energy, water, and pollutants: Almost all life depends on it. This protective function is maintained by delicate balances and is vulnerable to global changes in climate and land use. The main drivers of climate change are the radiative effects of greenhouse gases and aerosols, which affect the composition and impact of the atmosphere on all aspects of societal activities.

We are developing seamless observational and modeling techniques to unravel the complex interactions of climate change between the atmosphere, land surface, and ocean. As focal areas, we are investigating changes in air quality - globally and in urban areas - the internal causes and effects of climate change through feedbacks, and what kinds of weather and extremes we will need to prepare for in the future. Advances in these areas are paramount for reliably assessing the state of the Earth system and for predicting and projecting global changes on our future living conditions.

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Our research follows a holistic approach: we develop cross-scale observational and modeling solutions for improved atmospheric forecasts and regional climate projections with unprecedented resolution. We strive to observe, understand, and predict atmospheric phenomena and process chains from their origin to climate change impacts in the atmosphere, particularly in their interactions and feedbacks with the land surface, biosphere, cryosphere, oceans, and near-Earth space. Through our work, we can assess the physical, chemical, and socio-ecological consequences of atmospheric change and its impact on climate, extreme weather, and land ecosystem functioning.

In doing so, we increase knowledge to address societal challenges such as global warming, growing world population, land use change, air quality, water availability, and energy and mobility change. Our atmospheric and climate observation and modeling activities provide the scientific basis of sustainable development strategies for the benefit of society, ecosystems, and climate mitigation and adaptation combined with economic risk reduction.

1230Horvath, AWI
Landscape classification and reforestation

Relationship between the success of reforestation projects in Africa and the quality of small-scale landscape ecosystem classification. Forwarding to sciencemediacenter.de

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1228Jonas Zilius, KIT
Climate change in Europe

Consequences in Bavaria: longer and more frequent dry spells, stress on ecosystems and influence on economic developments. Interview with Prof. Dr. Harald Kunstmann. Forwarding to www.br.de

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1226Crossmedia, KIT
Increase in climate risks

Increasing extreme weather events and their consequences for the environment, the economy and social life. Prof. Dr. Harald Kunstmann on the regional effects. Forwarding to www.br.de

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1223Mohr
Hailstorms in South America and Australia

Valuable data for the insurance industry: Satellite data is used to estimate the spatial distribution and return periods of hail.

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1219Hyunju Jung
New insights into disagreement between models about tropical rainfall

A simple diagnostic tool elucidates why mean rainfall differs in tropical aquachannel simulations with different configurations

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