Position Paper Compiled by the Deutsches Klima-Konsortium (DKK) (German Climate Consortium) Presents Perspectives for Climate Research up to 2025

10.06.2015: In spite of enormous progresses in climate research there are still significant knowledge gaps in the understanding of important processes in the climate system and its reaction to human influence.On 10 June 2015, the Deutsches Klima-Konsortium (DKK) presents its position paper to the general public. This document outline future perspectives as to how the successful work of the German climate research consortium envisages proceeding during the coming ten years up to 2025.

This position paper has been jointly compiled by more than 80 scientists and experts on the invitation of the DKK and represents a consensus of leading climate and climate impact researchers. From the GFZ, one of the founding members, scientists from Department “Geodesy and Remote Sensing” and Department “Geomorphology, Hydrology and Paleoclimatology” have contributed as invited authors.

Highlighted in the position paper are three central topics which should be a key focus of science, society and politics, and to which German research can provide major contributions. These topics are: closing of gaps in the understanding of the climate system; ways to deal with climate risks, and the task of climate research in a democratic society, namely to develop improved forms of policy advice. The GFZ contributes among others to the chapter “Understanding Climate”, which focuses on the improvement of process understanding, with themes from paleoclimate research, Earth system modeling, satellite observation, and instrumental observation.The Deutsche Klima-Konsortium (DKK) represents key actors of the German climate and climate impact research.

Link to position paper for download (in German) is here.