In general research activities at PIK are now organised in new transdisciplinary projects appropriated temporarily and independent from departments. Serious challenges arise from the complexity of the systems considered, from the necessity of truly interdisciplinary research which they imply, from the absense of a comprehensive data base, and from the fact that most of the pursued research activities rely heavily on computational modeling. Examples are the continuing release of fossil fuel combustion products into the atmosphere, large-scale changes in land cover, and variations in solar luminosity. A meteorite impact or a major volcanic eruption are further examples of singular events. Singular events are characterised by a major impact or change occurring over a relatively short time, in contrast to a gradual trend.
Singular events can have a particularly damaging effect on natural and socio-economic systems.
Global Change results from the interaction of the anthroposphere and the ecosphere. On the human side, proximate causes are visible e.g. in the commercial energy system, in world-wide urban dynamics, in the role of capital markets for overall economic development. Indirect causes may be found in institutional arrangements, in value orientations, and in patterns of knowledge. Presently, global socio-economic dynamics is constrained to paths which are not sustainable. We investigate characteristics and causes of these constraints, possibilities for their future evolution, and opportunities to achieve a transition to sustainability.