Navigating Humanity’s Future on Earth
October 4th 20234pm BST
5pm CEST
11am EDT
8am PDT
The scientific evidence increasingly warns us all of the risk of destabilising the entire Earth system, ranging from risks related to unmanageable extreme climate events, to crossing of regional to global tipping points that can push the planet along trajectories of irreversible changes in life support systems and the functioning of the planet.
Two major challenges arise.
One, the need to recognise that Earth is a complex self-regulating system that requires a holistic approach where resilience of the system is determined by biosphere-geosphere.
A second major challenge is to recognise that a safe planet does not necessarily imply a just planet for all. Significant harm levels may hit people earlier than safety limits for the stability of Earth system functions, which was recently shown by the Earth Commission for climate change, nitrogen overload and aerosol loading.
This calls for a people-centric approach to planetary stability, and the need for collective Earth system governance for a world that develops within safe and just planetary boundaries.
Professor Johan Rockström
Director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact ResearchJohan Rockström is Director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research and Professor in Earth System Science at the University of Potsdam. He is an internationally recognized scientist on global sustainability issues and led the development of the Planetary Boundaries framework for human development in the current era of rapid global change. Professor Rockström is a leading scientist on global water resources, with more than 25 years experience in applied water research in tropical regions, and more than 150 research publications in fields ranging from applied land and water management to global sustainability. He is a member of the European Commission expert group: Mission Board for adaptation to climate change including societal transformation, chair of the Earth Commission, Chief Scientist of Conservation International, and an elected member of the German Academy of Sciences Leopoldina.
Nicola Jones
Event moderator and Director of the Springer Nature SDG Programme
As Director of the Springer Nature SDG Programme, Nicola Jones is responsible for coordinating the publishing activity across Springer Nature where it relates to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, in order to bring research that can contribute to achieving the Goals to the attention of those best placed to implement it.
Nicola is passionate about the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration for solving complex global problems, and the need for solid research evidence to inform policy and practice.
Be Curious is a new programme of events where leading experts share their thinking on the big issues facing our planet.
We’ve brought together some of the finest minds in academia to debate the pressing issues of the day and the role science is playing in providing solutions.
The events are only open to the external editorial teams of Springer Nature’s research journals. We have a series of leading speakers lined up over next few months plus regular updates from the world of Springer Nature.
Be Curious is part of a wider initiative by Springer Nature to engage with the 90,000 external editors of its academic journals. The engagement programme includes training and regular communications on Springer Nature developments.
How to sign up
Be Curious is an invitation-only event series. To register your attendance, please complete the registration form.