This book describes the latest advances at the Helmholtz Earth System Science Research School
where scientists from the Alfred Wegener Institute in Bremerhaven the University of Bremen
and the Jacobs University are involved in research. One of the greatest challenges is
understanding ongoing environmental changes. The longer the time scale the more components of
the Earth system are involved e.g. interannual and decadal variations are related to the
coupled atmosphere-ocean-sea ice system whereas longer variations like glacial-interglacial or
Cenozoic transitions involve the carbon cycle ice sheets and gateways. In order to get deep
insights into Earth system science observations remote sensing past environmental data as
well as modeling need to be integrated. These different approaches are traditionally taught in
separated disciplines at bachelor and master levels. It is therefore necessary to bring these
disciplines together in PhD programs.
