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The Helmholtz Association is the largest scientific organization in Germany. Every day, the 18 Helmholtz Centers dedicate themselves to the big questions of our time. They are characterized by their interdisciplinarity, excellent research and unique infrastructure. 46,000 employees work on the world of tomorrow in six thematic areas (Energy, Earth & Environment, Health, Information, Aeronautics, Space & Transport and Matter).
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Der Klimawandel stellt unsere Gesellschaft zunehmend vor komplexe Fragestellungen, die neue interdisziplinäre Ansätze verlangen. Dafür entwickeln alle 18 Helmholtz-Zentren in sechs Forschungsbereichen in unterschiedlichem Umfang wissenschaftsbasierte Lösungsansätze. Helmholtz KLIMA bereitet dieses Wissen auf und vernetzt Expert:innen mit Politik, Medien und Gesellschaft.
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Kompaktes Wissen in unseren
Lessons for the future
Paleoclimatologists investigate the climate of the past. Not only does that help us understand Earth’s history, it also tells us something about our planet’s future.
Laughing Gas’ Role in Climate Change
Carbon dioxide is not the only greenhouse gas – nitrous oxide also has a particularly strong effect. Its concentration in the atmosphere has been increasing for decades. This increase is due to the use of nitrogen fertilizer in agriculture, among other causes.
CO₂ capture and geological storage: opportunities outweigh risks
In Germany, technologies for capturing carbon dioxide and storing it underground (CCS) have been investigated and tested in pilot projects. Christoph Hilgers and Frank Schilling from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) argue that the nation's legal framework must be changed in order to implement industrial-scale projects.
Public perception of CO₂ capture and storage
Surveys show that public opinion about technologies for capturing and storing CO2 in Germany remains divided. Respondents are concerned that the focus on CCS can weaken climate policy, and they have doubts about the process’s safety. Appropriate measures can help to overcome these concerns, according to Danny Otto of the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ.
Facts about the climate: Sustainable heating with heat pumps
Around one third of all CO2 emissions in Germany are caused by space and water heating. Heat pumps can make an important contribution here. Switching from oil heating to a heat pump today can halve CO2 emissions. Powered by green electricity, heat pumps are even emission-free.
The mission: biodegradable plastics
Life as we live it would be impossible without plastics. But with their persistence, plastics are an enormous burden on the environment. Helmholtz researchers are working to resolve this conflict by searching for enzymes that break down plastic waste. A further goal is to bid farewell to oil by developing biodegradable plastics.
Fighting the climate crisis with technology
Innovation plays an important role in the fight against global warming. A tour of a few especially promising research projects.
What are carbon offsets?
Worldwide greenhouse gas emissions must be significantly reduced in order to limit global warming. From 2050 onward, human activities should only release as much greenhouse gas as is removed from the atmosphere by natural carbon sinks or technical means.
What is climate sensitivity?
A central question posed by climate research is how much warmer it will become on Earth if the concentration of greenhouse gases increases by a certain amount. One measuring rod for this is called climate sensitivity. In the following, we explain what this term means.
