Innovation plays an important role in the fight against global warming. A tour of a few especially promising research projects.

The greenhouse gas emissions caused by an organization, a product or a person can be clearly visualized using its carbon footprint. Knowing the footprint’s size can stimulate developments towards sustainability.

Biodiversity and climate are closely interrelated. On the one hand, biodiversity plays a key role in ensuring that we live in a stable climate and that vital cycles function; on the other hand, changing temperatures have an impact on animal and plant species. How can climate protection and nature conservation be thought together?

Drained peatlands under agricultural use are responsible for seven percent of Germany's greenhouse gas emissions. Restoring drained peatlands turns them into carbon sinks. Paludiculture may create the necessary economic incentives for peatland restoration.

Offshore wind power is a source of carbon-neutral electricity. But wind turbines, like all industrial activities, have an impact on the ecosystem. Researchers are investigating how the North Sea’s flora and fauna react to the wind farms there.

If the global temperature increase is to be kept at a tolerable level (regardless of whether it’s 1.5 or 2 degrees), then there’s a theoretical limit to the amount of CO2 that can be released into the atmosphere. If we subtract the amount of carbon dioxide humanity has released into the atmosphere so far from the maximum tolerable amount, the remainder is the carbon budget we’re left with.

Global warming is also causing the water temperature in the North Sea to increase. This has consequences: some animal species are retreating or struggling with the changing conditions, while others are benefiting.

Molecules of carbon dioxide gas (CO2) consist of one carbon atom and two oxygen atoms. Carbon dioxide is a natural constituent of our air, but its concentration is very low. CO2 makes up only about 0.04 percent of the air by volume; air is mostly nitrogen and oxygen. That doesn’t sound like much, but CO2 still plays a very important role.

The global rise in sea level also affects the North Sea, which by 2100 could be a meter higher than it was a century ago. Dangerous storm surges will become more frequent as a result.