![Wohnhaus in Halle (Saale)](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/medien/bilder/adobestock_2979962791.jpeg?h=b6b2a568&itok=CcsOZc5S)
Every tree betters our lives
Trees populating the urban landscape mitigate the impact of climate change on people. Yet trees themselves are suffering from the rise in temperature. Thus in designing truly healthy urban living spaces, people and trees must be considered together.
![In einem Wald brennt Holz, darüber raucht es](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/medien/bilder/adobestock_252169014_2600.jpg?h=b6b2a568&itok=dyK8j07t)
Climate change as a planetary boundary
Heat waves, floods, and droughts: Climate change is advancing globally, and its effects are also becoming increasingly noticeable in Germany. The risk of abrupt and irreversible changes to the Earth system rises with every tenth of a degree Celsius of additional warming. Even an increase of less than two degrees Celsius means vastly greater risks for society and the environment.
![Graphische Darstellung der Erdoberfläche](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/medien/bilder/4426654941_d92ba306e6_o_0.jpg?h=cdc848da&itok=FWF_wnPC)
How we observe planetary boundaries
Our planet has capacity limits for air pollution, biodiversity, the extent of climate change, and other factors. The concept of planetary boundaries defines these guardrails. It comprises nine categories that are crucial to the health and viability of human civilization. We have already overstepped some of these boundaries. How can we return to the safe zone?
![DLR vision of a future hydrogen economy in aviation (digital image)](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/medien/bilder/4790-dlr_exact_grafik_g_2600_header_0.jpg?h=b6b2a568&itok=jtO_1qT8)
Climate-friendly flight: Researchers are as busy as bees
Innovative aircraft models, synthetic alternatives to jet fuel, climate-preserving routes to destination airports: researchers are working on many approaches to making aviation more environmentally friendly. But for the foreseeable future, flight that is completely free of emissions will remain a dream.
![Banner "Climate Justice"](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/medien/bilder/adobestock_2816210271.jpeg?h=b6b2a568&itok=v2jtdvuG)
How can climate action be equitably organized?
Climate change affects all of us, but we are not all equally affected by its negative effects. Those who are already disadvantaged suffer most severely. How should current climate policy deal with this inequity? And what else should be done in addition?
![Die zerstörte, historische Bogenbrücke über die Ahr](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/medien/bilder/278425282.jpg.png?h=addfae1e&itok=a5wrLSKr)
One year after the flood
In the night of July 14-15, 2021, record flooding struck the Ahr valley, killing 134 people. One year later: What key measures have been implemented to handle flash flooding? In which areas has no progress, or only little progress, been made? Where do our adaptation strategies stand?
![Ein junger Buckelwal schwimmt unter der Wasseroberfläche](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/medien/bilder/adobestock_282588710_2592px.jpg?h=881f65d3&itok=saxvEi3Y)
Global leaders discuss ocean policy
Overfishing, acidification, warming, pollution, extinctions and rising sea levels: Our oceans are in critical condition. At the United Nations Ocean Conference in Lisbon and the G7, experts and politicians discussed solutions. What steps should countries take to protect the oceans, and how would this benefit the climate?
![Verschmutzung durch die Abgase von Autos in der Stadt im Winter. Abgase von Autos an einem kalten Wintertag.](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/medien/bilder/adobestock_247258123.jpeg?h=c94e937a&itok=6Oe2m0Lx)
“In climate policy, things don’t just happen by themselves”
Now that the EU parliament has voted to ban combustion engines starting in 2035, scientists are asking whether this measure is ambitious enough for reaching climate targets – and where problems for future negotiations might be.
![Ein Hurricane hat Häuser am Strand zerstört. Umgefallende Bäume liegen im Sand.](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/medien/bilder/adobestock_291360555.jpeg?h=5e08a8b6&itok=TX9busCi)
A Caribbean curse
The US weather agency NOAA has just released an alarming outlook for the 2022 hurricane season. According to the report, this year could be an especially intense hurricane year. NOAA cites climate change as the cause.