Biodiversity and intact ecosystems are important stabilizing factors for the entire Earth system. However, human intervention in natural systems is threatening this ecological stability. Global diversity loss has accelerated such that we have already crossed this planetary boundary.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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?

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?

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?

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.