Mission

Overall mission

The overall mission of the Max Planck Institute for Meteorology is to understand how physical, chemical, and biological processes, as well as human behaviour contribute to the dynamics of the Earth system, and specifically how they relate to global and regional climate changes.

Objectives

The objectives of the institute are therefore to undertake an analysis of the Earth´s composition and dynamics, focusing on the interactive physical, chemical and biological processes that define Earth System dynamics, and more specifically to develop and use the appropriate tools to investigate the complexity of the Earth system, explain its natural variability, assess how the system is affected by changes in land-use, industrial development, urbanization, and other human-induced perturbations. Among these tools are advanced numerical models that simulate the behaviour of the atmosphere, the ocean, the cryosphere and the biosphere, and the interactions between these different components of the Earth system. Climate models developed by the institute in the last decade will be expanded to capture biogeochemical and probably human processes and become comprehensive Earth System models (ESM). The MPI-M is committed to develop a comprehensive Earth System Model and make it available to a broad scientific community in Europe and elsewhere.

Climate research programmes often emphasize the need for better understanding the complex processes that govern the Earth system (modelling for understanding). With the progress made in the last years, including the development of modelling and of observational capabilities, climate anomaly predictions on timescales ranging from weeks or a season to even years became possible (modelling for societal benefit). MPI-M will contribute to international efforts to find the predictable portion of climate. In this regard, models could be used to assess the consequences of geo-engineering actions proposed to mitigate human-driven perturbations in the Earth system.

MPI-M´s role will be to integrate scientific information originating from different disciplines and to develop new knowledge of societal relevance through synthesis. To be successful, this approach will have to recognize the need for a multitude of intellectual ways of thinking and scientific methodologies (observations, modelling, data analysis), the presence of a staff team with different disciplinary backgrounds, the role of local, national and international cooperation and partnerships with other academic institutions and with the private sector, the importance of communication, the link between research and education, and the need for information of decision-makers and of the public.