Climate, Energy and Nature in a Changing World

Humanity is facing a major challenge: climate change threatens the foundations of life. To preserve them, the fossil age must come to an end. An all-encompassing transformation is imminent that will lead to profound changes in production methods, the way of transportation and lifestyles. However, humanity is only at the beginning of the great change that may bring both benefits and inequalities. It is important to shape this change in an equitable and sustainable way, while protecting the environment and securing the future lives of people in all regions of the world.

The goal of the Potsdam Summer School (PSS) is to bring together talented young scientists and young professionals from the private sector, government agencies, and non-governmental organizations from different parts of the world to discuss frontier (research) issues related to future sustainable development. In doing so, the organizing institutions of the Potsdam Summer School promote international cooperation and an interdisciplinary exchange of ideas.

After all, combating climate change requires a joint and strong collaboration of the entire international community. The burdens and causes of climate change are unevenly distributed across the world - future generations will suffer more than their preceding generations.

The transformation of energy systems is one of the key factors for climate protection. Therefore, means of generating energy without fossil fuels must be developed and implemented.

The loss of biodiversity also threatens human living conditions. The examples of the polar and marine regions or the Amazon region show how important nature conservation is in addition to climate protection. At the same time, the upcoming transformation also includes a societal change.
The participants of the Potsdam Summer School will therefore develop effective strategies for solving the challenges in discussions and group work. At the same time, they will gain a comprehensive perspective and overview of the three aspects of a sustainable transformation:

• Climate
• energy
• nature

Participants will come into contact with a wide range of social sectors. The goal of the 10-day event series is to raise awareness of science and contribute to the development of informed opinions, as well as to enhance the transferable skills of researchers and practitioners. Experts, stakeholders and guest lecturers from national and international institutes and organizations will contribute their knowledge to the Summer School program, which consists of lectures, various discussion formats and interactive group work.

The call for applications will start on February 01, 2022. The deadline for submitting applications will be 15 May, 2022.The organisers intend to conduct the 10-day programme in a format whereby all participants and speakers will be present in Potsdam. Should it be the case that the overall situation regarding the current pandemic precludes in-person attendance the organisers will revert to a virtual format.

The Potsdam Summer School 2022 is organised jointly by the Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies (IASS), the Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research (AWI), the GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences, the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK), and the University of Potsdam in cooperation with Geo.X, the research network for geosciences in Berlin and Potsdam, and Potsdam, the Capital City of Brandenburg. Experts from national and international institutes and organisations contribute to the Summer School programme.

More information : https://potsdam-summer-school.org