ZMT - Leibniz Zentrum für Marine Tropenforschung

Why do we need Earth system models?

As climate change progresses, Earth system models, which simulate the interactions between the atmosphere, oceans, land surface, biosphere, and cryosphere, are essential for anticipating our planet’s future. These models underpin global climate assessments, inform policy, and support decision-making around risks such as sea-level rise or food insecurity. However, despite advances in computing and data, current models often fall short in representing regional dynamics and real-world complexity. The upcoming events aim to address these challenges by improving the understanding of ocean–climate interactions, advancing ocean biogeochemical modelling, and strengthening the representation of coastal and socio-economic systems in global models, especially in underrepresented regions of the Global South.

CELLO | 16 to 18 September 2025 | Hamburg

In the year of its 50th anniversary, the Max Planck Institute for Meteorology (MPI-M) focuses its Fifth International Conference on Earth System Modelling in Hamburg on the ocean. CELLO (Climate Exploration in Lively Liaison with the Ocean) brings together experts from around the world to explore current topics in ocean theory, observation, and modelling. Building on past achievements including those of Nobel Prize winner and MPI-M founding director Klaus Hasselmann, the participants will discuss the ocean’s role in climate dynamics. This concerns topics such as ocean turbulence, the interactions between the atmosphere, ocean, and ice, as well as new approaches to ocean modelling such as artificial intelligence. The organizers look forward to welcoming 220 participants, including numerous renowned scientists from leading institutes, to attend the three-day conference at Bucerius Law School.

natESM Workshop | 24 September 2025 | Hamburg

As part of Germany’s national Earth system modelling strategy (natESM), the German Climate Computing Center (DKRZ) will host a focus workshop on ocean biogeochemistry in Hamburg. The event brings together key researchers from the German ocean-biogeochemistry community, representatives from other natESM model components, as well as representatives of the Swiss ocean-biogeochemistry community. Its aim is to identify synergies, compare approaches, and discuss integration needs for a potential future inclusion of ocean biogeochemistry as an extended core component within the natESM system. This marks a structured starting point for strengthening collaboration between scientists, model developers, and research software engineers (RSEs) in this field.

TropEcS Symposium | 22 to 25 September 2025 | Bremen

The TropEcS Symposium will be hosted by the Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research (ZMT) in Bremen. TropEcS, which stands for Modelling socio-economic dimensions across Tropical Coastal Ecosystems and the Earth System, marks the launch of ZMT’s new research programme dedicated to this topic. The symposium will bring together around 100 participants, including international experts in climate science, oceanography, ecology, and socio-economic modelling, alongside early-career researchers and institutional partners. Together they will explore how tropical coastal regions – home to some of the world’s most vulnerable communities and valuable ecosystems – can be more effectively represented in global Earth system models. The initiative aims to develop a high-resolution modelling framework that integrates physical, ecological, and social dimensions to improve forecasts, inform policy, and support resilience in the Global South.

“Internationally renowned modellers are attending three key scientific meetings in Northern Germany this September,” says Dr Julian Lilkendey, coordinator of the TropEcS Symposium. “This is a unique opportunity for the modelling communities to rethink how we represent Earth system processes. Future models must go beyond physical feedbacks to better capture ecological tipping points, coastal vulnerabilities, and socio-economic dynamics – particularly those affecting communities in the Global South.” Prof. Dr. Raimund Bleischwitz, Scientific Director ZMT, adds: “ZMT looks forward to shaping future modelling efforts and strengthening our partnerships in the tropical Global South”.

Outlook

Together, these three events represent a coordinated and forward-looking step towards a new generation of Earth system models that are more spatially detailed, more inclusive, and more firmly rooted in ecological understanding. Each event contributes a unique perspective, from integrated ocean and climate modelling to biogeochemical processes and the complex dynamics of tropical coastal regions. They are united by a common goal: to strengthen the scientific foundations and practical relevance of Earth system modelling so that future models can more accurately reflect regional variability, biological feedbacks, and the social dimensions of global environmental change.

Contact MPI-M | Cello:
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CELLO Conference: https://cello-conference.de/
MPI-M: https://mpimet.mpg.de/

Contact DKRZ | natESM
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natESM Workshop: https://www.nat-esm.de/services/workshops-and-trainings/events/focus-workshop-ocean-biogeochemistry

Contact ZMT | TropEcS
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TropEcS Symposium: https://www.leibniz-zmt.de/en/news-at-zmt/events/tropecs-symposium.html