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What Is Earth Systems Science?

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What is Earth Systems Science

Earth Systems Science (ESS) is the transdisciplinary analysis of the structure and functioning of the Earth as an adaptive, integrated system and the interactions between environmental (including geophysical), human, and technological systems. Its goal is to produce unified concepts and analytical frameworks that can address issues of global change in a holistic manner.

Global research in the ESS domain is driven largely by the need to better understand how Earth systems are reacting to and impacting humans, technologies, and infrastructure. ESS also seeks to understand implications to safety and security. It analyzes emerging risks and threat vectors toward enabling prediction, adaptation, and mitigation of undesirable consequences.

Last Updated: 04/10/2025
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