Ocean and Climate

Our climate is determined by the complex interactions between the atmosphere, the hydrosphere, the biosphere and the geosphere, and it is ultimately the basis of all life on our planet. The ocean is one of the components, especially on long time scales. In addition to natural fluctuations controlled by interactions of the various components and the astronomical boundary conditions, the ever-increasing influence of human activities has been contributing to the changes in the climate system since the end of the 19th century. As a result, the ocean is not only getting warmer, but the seawater is becoming more acidic, loses its oxygen, and the sea level is rising.

GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel is making an important contribution to a better understanding of the complex climate system. "Ocean and Climate" is one of the three central research topics at GEOMAR. The research spectrum ranges from natural climate fluctuations in the past to the detailed study of the current ocean system to the modelling of future climate states, which enables the assessment of possible consequences and the evaluation of climate protection and climate adaptation strategies. GEOMAR offers the best conditions for this: Scientists from a wide range of disciplines work together to investigate physical, chemical, biological or geological processes in the ocean in order to achieve a holistic view of the climate system and its changes and interactions with ecosystems.

News about Ocean and Climate

A group of people during a field trip
26.04.2024

Empowering Ocean Data: Hackathon on São Vicente

MarDATA project week develops digital innovations for Cabo Verde

A large research vessel at sea
15.04.2024

Above and Below Water: Understanding Human Impact on the Bay of Bengal

SONNE Expedition SO305 Creates First Comprehensive Dataset on Biogeochemistry

Deployment of a plankton net from research vessel ALKOR during a fisheries biology expedition in the Baltic Sea.
22.03.2024

Towards a healthier Baltic Sea

GEOMAR statement on the new Baltic Sea protection plan

Mesokosmen an der Kieler Förde
04.03.2024

Storing carbon dioxide with the help of the ocean – but safely

GEOMAR research provides important information for political decisions

The mesocosms are set up at the pier in front of the Kiel Aquarium for the experiment in the context of the Ocean AlkAlign project.
19.02.2024

The ocean as ally in climate protection: How does ocean alkalinity enhancement affect marine life?

Multi-week experiment of the international research project Ocean Alk-Align starts in Kiel