Scope for action in the Anthropocene: Leopoldina Conference “Crossing Boundaries in Science” in cooperation with the Max Planck Institute of Geoanthropology

Changes to the Earth’s climate, the severe decline in biodiversity, and the intense use of land, water and natural resources show the extent of humanity’s impact on the Earth’s biological, geological and atmospheric processes. Experts are already referring to the Anthropocene, the human epoch. Understanding the complex causes and processes of the Anthropocene and identifying and implementing effective actions are crucial for mitigating the negative effects of these developments. At the Leopoldina’s “Crossing Boundaries in Science” conference, which will take place from Monday 24 June to Wednesday 26 June in Jena/Germany, international scientists will participate in interdisciplinary discussions on causes, consequences and solutions in the Anthropocene. The event is also the opening conference of the new Max Planck Institute of Geoanthropology.

Symposium
“Crossing Boundaries 2024: The Anthropocene – Addressing its challenges for humanity – crossing the boundaries of science”
Monday 24 June to Wednesday 26 June 2024
Dorint Hotel Esplanade Jena, Carl-Zeiss-Platz 4, 07743 Jena, Germany, and online

Following the opening by Leopoldina President Professor (ETHZ) Dr Gerald Haug, the President of the Max Planck Society Professor Dr Patrick Cramer, Professor Dr Jürgen Renn, Founding Director of the Max Planck Institute of Geoanthropology, and Professor Dr Thomas Lengauer, Emeritus Scientific Member of the Max Planck Institute for Informatics in Saarbrücken/Germany, the event will focus on humanity’s impact on the Earth system, as well as the question as to how limited knowledge on this subject is. Key figures in the Anthropocene and their scope of action will be introduced and discussed over the next days of the conference. Experts from the natural and social sciences and the humanities will speak about economic, political and social control mechanisms as well as the responsibility of the individual. Speakers will include marine researcher Professor Dr Antje Boetius, biologist Professor Dr Katrin Böhning-Gaese, historian Professor Dr Dipesh Chakrabarty (virtual), system ecologist Professor Dr Johan Rockström, climatologist Professor Dr Jochem Marotzke, chemist and Vice-President of the Leopoldina Professor Dr Robert Schlögl and physicist Professor Dr Ricarda Winkelmann, Founding Director of the Max Planck Institute for Geoanthropology.

As part of the symposium, cultural historian Andrea Wulf will speak about the natural scientist Alexander von Humboldt in a public lecture on Monday evening. The English-language lecture “The Invention of Nature – Alexander von Humboldt’s New World” will begin at 7.30 p.m. at the Volkshaus Jena (Carl-Zeiss-Platz 15).

The conference is the third event in the “Crossing Boundaries in Science” (CBiS) series by the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina. The objective of the series is to discuss, at an early stage, the research areas which are particularly dependent on interdisciplinary cooperation.

This event is open to all interested parties and will also be livestreamed. The conference will take place in English. The complete programme and all information about the livestream can be found at:

Journalists who would like to attend should register by email at presse@leopoldina.org.

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About the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina
As the German National Academy of Sciences, the Leopoldina provides independent science-based policy advice on matters relevant to society. To this end, the Academy develops interdisciplinary statements based on scientific findings. In these publications, options for action are outlined; making decisions, however, is the responsibility of democratically legitimized politicians. The experts who prepare the statements work in a voluntary and unbiased manner. The Leopoldina represents the German scientific community in the international academy dialogue. This includes advising the annual summits of Heads of State and Government of the G7 and G20 countries. With around 1,700 members from more than 30 countries, the Leopoldina combines expertise from almost all research areas. Founded in 1652, it was appointed the National Academy of Sciences of Germany in 2008. The Leopoldina is committed to the common good.