Earth Systems Science
Photo of Kaieteur Falls, Guyana, by Graham Watkins
The Earth System is the unified set of physical, chemical, biological and social components, processes and interactions that together determine the state and dynamics of Planet Earth, including its biota and its human occupants. Earth System Science is the study of the Earth System, with an emphasis on observing, understanding and predicting global environmental changes involving interactions between land, atmosphere, water, ice, biosphere, societies, technologies and economies. The Earth Systems Science Partnership embraces four of the key institutions that are working to understand the ways of the biosphere and of Gaia - Diversitas, the International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme, the International Human Dimensions Programme, and the World Climate Research Programme.
