The atmospheric methane burden has grown rapidly since 2007, with remarkable increases in the 2020s . The parallel sharp isotopic decline in the proportion of 13CH4 suggests growth is primarily driven by biological sources, including climate-warming feedbacks from natural wetlands and also human-driven agricultural sources (Michel, et al. PNAS 121: e2411212121. 2024). New radiocarbon monoxide results (Morgenstern et al. Nature Comm 16: 249, 2025) imply increasing atmospheric oxidizing capacity and thus higher methane emissions. There may be evidence a major climate transition is already in progress (Nisbet et al. Glob.Biogeo.Cycl. 37: e2023GB007875, 2023).
The Union session will outline the scientific evidence for recent changes in the methane budget, and summarise progress in quantification and mitigation methods. Methane’s rapid new growth challenges the Paris Agreement. Rapid progress is being made in quantifying oil and gas, coal, and landfill emissions, and in learning how to mitigate them. Less progress is being made in reducing emissions from agriculture.
Presentations from James France, Semra Bakkaloglu, Thomas Röckmann, and Euan Nisbet will consider why growth is taking place, the impact of climate feedbacks, and what our mitigation responses should be, in the context of the Paris Agreement and the Global Methane Pledge. The symposium will also include a panel discussion with speakers and convenors, and a 30 minute Q&A session for audience discussion.


All opinions, statements, and questions, either from the panel or the audience, are the speakers’ own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Geosciences Union (EGU), our conference organizer Copernicus or the Austria Center Vienna, but have been shared here in the name of supporting open, transparent, and unedited discussion on this topic.

With the increasing urgency to limit global temperature rise to below 2ºC by the end of this century, we cannot rely on decreasing emissions but will have to develop, test and upscale methods for active carbon dioxide removal from the atmosphere. The United Nations Ocean Decade aims to use and increase the ocean’s potential for CO2 uptake using natural or eco-engineering approaches. Those approaches include, but are not limited to, ocean negative carbon emissions (ONCE) that constitute land-ocean boundaries and open marine ecosystems via the integrations of diverse carbon pumps (biological carbon pump, microbial carbon pump, solubility pump and carbonate counter pump). A better understanding of the mechanisms underpinning these pumps would help guide eco-engineering approaches that hold promises for carbon sequestration in sea-farming fields, by ocean alkalinity enhancement, or through other innovative practices. To ensure transparency among the ocean research community, governmental officials and stakeholders, it is imperative to responsibly consider the potential outcomes from these eco-engineering designs. This will also call for a code of conduct that can be continuously updated to ensure prudent implementation of emerging ocean negative carbon emission technologies, aligning with the acceptability and feasibility standards of the research community and the public. Through this Union Symposium, we invite the European Geoscience Community to support, engage with, or supervise the global goal to facilitate ocean carbon negative emissions, striving for a sustainable ocean future beyond the UN Ocean Decade.


All opinions, statements, and questions, either from the panel or the audience, are the speakers’ own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Geosciences Union (EGU), our conference organizer Copernicus or the Austria Center Vienna, but have been shared here in the name of supporting open, transparent, and unedited discussion on this topic.

The proposed Union Symposia at EGU25 will focus on the critical balance between top-down and bottom-up approaches in hazard risk and disaster management, with an emphasis on how trust influences risk perception and community engagement in resilience efforts. Previous EGU Great Debates have largely centered on scientific research needs, often sidelining the voices of affected communities. This session aims to shift the focus, exploring how scientists, policy-makers, and practitioners can work together to integrate local knowledge and foster community-driven resilience. The debate will examine the role of trust in shaping risk perception and how scientists can build credibility with communities to improve disaster preparedness.

Bringing together diverse stakeholders—including policy-makers, practitioners, and scientists—the session will encourage an inclusive dialogue about the challenges and opportunities in disaster management. The interactive format will foster cross-disciplinary discussions on balancing centralized decision-making with community empowerment while exploring how trust can enhance cooperation between experts and local populations. By incorporating lessons from ongoing EU resilience initiatives, the symposia will generate actionable insights and policy recommendations, contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of disaster resilience that aligns with both scientific advancement and community needs.


All opinions, statements, and questions, either from the panel or the audience, are the speakers’ own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Geosciences Union (EGU), our conference organizer Copernicus or the Austria Center Vienna, but have been shared here in the name of supporting open, transparent, and unedited discussion on this topic.

Water is the key resource of our world. Societies, economies and all natural systems depend on the availability and the quality of water. Climate change and unsustainable use pose a threat and bring scientific and societal challenges to tackle in the coming years. Water extremes, such as drought and flood, are intensifying while complex events are emerging. These extremes are characterised by high risk as they can affect all economic and financial systems, the functioning of ecosystems and the services they provide, and trigger propagating cascading effects and shocks. Unsustainable use of and dependency on water resources is deteriorating further these fast-evolving conditions and the risks they bring.
Addressing water resilience needs an innovative systemic approach building on novel scientific evidence and data, societal engagement and policy actions. This session will bring together panelists from all these different areas to discuss the complexity of the topic, bring in the recent outcome of international efforts (e.g. Drought+10 Resilience Conference and the UNCCD Cop16) and shed light on possible path to a resilient future.


All opinions, statements, and questions, either from the panel or the audience, are the speakers’ own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Geosciences Union (EGU), our conference organizer Copernicus or the Austria Center Vienna, but have been shared here in the name of supporting open, transparent, and unedited discussion on this topic.

One of the greatest risks to our security is the impact of climate change. Extreme weather continues to ravage ever greater areas of Europe through floods, fires and droughts, throughout the year and across the European Union. The EU's new strategic agenda for 2024-2029 states that it will strengthen its resilience, preparedness, crisis prevention and response capacities in an all-hazards and whole-of-society approach to protect its citizens and societies against different crises, including disasters.

The EU funds research & innovation through Horizon Europe projects but also with multiple other instruments and channels. The needs of the EU, reflecting those of its Member States, for scientific output to address and support disaster risk reduction policy, prevention & preparedness capacity-building, and emergency operations are continuous. These gaps are reflected in policy or operational documentation, such as the political guidelines for the next European Commission 2024-2029 and the Union's Disaster Resilience Goals. Among others, we should look at all facets of crisis and disaster management, along community resilience building.

This session aims to create a dialogue between EU-wide policy-based scientific needs for Disaster Resilience and the scientific community of the EGU. It will inform the scientific community how to interpret the latest policy documentation in orienting their research and funnel their planning and output back to the EU's needs to have an impact and added value for society. The European Commission will be represented by the DG for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations as well as DG Joint Research Centre.


All opinions, statements, and questions, either from the panel or the audience, are the speakers’ own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Geosciences Union (EGU), our conference organizer Copernicus or the Austria Center Vienna, but have been shared here in the name of supporting open, transparent, and unedited discussion on this topic.

Measurements and observations are essential to the development and advancement of understanding in the geosciences. Measurements are also critical to the detection and quantification of long term change and short term hazards, at a time when non-stationarity in Earth systems is increasing and extreme events are occurring daily. For many regions and domains however, observational networks are lacking, while the need for information is increasing due to growing human populations, intensifying geopolitical pressures and Earth’s rapidly changing climate.
Happily, at a time where the need for observational information is greatest, so too are the opportunities. New observational tools ranging from advanced spaceborne sensors delivering global high resolution data, to a proliferation of ultra-low-cost sensors all present new opportunities. High performance computing, artificial intelligence, machine learning and data assimilation can streamline workflows and deliver new insights from novel and established sources. The re-analysis of historical records, often through shared effort, can improve understanding of past events and conditions. The opportunistic repurposing of existing sensor technologies is leading to exciting and cost-effective new opportunities for monitoring and observations.
To ensure the long term success of the geosciences, and the health of our planet, it is imperative that advances in measurement science continue and that knowledge and information is shared effectively within our community, and beyond.
The hosts and invited speakers from a range of science and technology disciplines in this Union-wide session will showcase the most exciting advances in measurement, monitoring and observational tools and data systems, and look to the future to see what new possibilities exist. We will explore how innovations from outside of the geoscience domain can bring benefit to our work and how our community can drive the development of new tools and techniques.
The speakers will explore pathways and obstacles to innovation, and help the audience identify opportunities to advance observational methods across the geosciences.
The session will energise the community to realise the unprecedented opportunities that now exist, and will be of interest and relevance to everyone obtaining or using measurements and observations across all scientific divisions.

And remember, making measurements is always more fun…!


All opinions, statements, and questions, either from the panel or the audience, are the speakers’ own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Geosciences Union (EGU), our conference organizer Copernicus or the Austria Center Vienna, but have been shared here in the name of supporting open, transparent, and unedited discussion on this topic.

Fieldwork is central to most geoscientists´ education and research practice. Work in the field has traditionally been the backbone of geoscientific data collection and is shaping the image of geoscientists´ identity and skills. However, fieldwork can also be considered problematic as it currently limits who can and will participate in our research field. With digitalization and remote instrumentation, fieldwork as a core requirement can even be up for debate.

Fieldwork is where cultures around physical and psychological safety are created. In the last few years, awareness of discrimination, inside and outside academia, has been growing, with fieldwork being an area where vulnerabilities are amplified. Issues with gender inequality, inclusivity of LGBTQIA+ scientists and students and geopolitical restrictions are even more critical in remote locations, when requiring international travel or overnight stays. Requirements and expectations for fieldwork also presents unique challenges for researchers with caregiving responsibilities.

Some institutions have developed codes of conduct or best practice routines, but these are not yet widely used or discussed. Routines for physical and mental safety in the field are typically developed locally and the responsibility and support structures for development as well as implementation vary widely.

This symposium aims to discuss the roles we as scientists can take in shaping the conversations around fieldwork. We aim to foster a dialogue among researchers sharing their experiences and strategies for coping and continue to raise awareness and highlight the potential actions of researchers at every level to create a safe and inclusive environment in the field. Different aspects to be discussed are 1) Is fieldwork still a core necessity for geoscientists? 2) How can we develop more inclusive field practices and what institutional actions and support mechanisms are needed to create a safer and more inclusive field environment? 3) What do effective practices look like for integrating fieldwork and parenting into future research planning and funding frameworks? 4) Field teaching or fieldwork for research – do we treat the situations differently?

We will use this symposium as a platform aimed to generate community, share experiences and discuss what structures can be put in place, for example through EGU, EU funding programs and research councils to support this.


All opinions, statements, and questions, either from the panel or the audience, are the speakers’ own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Geosciences Union (EGU), our conference organizer Copernicus or the Austria Center Vienna, but have been shared here in the name of supporting open, transparent, and unedited discussion on this topic.

The session will begin with an overview of the present state of gender diversity in the geosciences. Statistics and studies will be discussed demonstrating the underrepresentation of women, non-binary, and gender-diverse people in the discipline. Such contextual presentation provides the basis to explore in greater detail the systemic barriers maintaining such limited diversity: biased hiring practices, workplace culture, and career advancement opportunities. Participants will be invited to consider how these issues manifest in their own institutions and professional experiences.

Central to the session will be the sharing of lived experiences from geoscientists. These individual stories will provide valuable information on specific challenges faced by geoscientists of diverse gender, including solo status within a research group, navigating mentorship, and how microaggressions and discrimination inhibit career progression.

Besides pointing out challenges, the session will be dedicated to strategies and initiatives that have been employed for successfully promoting gender diversity in the geosciences. These would include discussion of programs that would help facilitate recruitment and retention efforts amongst women and gender diverse groups, such as mentorship networks, diversity scholarships, and targeted outreach. This session will also consider how policies and practices interact with one another to influence and provide an inclusive workplace culture, including flexible work arrangements, anti-discrimination training, and use of inclusive language at work.

A significant aspect that is to be discussed is that of intersectionality: how gender intersects with other dimensions of identity, such as race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and disability, in influencing the experiences of geoscientists. The session will examine how the compounding of intersecting identities exacerbates burdens on underrepresented groups and the need to incorporate these factors into the formulation of strategies for inclusivity.

The session will be concluded by a call to action. This may include anything from the highly influential, such as reasoned lobbying for policy changes and supporting initiatives that promote diversity, to becoming more aware of one's own biases and how these may impact colleagues. This is aimed at equipping the participants with knowledge and tools to help them actively contribute toward a more inclusive and fair geoscience community.


All opinions, statements, and questions, either from the panel or the audience, are the speakers’ own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Geosciences Union (EGU), our conference organizer Copernicus or the Austria Center Vienna, but have been shared here in the name of supporting open, transparent, and unedited discussion on this topic.

There is increasing evidence for a prevalence of mental health disorders in researchers globally, especially in early-career scientists (ECS). Geosciences are no exception, with a recent survey reporting high rates of anxiety, depression, burnout and panic attacks in marine ECS.These are often signs of deep-rooted systemic problems of the academic system.
Many facets, from high competitiveness, to publish-or-perish philosophy and precarious careers can lead to poor work-life balance and place additional stressors on researchers with underlying psychological conditions. Geoscientists also face additional mental stressors, for example challenging field work or climate grief. Hostile working environments, abuse of power, sexism and discrimination further exacerbate the complexity and intersectionality of these issues leading to unwelcoming and toxic environments. Depression and anxiety are more prevalent in women and transgender researchers. The mental health crisis in the geosciences thus intersects with the lack of diversity in academia and low prioritisation of equality and inclusion. In spite of being a widespread issue, mental health is seldom present in the discourse about EDI (Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion) in academia. Very few researchers feel safe to speak openly about mental disorders or chronic illness due to fears about future career perspectives, or lack of understanding and judgement by peers.
Here we want to discuss the challenges and opportunities in opening the discourse on mental health and wellbeing in the geosciences. How do lack of awareness, misperceptions and stigma on mental illness shape our current working environments? How do stressors change across the different career stages? And what are those specific to geosciences? How much is this crisis caused by a lack of diversity in academia and how might this lack of representation in turn fuel this crisis because of increased attrition rates among under-represented groups? Can a more positive and inclusive academic environment contribute to stopping the decline in disruptive and innovative research and promote EDI in the geosciences?
We will invite experts in mental illness and stigma research, and colleagues who will share their stories, challenges and success stories in dealing with and overcoming stigma in their workplace. With this, we aim to stimulate a broad discussion to identify needs, best practices and ways forward for a more humane geosciences research community.


All opinions, statements, and questions, either from the panel or the audience, are the speakers’ own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Geosciences Union (EGU), our conference organizer Copernicus or the Austria Center Vienna, but have been shared here in the name of supporting open, transparent, and unedited discussion on this topic.

As our understanding of the solar system expands, so does our curiosity about the potential for life beyond Earth. This Union Symposium aims to bring together leading experts to discuss the latest research and ideas on the habitability of other worlds within our solar system. The symposium will focus on key celestial bodies such as Mars, Europa, Ganymede, Enceladus, and Titan, which have emerged as prime candidates in the search for environments that might support life.

The panel will delve into novel and cutting-edge research on the factors that could make these worlds habitable, addressing critical questions such as:
• What makes a planet habitable?
• What is the significance of liquid water, both on the surface and in subsurface oceans, in creating and sustaining habitable environments on other celestial bodies?
• How does geological activity contribute to maintaining environments that could potentially support life beyond Earth?
• What are the possibilities for life to exist in extreme conditions, such as high radiation levels and extreme temperatures, on other worlds in our solar system?
• How can comparative analysis of planetary environments help us define the boundaries and requirements for habitability across different celestial bodies?
• What future missions and technological advancements could offer new insights into the habitability of other celestial bodies within our solar system?
• How does research into habitability benefit society?

This symposium will provide a platform for interdisciplinary discussion, drawing on expertise from planetary science, astrobiology, geology, and atmospheric science. The session will be structured as a moderated panel discussion of invited experts who are at the forefront of this research. These panelists will share their insights, engage in a dynamic discussion, and respond to questions from the audience, fostering a collaborative exploration of this critical topic.

The goal of this Union Symposium is to bridge the gap between different disciplines and encourage the sharing of ideas and perspectives that could lead to a deeper understanding of habitability within our solar system. This discussion is not only vital for the scientific community but also holds significant implications for future space exploration and the search for life beyond our planet.


All opinions, statements, and questions, either from the panel or the audience, are the speakers’ own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Geosciences Union (EGU), our conference organizer Copernicus or the Austria Center Vienna, but have been shared here in the name of supporting open, transparent, and unedited discussion on this topic.

Digital technologies — including artificial intelligence (AI)/machine learning, digital twins, and extended reality — can bring benefits across the geosciences. For example, AI can be used to process large climate data sets, support detection, causation, and attribution of climate impacts, and provide climate services. Digital twins can enable us to monitor and simulate large-scale processes and their interactions. Finally, the use of extended reality to integrate observations into decision making has been explored in several areas such as natural hazards, disaster risk reduction, and spatial sciences.
In this debate, we will discuss:
- How feasible is it for domain experts to stay up to date with digital technology?
- How well should a domain expert understand the digital technology that they are applying?
- How can we keep the balance between our understanding of the processes and dynamics of our discipline and the potential of digital technology?
- As digital technology enables certain regions of the globe to prosper, how do we ensure that we are not leaving other parts of the globe behind?
For the latter, we will look at initiatives to fill data and communication gaps, to support digital education, and to develop best practices and standards.


All opinions, statements, and questions, either from the panel or the audience, are the speakers’ own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Geosciences Union (EGU), our conference organizer Copernicus or the Austria Center Vienna, but have been shared here in the name of supporting open, transparent, and unedited discussion on this topic.

Large Language Models (LLMs) and other advanced AI tools are reshaping how researchers and practitioners approach data analysis, synthesis, and communication across Geosciences. This Great Debate at the EGU General Assembly 2025 aims to critically examine the impact of LLMs in fields such as Seismology, Atmospheric Sciences, and Earth and Space Science Informatics. As these models grow increasingly capable of interpreting complex datasets, generating predictive models, and even drafting research manuscripts, they raise profound questions about their role and limitations in scientific workflows.
The discussion will address key issues, such as the potential of LLMs to accelerate discovery through data-driven insights, their capacity to support real-time decision-making during natural hazards, and the ethical considerations of AI-generated content in peer-reviewed publications. Are LLMs a transformative tool that can bridge knowledge gaps and facilitate interdisciplinary research, or do they risk introducing bias, reducing transparency, and undermining traditional scientific rigour? The panel will provide diverse perspectives on these questions.
We will also address the need for proper training, education, and guidelines to avoid misuse.


All opinions, statements, and questions, either from the panel or the audience, are the speakers’ own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Geosciences Union (EGU), our conference organizer Copernicus or the Austria Center Vienna, but have been shared here in the name of supporting open, transparent, and unedited discussion on this topic.

Panelists and Speakers

Sabine Gollner (Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research)

Richard Herrington (Natural History Museum, London, UK)

Telmo Morato (Okeanos Research Institute, University of the Azores)

Ingeborg Rønning (Keep Norway Clean, Oslo)

Pradeep Singh (Oceano Azul Foundation, and Research Institute for Sustainability, GFZ, Potsdam)

Abstract

Paradigm shifts are by definition untested. They confront the status quo based on new evidence or new discoveries and form the basis for change. Real, constructive change, however, must be bigger than the likes of us, must be comprehensive and inclusive of others and, most importantly, must examine and quantify cause-and-effect in advance of implementation. Predicting Earth’s future is no longer possible using the natural sciences alone. We must include social sciences and the arts.

Deep-sea mining will not eliminate land-based mining, nor will it resolve poverty as the poorest of humanity dig in the mud, hand-filling and carrying impossible sacks of slurry and ore-bearing rock on bare backs. Such artisanal operations are lethal, if not through accidents, then through truncated workers’ lifespans on exposure to toxic metals, notably mercury, closely associated with gold mining. Nevertheless, steps forward are being taken to improve working conditions.

Deep-sea mining on a continental shelf or shallow underwater ridge will have uniquely different consequences than deep sea ploughing of gargantuan expanses of unconsolidated abyssal sediment to comb together and raise polymetallic (Co-Ni-Cu) nodules growing over tens of millions of years at thousands of meters water depth. Neither locality has been appropriately tested. Most agree it is essential to evaluate in advance the effects of mining on fragile and remote ecosystems which we barely understand. Perhaps a better quantification of river deterioration from artisanal mining could be made before jumping wholesale into the sea where 70% of our planet’s surface is stored out of view.

Deep-sea mining will remove chemosynthetic life support, throwing our planet’s primary food chain into chaos. Extraction of metalliferous deep-sea nodules is unsustainable on the human time scale. Will humanity’s great 21st century experiment for green energy be our legacy as we leave marine life choking on dredged waste material, and create a seafloor that cannot re-establish its biota?


All opinions, statements, and questions, either from the panel or the audience, are the speakers’ own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Geosciences Union (EGU), our conference organizer Copernicus or the Austria Center Vienna, but have been shared here in the name of supporting open, transparent, and unedited discussion on this topic.

Research fundings enable Europe to drive innovation, address societal challenges, and maintain global competitiveness. While the value and benefit of applied research is relatively easy to understand for policymakers and the public, the link between fundamental research and societal value is less evident for them. As a consequence, it is increasingly clear that Europe lags behind other major powers in terms of investment in transformative frontier research and that this threatens its future.
Horizon Europe, the main research funding programme available to researchers based in EU member states and associated countries, is one of the key drivers of innovation in Europe. Not only does it fund research that aims to address our societal challenges, such as climate change, but the results of Horizon Europe funded projects often lead to unexpected discoveries, to unforeseen impact and even to solve upcoming new challenges. This impact is widely recognised and highlighted by the European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, mentioning the need to promote competitiveness through “invention and ingenuity” as part of the Commission guidelines for the coming years.
However, does the European Union and its member states have the mechanisms required to transfer this new knowledge into tangible applications and for supporting evidence-based policies?
This Great Debate will explore the procedures to bring research results closer to policy, economy and society.
Involvement of researchers in policymaking and other societal actions appears to be limited, often not well recognised, and not easily accessible. In addition, the interest in specific projects usually fades away after their termination whereas the repercussion of obtained results may only arrive later. Knowledge hub, government Scientific Advisory Boards or Science Advice Mechanisms are not systematically in place across Europe.
During this session, panellists from European research funding, scientific, and policy communities will debate: How can individual researchers contribute effectively in societal and policy actions? Which mechanisms should be created to facilitate the harnessing of research results? Should the use of research results be left in the hands of dedicated professionals (e.g., officers at the research institutions)? What is the role of Scientific Advisory Boards? And where is research budget best invested?


All opinions, statements, and questions, either from the panel or the audience, are the speakers’ own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Geosciences Union (EGU), our conference organizer Copernicus or the Austria Center Vienna, but have been shared here in the name of supporting open, transparent, and unedited discussion on this topic.

Many in the scientific field are feeling a sense of urgency to communicate crucial issues that are impactful on society, but struggle with the challenge of best practices to convey that information in a way that inspires collaboration, rather than despair in the community. With a growing challenge of upholding the validity of scientific research against misinformation, there are instances where some scientists may choose to remain siloed in their approach without involving the broader public. What is holding scientists back from stepping out of the bubble and showcasing their progress to help resolve various issues? How can we find better solutions to confront the social responsibility that scientists must effectively communicate their science to the public?


All opinions, statements, and questions, either from the panel or the audience, are the speakers’ own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Geosciences Union (EGU), our conference organizer Copernicus or the Austria Center Vienna, but have been shared here in the name of supporting open, transparent, and unedited discussion on this topic.

Many of the challenges of today raise difficult questions about what the role of scientists should be in relation to issues from climate change and Net Zero policies to implementation of nature-based solutions to reduce risk of flooding, drought and diffuse pollution. Scientists working in such areas are understandably passionate about their areas of research and practice and there is a strong temptation to be active in promoting certain policies and action. However, there is a real tension between the need for objectivity as a scientist and pursuing an activist agenda. Is it possible to do both without compromising our integrity as scientists? This debate will explore this tension in conversation between the audience and an expert panel. Come along, hear the arguments and have your say!

All opinions, statements, and questions, either from the panel or the audience, are the speakers’ own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Geosciences Union (EGU), our conference organizer Copernicus or the Austria Center Vienna, but have been shared here in the name of supporting open, transparent, and unedited discussion on this topic.

The Open Access movement has been recognized as a powerful and successful way of addressing inequities in the way research results are distributed. However, some publishers use the open access model to publish an excessive number of papers solely to increase their revenue. These publishers take advantage of the prevalent academic “publish or perish” culture, which leads to a vicious cycle that undermines scientific integrity. As a consequence, “publish or perish” has contributed to the proliferation of predatory publishing practices that lead to a large number of publications of low scientific quality. Such flawed papers often do not show evidence of rigorous peer review, which is a cornerstone of scientific quality assurance in publications. Breaking the cycle of the commercially-focused interests of publishers and the publishing pressure on scientific scholars require concerted actions by scientists, institutions, funders and publishers. How can these actors jointly address the challenges to uphold scientific quality in publications? How can scientists meet institutional publishing requirements while ensuring their papers are both societally relevant and scientifically meaningful? Can alternative publishing models help solving these problems? Join us in this Great Debate to discuss strategies to prioritize scientific quality over commercial interests in the rapidly evolving landscape of scientific publishing.


All opinions, statements, and questions, either from the panel or the audience, are the speakers’ own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Geosciences Union (EGU), our conference organizer Copernicus or the Austria Center Vienna, but have been shared here in the name of supporting open, transparent, and unedited discussion on this topic.

The first months of this year have seen extreme actions at an unprecedented scale and speed by the new administration in the USA with regards to science, targeting among others climate and environmental research, essential for the health of our planet. These radical decisions will prove harmful for people all around the world. Large numbers of scientists, in particular Early-Career scientists, have lost their jobs, significant amounts of funding have been withheld or withdrawn, and entire programmes and institutes have been closed. Students have been forced to abandon their education program and studies.

Suppression of science leading to discovery anywhere in the world by governments is a tragedy that affects us all. But when drastic actions are taken by a nation that was previously a source of leadership and resources for many pioneering research programmes, the impact of that loss resonates worldwide, and well beyond the scientific community.

In this late-breaking interactive session, we will discuss the global impact of these attacks on science, and how the global geoscience community should respond. In the current political context, how can we make sure that datasets of inestimable value, built from continuous, long-term, observations and research, continue to grow and remain accessible? How can we assure that scientists can work on subjects of their choice, follow the data, and freely communicate their results anywhere in the world? How can we secure evidence-based policy making for global climatic and environmental threats?

We aim to have this conversation with individuals and organisations who are directly impacted, as well as with global geoscience leaders who ponder the appropriate course of action.


All opinions, statements, and questions, either from the panel or the audience, are the speakers’ own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Geosciences Union (EGU), our conference organizer Copernicus or the Austria Center Vienna, but have been shared here in the name of supporting open, transparent, and unedited discussion on this topic.

This session contains the 2025 EGU Augustus Love medal lecture by Neil Ribe and GD Division Outstanding ECS Award Lecture by Iris van Zelst.
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The Christiaan Huygens Medal, awarded annually by the European Geosciences Union (EGU) through its Geosciences Instrumentation and Data Systems (GI) Division, recognizes significant contributions in geoscientific instrumentation and data systems.
The 2025 recipient is Dr. Francesco Soldovieri, honored for his exceptional work in electromagnetic sensing and its applications. Dr. Soldovieri, Director of the Institute for Electromagnetic Sensing of the Environment (IREA) at the National Research Council (CNR) in Naples, Italy, has advanced radar data processing methodologies for applications spanning archaeology, cultural heritage diagnostics, geophysics, infrastructure monitoring, and security. His research, emphasizing electromagnetic modeling and inversion approaches, has enhanced non-invasive subsurface exploration techniques, benefiting the preservation of archaeological sites.
Dr. Soldovieri has authored over 260 journal articles and contributed to more than 370 conference proceedings, covering topics such as ground-penetrating radar (GPR), radar imaging, inverse scattering, and bioradar technologies. His innovative work has significantly influenced the use of GPR in various disciplines.
A key figure in the scientific community, Dr. Soldovieri has served as General Chair of the International Workshop on Advanced Ground Penetrating Radar (2007) and Co-Chair of the Ground Penetrating Radar Conference (2010). He is also a member of the editorial boards of prominent journals like IEEE Transactions on Computational Imaging and IEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing.
The special session for the EGU Christiaan Huygens Medal 2025 will feature Dr. Soldovieri’s lecture, where he will present insights from his extensive research and discuss future directions in electromagnetic sensing technologies. This session celebrates his achievements and fosters knowledge exchange to drive advancements in geoscientific instrumentation and data systems.

In this session the Stratigraphy Sedimentology and Paleontology Division (SSP) celebrates the Jean Baptiste Lamarck Medal. This year the SSP Jean Baptiste Lamarck Medal has been awarded to Donald Ross Prothero for his contribution in the field of stratigraphy and paleontology. A lecture by Donald Ross Prothero will be part of this session.

In this session there will be the NP Division Outstanding ECS Award Lecture by Johannes Jakob Lohmann followed by a ceremony in memory of Vincenzo Carbone and delivery of the Lewis Fry Richardson Medal to his family or colleagues.

The Runcorn-Florensky Medal Lecture at EGU25 honors an individual whose work has made outstanding contributions to planetary and solar system sciences, spanning research into planetary bodies, surface and atmospheric processes, and extraterrestrial environments. This distinguished medal lecture highlights exemplary achievements that have shaped our understanding of the solar system and advanced planetary exploration.

Outstanding ECS Lecture by Renelle Dubosq
The award recognizes Dr. Dubosq pioneering nanogeology research, advancing our understanding of plastic deformation in minerals using innovative 2D and 3D analytical techniques in tectonics and structural geology.

Stephan Mueller Medal Lecture by Heidrun Kopp.
The award recognizes Prof. Kopp innovative research and groundbreaking discoveries in convergent margin systems, large earthquake processes, active fault slip, magmatic arc systems and geohazards.

The Geodesy Division medal and award ceremony will feature the Geodesy Division Early Career Scientists (ECS) Award presentation given by Matthias Schartner and the Vening Meinesz Medal lecture by René Forsberg.

In this session we celebrate the 2025 awardees of the Atmospheric Sciences division through the Vilhelm Bjerknes Medal Lecture by Ulrike Lohmann and the Atmospheric Sciences Division Outstanding ECS Award Lecture by Dominik Stolzenburg.

As the world faces growing environmental challenges, air quality emerges as a critical link between climate change and public health. This press conference will highlight groundbreaking research showing how polluted air exacerbates respiratory diseases, chronic conditions like diabetes, and even the health risks posed by climate change itself. With innovative solutions for improving air quality in schools and cultural heritage sites, we will explore how addressing this issue can protect vulnerable populations and drive public health improvements globally. Join us to uncover the hidden impacts of air pollution and the urgent need for action in safeguarding both our climate and our health.

Participants:

Patricia Tarín-Carrasco
Barcelona Supercomputing Center, Barcelona, Spain

Jasmine Rita Petriglieri
University of Torino, Dept. of Earth Sciences, Torino, Italy

Stefania Renna
Politecnico di Milano, Department of Management, Economics and Industrial Engineering, Milan, Italy

While the climate crisis accelerates, finding integrated solutions is more urgent than ever. This press conference will showcase how geoscience and social science are converging to transform climate policies and strategies for a sustainable future. Key topics will include the impact of global catastrophes on food trade, public preferences for nature-based climate solutions, and updated IPCC emissions scenarios that reveal the stark reality of failing to limit warming to 1.5°C. Discover how innovative, science-driven policy actions can not only mitigate climate impacts but also empower communities to adapt, helping shape the future of climate solutions on a global scale. Join us for an eye-opening discussion on how collaborative research can drive meaningful change in climate policy.

Participants:

Alice Wanner
University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna

Florian Ulrich Jehn
Alliance to Feed the Earth in Disasters (ALLFED), Lafayette, CO, USA

Chris Smith
Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Department of Water and Climate, Brussels, Belgium

NASA’s Juno mission has been transforming our understanding of Jupiter since its arrival at the gas giant in 2016. Now, for the first time, mission scientists will reveal groundbreaking new findings that promise to reshape what we know about the largest planet in our solar system.

This highly anticipated briefing will cover never-before-shared updates from Juno’s latest observations, offering fresh insights into Jupiter’s turbulent atmosphere, its deep interior, and possibly even its mysterious moons. With each orbit, Juno continues to unlock secrets about the planet’s origins, magnetic field, and dynamic storms—including the iconic Great Red Spot.

Join us as NASA’s leading experts unveil these latest discoveries, shedding new light on the forces shaping our cosmic neighborhood and the ongoing quest to understand our solar system’s most enigmatic giant.

Participants:

Alessandro Mura
NASA / National Institute for Astrophysics, Italy

Scott Bolton
NASA / Southwest Research Insititue, USA

Shannon Brown
NASA - Jet Propulsion Laboratory

Yohai Kaspi
NASA / Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel

Technology and innovation are crucial in shaping effective, long-term solutions for climate change. This press conference will highlight breakthrough research and visionary strategies aimed at mitigating climate change and advancing sustainability.

Speakers will how green concrete materials, when integrated with natural-based carbon dioxide removal methods, can revolutionize the residential building sector, reducing carbon emissions while enhancing construction sustainability. This cutting-edge approach not only offers a tangible solution for building a more sustainable future but also promotes a circular economy by reducing the carbon footprint of one of the largest global industries.

Additionally, they'll examine the growing impact of climate extremes on power systems. With extreme weather events becoming more frequent and severe, power grids are under increasing pressure. This session will explore innovative technologies designed to bolster energy infrastructure resilience, ensuring that power systems can withstand the unpredictable impacts of climate change. From improving grid stability to integrating renewable energy solutions, these advancements play a pivotal role in ensuring a sustainable and secure energy future.

Participants:

Stefania Ursica
GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences, Potsdam, Germany

Sanja Duvnjak Zarkovic
Uppsala University, Department of Earth Sciences, Sweden

Heba Marey
University of Debrecen, Institute of Earth Sciences, Department of Landscape Protection and Environmental Geography, Debrecen, Hungary

Microplastics are infiltrating every corner of our environment—from agricultural soils to the seafood we eat and even the air we breathe. This press conference brings together leading experts to reveal new research on the hidden dangers of plastic pollution and its impact on both human and environmental health.

A researcher will present findings on whether we are vastly underestimating microplastic emissions from agricultural soils, highlighting how plastic contamination in farming could be affecting food production and ecosystems. Another expert will discuss alarming levels of inhalable microplastics found in plastic and fiber factory workers, raising urgent questions about occupational health risks and regulatory gaps. Additionally, a scientist will explore how optimizing seafood consumption choices could help reduce human exposure to microplastics from marine sources.

Participants:

Sujith Ravi
1Earth and Environmental Science, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA United States

Guyu Peng
Department of Environmental Analytical Chemistry, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ, Leipzig, Germany

From devastating wildfires to catastrophic floods and deadly heatwaves, our planet’s climate hazards are rapidly intensifying. This press conference will explore the latest research on how these hazards are affecting vital sectors like tourism, agriculture, and finance, with a focus on Europe’s growing exposure. Insights will be provided on the impact of heat prevention strategies in reducing heat-related mortality across the region. Join us and learn more about the urgent need for climate adaptation and innovative solutions to protect our communities from the escalating risks of a warming world.

Participants:

Andreas Schaefer
Risklayer GmbH, Karlsruhe, Germany

Aleš Urban
Czech University of Life Sciences in Prague, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Prague, Czechia