Integrative and Transformative Research on Earth and Societies and its specificity for Freshwater

Current observations of the climate, ocean, biodiversity, soils, and freshwater indicate that the Earth system is undergoing rapid change that exceeds natural variability. The environmental sciences regard this development as a defining characteristic of the Anthropocene. The Earth system change, in turn, results in increasing societal impacts and risks due to resource depletion and deterioration, as well as global warming with more severe and frequent extreme events. While research in the earth, environmental, and social sciences has expanded in response, the complexity and scale of the phenomena require deeper integration combined with a focus on sustainability transformations.

This research identifies critical gaps in current Anthropocene research and proposes an approach for Integrative and Transformative Research on Earth and Societies. It emphasises three core areas: (i) multi-system approaches for Earth and societies to deal with the heterogeneity and dynamics of main interlinkages; (ii) system-based scientific rationales for societal agreement on planetary boundaries and societal goals for basic needs; and (iii) systemic innovations fostering transformations to reduce societal pressures on the environment and build resilience to Earth system impacts and risks according to planetary boundaries and societal goals, taking into account levers, perceptions and capacities.

The interface between the freshwater compartment of the Earth system and societies is used to explain the novel approach. This encompasses main water-related interlinkages, planetary boundaries relevant for freshwater change and societal goals for basic water needs; and innovations for reducing societal pressures on freshwater and strengthening resilience to water extremes.