Earth System Science (ESS) is a new, deeply interdisciplinary field that seeks to understand how our planet – including humans - functions as an integrated whole.

The ESS program develops a fundamental understanding of Earth System components and how they interact, drawing on evidence from the long-term geological past, the principles of fluid dynamics, and the global cycling of elements. This quantitative approach provides a rigorous basis for understanding the climate and sustainability crisis.

By combining science basics with observational data, numerical modelling, and the theoretical tools of complex systems, Earth system science aims to provide the insights needed to help steer decision-makers towards sustainable futures.

The ESS program reaches across three departments: Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, Earth and Planetary Sciences, and Geography.