The future of our humankind depends greatly on the development of the oceans. The oceans play a key role in the global climate; they pose a threat to the coasts due to global sea level rise, the occurrence of tsunamis and submarine land slides or the progressing acidification of the oceans caused by the increased uptake of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2). But at the same time, the oceans also offer vast opportunities in the form of resources that can be harnessed by mankind. Chances are opening up in many fields including marine medicine, fishery or new sources of energy.
The Kiel Cluster of Excellence “Future Ocean” pursues subjects like these in an interdisciplinary approach to research that is unique in Germany in its scope: Biologists from the Leibniz Institute of Marine Sciences (IFM-GEOMAR) are cooperating with resource economists and experts on international law from Kiel University to study economic and legal aspects of the rising problem of overfishing. Economists from the Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW) are teaming up with oceanographers or geologists to assess the oceanic carbon cycle. And chemists, geoscientists and climate researchers are working together with computer scientists and mathematicians to develop models that will contribute to a better understanding of global ocean and climate change. Vibrant and dynamic interdisciplinary networks are not only experienced in these projects. Even after the first phase of the German Excellence Initiative, the cluster with its sustainable and future-oriented approach to research will continue to form a center piece of Kiel’s university and research environment within and beyond the University itself.. Proactive public relations work undertaken in cooperation with the Muthesius Academy of Fine Arts and Design in an appealing, high-visibility exhibition ensures that the “Future Ocean“ has an impact far beyond the borders of Schleswig-Holstein.