The Ambition of GreenFeedBack is to enhance knowledge of the GHG dynamics in the ecosystems and link GHG in terrestrial, freshwater and marine ecosystems to provide a solid basis for estimation of regional and global climate feedback processes taking human pressure on ecosystems into account. GreenFeedBack will study the processes in sensitive terrestrial, freshwater, coastal and marine areas of which some are hypothesized to be tipping elements in the climate system. Thus, we will primarily focus on high latitude terrestrial and freshwater systems, marine shelves and ocean areas and thereby advance the process-based representation of ecosystems in Earth System Models (ESM). The analysis will involve co-design between scientists and stakeholders. We will use data from the ICOS and ACTRIS stations in Europe and the GIOS, GEM and SMEAR network in Greenland and Finland as well as data from dedicated field and laboratory studies. The enhanced knowledge will be used to improve descriptions of the GHG processes for implementation in ecosystem models and ESMs. Hence, GreenFeedBack will improve and apply ecosystem- and Earth System models to advance our understanding of GHGs effect on climate variability over different time horizons.

With each newly detected exoplanet system, the planet formation theory is constantly gaining weight in the astrophysical research. The planets origin is a mystery which can only be solved by understanding the protoplanetary disks evolution. Recent disk observations by the new class of interferometer telescopes are challenging the existing theory of planet formation. They reveal astonishing detailed structures of spirals and rings in the dust emission which have never been seen before. Those structures are often claimed to be caused by embedded planets, which is difficult to explain with current models. This growing discrepancy between observation and theory forces us to realize: a novel disk modeling is essential to move on. Separate gas or dust evolution models have reached their limit and the gap between those has to be closed. With the UFOS project, I propose an unique and ambitious approach to unite gas and dust evolution models for protoplanetary disks. For the first time, a single global model will mutually link self-consistently: a) the transport of gaseous disk material, b) the radiative transfer, c) magnetic fields and their dissipation and d) the transport and growth of the solid material in form of dust grains. The development, performing and post-analysis of the models will initiate a new age for the planet formation research. The project results will achieve 1) unprecedented self-consistent precision to answer the question if those novel observed structures are caused by embedded planets or by the gas dynamics itself; 2) to find the locations of dust concentration and growth to unveil the birth places of planets and 3) to close the gap and finally unify self-consistent models of the disk evolution with the new class of observations. Only such advanced models combined with multi-wavelength observations, can show us the process of planet formation, and so explain the origin of the various of planets and exoplanets in our solar neighborhood and beyond.

Targeting ambitious changes in agricultural practices that would preserve restore and enhance soil carbon and soil health requires an increased coordination of international research cooperation. The specific challenge lies in the identification, implementation and verification of agricultural soil management practices which create a positive soil/ecosystem carbon budget at the farm and landscape levels, sequester carbon, improve soil structure and soil quality and provide climate change adaptation while contributing to sustainable development. In this context, the CSA CIRCASA has an overarching goal to develop synergies on research in this field at European Union and global level, targeting four realistic and highly complementary objectives: O1. Strengthen the international research community on agricultural soil carbon sequestration; O2. Provide an improved understanding of agricultural soil carbon sequestration and its potential for climate change mitigation and adaptation and for demands of increased food production; O3. Synthesizing stakeholder’s views and knowledge needs on agricultural soil carbon sequestration and climate change O4. Favor a more structured approach, by preparing an International Research Consortium (IRC) These four objectives will produce measurable outputs during the time frame of the project and create significant outcomes for the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and of the Paris agreement (COP21, 4 per 1000 voluntary initiative) of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). CIRCASA will benefit from the participation of three major initiatives: the Global Research Alliance on agricultural greenhouse gases (GRA), the Joint Programming Initiative on Sustainable Agriculture, Food Security and Climate Change (FACCE JPI) and the 4 per 1000 - Soils for Food Security and Climate - initiative, and from the contribution of the CCCAFS and the WLE programs of the CGIAR.