Earth System Science: representing a diversity of disciplines

Abstract

Earth System Science as an integral component of global change aims to describe and understand the interactive physical, chemical and biological processes that regulate the total Earth system and the unique environment it provides for life. This includes the changes that are occurring in the system and how these changes are influenced by human actions. The challenge is to foster collaboration among a broad range of disciplines and embrace substantive contributions on relevant topics that are essential for fulfilling this undertaking. At the university/college level, overviews of Earth System Science and the breadth of interest involved vary considerably among departments, colleges and universities. While building on the disciplinary foundations of the basic and applied sciences to provide academic strength and rigor, Earth System Science must embrace the multidisciplinary relationships needed to fulfil the needs of global change just described. The aim of educators and researchers should be to promote collaboration among traditional disciplines rather than bounding Earth System Science by an exact definition. Meaningful multidisciplinary collaborations including life and social sciences as developed under the NASA/USRA Earth System Science Education (ESSE) program are needed to ensure diversity and realize the full potential of Earth System Science. In this manner, the knowledge base for Earth System Science is evolving as multidisciplinary educational resources are developed.