International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme (IGBP)

Introduction to the International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme (IGBP)

The International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme (IGBP), which operated from 1987 to 2015, was a major scientific initiative aimed at understanding the Earth system and the impact of human activities on its processes. It was established by the International Council for Science (ICSU) to promote and coordinate global environmental research. The IGBP's mission encompassed the study of interactions among the Earth's biological, chemical, and physical components, as well as their connections with human systems. Its primary objective was to improve our understanding of the regulatory mechanisms of the Earth system and to provide scientific insights into how human actions affect vital global cycles, such as those of carbon, nitrogen, sulfur, water, and phosphorus. The knowledge generated by the IGBP was intended to inform sustainable development and environmental stewardship.

Research Framework and Principal Initiatives of the IGBP

The IGBP's research framework was organized into core projects that addressed various aspects of the Earth system, including terrestrial, atmospheric, and marine environments, and their interactions. Notable among these were the Past Global Changes (PAGES) project, which focused on understanding Earth's past climate variations, and the Analysis, Integration and Modelling of the Earth System (AIMES), which was central to advancing Earth system modeling. The IGBP also engaged in collaborative projects on themes such as the global carbon cycle, water resources, public health, and food security, working in conjunction with other international research programs. These efforts were designed to foster a multidisciplinary approach to global change research, integrating scientific knowledge across different domains.

IGBP's Seminal Synthesis and the Notion of a Planet Under Pressure

The IGBP's landmark synthesis report, "Global Change and the Earth System: A Planet Under Pressure," published in 2004, marked a significant milestone in global change research. This comprehensive assessment provided evidence that human activities had become a dominant force in driving changes at the planetary scale, surpassing the natural variability observed over the previous 500,000 years. The report conveyed a critical message about the Earth's state, suggesting that the planet was entering an unprecedented phase of environmental change. This synthesis played a crucial role in raising awareness about the scale and pace of human-induced changes to the Earth system and the need for urgent action to address these challenges.

Leadership and Impact on Global Change Research

Sybil Seitzinger led the IGBP as its executive director from 2008 until its closure in 2015. During her tenure, the programme made substantial contributions to the field of global change research, enhancing the scientific understanding of the Earth system and the interplay of its various components. The IGBP's influence extended beyond the scientific community, shaping research agendas and informing policy discussions on environmental sustainability and the response to global change. The legacy of the IGBP continues to resonate in the scientific community, underpinning ongoing research and informing strategies to mitigate and adapt to environmental changes.

IGBP's Network of Projects and Collaborative Endeavors

The IGBP's network was composed of a variety of projects, each dedicated to specific elements of Earth system science. These projects covered a broad spectrum of research areas, including the dynamics of marine ecosystems (GLOBEC), terrestrial processes (GLP), atmospheric chemistry (IGAC), and the interactions between terrestrial ecosystems and atmospheric processes (iLEAPS). Other significant projects were the Integrated Marine Biogeochemistry and Ecosystem Research (IMBER), the Land-Ocean Interactions in the Coastal Zone (LOICZ), and the Surface Ocean-Lower Atmosphere Study (SOLAS). The IGBP also participated in interdisciplinary projects such as the Integrated History and Future of People on Earth (IHOPE), the Global Carbon Project, and initiatives exploring the nexus of environmental change with human health (GECHH) and food systems (GECAFS). These collaborative projects were part of a larger network that included partnerships with other international scientific bodies, contributing to a holistic approach to understanding and addressing the multifaceted challenges of global environmental change.