Welcome to IESP

Who is IESP?

We are a loosely organized group of scientists, politicians and business representatives who share a deep concern about the crises that challenge the humanity today, which encompass: 1) destabilization of the global climate and exploitation of unsustainable energy resources; 2) just, sustainable, and sufficient provision of water and food to all people on earth; 3) loss of biodiversity, and 4) social inequality. We refer to these various interlinked global crises as "Earth System crisis", and are dedicated to provide solutions to this crisis.

IESP was founded in November 9, 2008 on advice of participants of a Workshop on "Earth System Engineering – The Art of Dealing Wisely with the Planet Earth", held on Sept. 23 – 26, 2008 in Wildbad-Kreuth, Germany.

Specifically, IESP members

understand the significance of today's Earth System crisis for the survival of future generations

realize the urgency of effective action.

feel responsible for the preservation of today's earth system to ensure that humanity can live peacefully on our planet for many generations to come.

aim to share scientific knowledge and expertise with the public and politicians to help tackle the current Earth System crisis.

The aims and mission of IESP are summarized in the “Zugspitze Declaration on the Responsibility of Humanity for the Functioning of the Earth System."

The main points of the Zugspitze Declaration include:

Global climate change and other global problemsthreatens the life-enabling functions of the Earth system.
We ought to learn from the past.
Our deeds must follow our words.
We must raise awareness of the problem.
We need to protect our indispensible global commons.
Execution of deliberate climate modification requires authorization.
Sustainability has to be our goal.
A global commons trust fund should assist in financing advanced research.
We need a United Nations authority responsible for preserving the functioning of the Earth system.