Earth System Physics at ICTP

ICTP is widely regarded as an extraordinary environment for advancing knowledge in the physical and mathematical sciences, with a permanent faculty of distinguished scientists who conduct rigorous world-class, curiosity-driven research in frontier and interdisciplinary topics ranging from string theory, cosmology, and black holes to quantum computing, climate science, and quantitative life sciences.

As science evolves to investigate new problems and answer new questions, so has the research carried out at ICTP. Founded by theoretical particle physicist and Nobel Prize Laureate Abdus Salam, over time ICTP has evolved to encompass a wide range of research areas in physics, including applications of science technology.

The Earth System Physics (ESP) section encompasses a range of research topics related to the interior and fluid components of the Earth System, including the atmosphere and oceans. One major focus of ESP is anthropogenic climate change, together with the impact of climate phenomena on humans and ecosystems. Global models are used to study global patterns of variability, such as the North Atlantic Oscillation, whereas high-resolution regional models provide local climate information. Researchers at ESP also study the role of oceans in the climate system as a whole and investigate cloud behaviour from a physics perspective, along with the impact of climate change on various human sectors.

ICTP is glad to release a new video featuring Climate Scientist Filippo Giorgi, ICTP Emeritus Scientist and former Head of the ESP section, as he presents the topics that researchers in the section explore.

During the whole week of 20 May, ICTP will be sharing content related to the ESP section on its website and on social media. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, X and Linkedin to learn more about ICTP’s research sections and explore the fascinating science done at ICTP.