On May 11, 2024, in order to promote communication among young scholars in the field of global change research, strengthen in-depth communication between teachers and students, promote interdisciplinary research, and enhance young scholars’ enthusiasm for global change research, “Youth Dialogue on Multidimensional Earth”: 2024 Tsinghua DESS-PKU CUES Global Change Youth Forum on Global Change was held in the reception hall of Tsinghua University’s Main Building. This conference was jointly sponsored by Tsinghua University Department of Earth System Science (DESS), Peking University College of Urban and Environmental Sciences (CUES) and Tsinghua University Graduate Student Association. Chen Deliang, Fellow of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, Foreign Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Professor of the Department of Earth Sciences of the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, Luo Yong, Dean of the DESS, Tsinghua University, Geng Rui, Secretary of the Party Committee of the DESS, Zhang Qiang and Lin Yanluan, Deputy Deans of the DESS, Lu Hui, and Jin Xin, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of the CUES, Peking University, attended the forum. Nearly 100 faculty members and students from Tsinghua University, Peking University and other universities all over the country attended the forum.

Group photo of guests attending the meeting

Geng Rui noted in her speech that the forum has built a platform for young scholars in the field of global change research, fostering exchanges and cooperation and promoting interdisciplinary research. The deep-rooted bond between Tsinghua DESS and PKU CUES has made them good partners with mutual trust geared towards achieving win-win cooperation. It was hoped that this forum would infuse fresh and robust momentum into the ongoing collaborative endeavors between these two institutions.

Academician Chen Deliang delivers a special report

Chen Deliang presented a special report, which comprehensively elaborated on the linear function of cumulative emissions pertaining to global changes. Meanwhile, he reviewed the evolution of the Earth system model, introduced the anticipated trajectory of geography's future development models and the future tasks for Earth sciences. Notably, he highlighted the challenges and pinpointed ten pivotal issues confronting contemporary Earth system science research, thereby providing a navigational beacon for aspiring researchers in this domain. Throughout the forum, Academician Chen Deliang not only shared his wealth of scientific expertise and insights but also actively participated in the discussions, offering critiques on graduate student presentations and poster exhibitions. He exhorted the younger generation to bravely explore and innovate, urging them to make contributions to the advancement of science and technology, as well as societal progress.

Professor Liu Hongyan delivers a special report

Liu Hongyan, a professor at the PUK CUES, presented an academic report entitled “Ecology Against the Backdrops of Global Changes: Improving the Diversity, Stability and Sustainability of Ecosystem”. He emphasized the urgency of improving the diversity, stability and sustainability of ecosystem, and called for strengthening interdisciplinary cooperation to jointly address the problems in the study of ecosystem response and global change complexity.

Twelve doctoral students and postdoctoral fellows from Tsinghua University, Peking University, Sun Yat-sen University, Yunnan University and other universities made speeches on topics such as quantification of economic losses caused by extreme heat wave events, simulation of convergence zone in the South Pacific, effects of climate warming on soil organic carbon dynamics and carbon pricing. After scoring by experts and voting by the audience, Sun Yida of Tsinghua University won the first prize of excellent report, Wu Huihuang of Peking University won the second prize of excellent report, Zhang Yong of Yunnan University won the third prize of excellent report, and Chen Yuanrui of Tsinghua University won the best popularity award.

Chen Deliang (first from right) and Luo Yong (first from left) present certificates to the winners.

The Doctoral Forum, an esteemed academic activity sponsored by the Department of Earth System Science (DESS) at Tsinghua University, aspires to serve as a pivotal platform where educators and scholars from pertinent research domains can showcase their research achievements, engage in intellectual discourse, foster research innovation, and enhance interdisciplinary collaboration.

by Organizing Committee of Tsinghua DESS-PKU CUES Global Change Youth Forum on