'Earth system' analysis and the second Copernican revolution

Optical magnification instruments once brought about the Copernican revolut ion that put the Earth in its correct astrophysical context. Sophisticated information-compression techniques including simulation modelling are now u shering in a second 'Copernican' revolution. The latter strives to understa nd the 'Earth system' as a whole and to develop, on this cognitive basis, c oncepts for global environmental management.