Hartmut Graßl celebrates his 85th birthday
Hartmut Graßl, former director at the Max Planck Institute for Meteorology (MPI-M) and former professor at the University of Hamburg, celebrated his 85th birthday on March 18, 2025. Jochem Marotzke, Managing Director of MPI-M, cordially congratulated him on behalf of the entire institute.
“Graßl has not only shaped our institute and climate research – he has also strongly promoted knowledge about climate change in the public and in politics,” said Marotzke. As early as the 1980s, Graßl had publicly warned of the consequences of anthropogenic climate change. During his time as director at MPI-M (1988–1994 and 1999–2005), he was involved in various advisory bodies, such as the Enquete Commissions of the German Bundestag and the German Advisory Council on Global Change (WBGU). From 1994 to 1999, he served as director of the World Climate Research Programme in Geneva. He has received numerous awards, including the Max Planck Research Award, the German Environmental Award and the Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany.
Graßl's research included the study of radiative transfer in the atmosphere using satellite and ground-based observational methods as well as models. Since his retirement, he has continued to be involved in the activities at the MPI-M, including the training of young scientists.
Contact
Prof. Dr. Dr. h. c. mult. Hartmut Graßl
Max Planck Institute for Meteorology
hartmut.grassl@mpimet.mpg.de
Prof. Dr. Jochem Marotzke
Max Planck Institute for Meteorology
jochem.marotzke@mpimet.mpg.de