MPI-M celebrates its 50th anniversary with a symposium and a Senate reception
50 years of the Max Planck Institute for Meteorology: Members of the institute and numerous guests celebrated this special occasion in two festive events on April 23. In the morning, around 210 participants gathered for the scientific symposium “50 Years of Probing the Earth System” in the Saalhaus of the Patriotische Gesellschaft in downtown Hamburg. Afterwards, around 170 invited guests from the worlds of science, politics, and the public followed the invitation of the Hamburg Senate to a festive reception in the City Hall.
At the symposium, renowned scientists from Germany and around the world looked back on five decades of research and collaboration and discussed the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead. In addition to MPI-M Director Sarah Kang, speakers included Gabriele Hegerl (University of Edinburgh), Ulrike Lohmann (ETH Zurich), Jos Lelieveld (MPI for Chemistry), Jürgen Renn (MPI for Geoanthropology), and Susan Trumbore (MPI for Biogeochemistry). The welcoming addresses were given by the Managing Director of the MPI-M Jochem Marotzke and by the former President of the University of Hamburg Peter Fischer-Appelt.
Ceremony at Hamburg City Hall
At the subsequent Senate reception in the Grand Ballroom of Hamburg City Hall, Hamburg’s Senator for Science and Second Mayor Katharina Fegebank praised the MPI-M's outstanding achievements in climate research and its importance for Hamburg as a center of science. “Fifty years of the Max Planck Institute for Meteorology is a real stroke of luck for Hamburg and a reason for us all to celebrate,” said the senator.
In addition to Katharina Fegebank, Patrick Cramer, President of the Max Planck Society, and Jochem Marotzke, Managing Director of the MPI-M, also gave welcoming speeches. Referring to the institute's network in Hamburg, Germany, and around the world, Cramer emphasized the importance of scientific cooperation, especially at a time when research is under pressure internationally. He thanked the Hanseatic City of Hamburg for its support of the MPI-M and for its strong commitment, in particular in co-financing the supercomputer.
Marotzke traced the groundbreaking achievements of founding director and Nobel Prize winner Klaus Hasselmann and his colleagues and emphasized the importance of the research results achieved at the institute for international policy advice and the Paris Agreement. He thanked all employees, companions, and supporters. The quintet “Jazztrack” provided musical accompaniment for the event.
Exhibition “50 Years of Climate Research” opens
Following the celebrations, some guests strolled through the newly opened exhibition “50 Years of Climate Research” in the town hall foyer. The exhibition tells the story of the MPI-M on 40 panels and highlights its role in climate research in Hamburg, Germany, and the world. The exhibition is open to the public during City Hall opening hours and can be viewed until May 26. The Hamburg public can also look forward to further events, including lectures and a concert.
Further Information
Press release from the Hamburg Ministry of Science, Research, Equality, and Districts (in German)
Contact
Prof. Dr. Jochem Marotzke
Managing Director
Max Planck Institute for Meteorology
jochem.marotzke@mpimet.mpg.de
Dr. Denise Müller-Dum
PR and Communication Officer
Max Planck Institute for Meteorology
denise.mueller-dum@mpimet.mpg.de