“I wished to understand the world of phenomena and physical forces in their complexity and mutual influence." Alexander von Humboldt, Kosmos I, 1844
Geographic Science aims to better understand the functioning of the Earth system, the interactions between human activities and their natural environment as well as their spatial dynamics.
The environment of planet Earth changes and will continue to change under the influence of human activity. These changes involve complex interactions between humans and their environment: climate, forests, oceans, coastal zones, water cycle, economy, international institutions, local cultures, demography, transport, etc. Measuring, understanding, predicting and responding to these multifaceted changes requires a rigorous and versatile scientific approach, from local to global and socio-economic to biophysical. Geography offers this integrated approach to understanding our world and its diversity.