Expert Lecture by Dr. Axel Kleidon , Scientist from Max Planck Institute Scientist

Aligarh : Aligarh Muslim University welcomed Dr. Axel Kleidon, an esteemed scientist from the Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry, along with his team of two postdocs, Dr. Sarosh Alam Ghausi and Dr. Tejasvi Chauhan, for an illuminating expert lecture. The event, titled “Powering the Planet: How Thermodynamics Shapes Climate, Hydrologic Cycling, and Limits to Renewable Energy,” was held on March 7 at the Zakir Hussain College of Engineering and Technology.

Dr. Kleidon’s lecture delved into the intricate relationship between thermodynamics and various aspects of Earth’s systems, including climate, hydrologic cycling, renewable energy, and the impact of human activities on the planet. He emphasized energy conversions, governed by the laws of thermodynamics; dictate the functioning of life, human societies, and the Earth system at large.

Dr. Kleidon underscored the conservation of energy principle and the significance of entropy in directing and constraining energy conversions. His research integrates thermodynamics with the complex interactions within the Earth system to elucidate its functioning. By examining phenomena such as atmospheric circulation, he demonstrated how thermodynamic principles impose fundamental limitations on energy exchange processes, thereby shaping Earth’s climate, hydrological cycle, and the feasibility of renewable energy generation.

He explained the varying resource potentials of different energy sources, emphasizing the paramount importance of understanding these limitations in making sustainable energy choices.

The lecture concluded with a call to action, urging stakeholders to incorporate thermodynamic considerations into energy planning and policymaking.