The article "Global Change and the Earth System: A Planet under Pressure" discusses the profound and accelerating changes occurring in the Earth System due to human activities. It highlights that these changes are not merely environmental but represent a fundamental shift in the human-nature relationship. The Earth is now functioning in a no-analogue state, meaning it is operating outside the range of natural variability observed over the past half million years. Human activities are significantly influencing the Earth System, leading to changes in climate, ecosystems, and biodiversity. These changes are occurring at unprecedented rates and magnitudes, with cascading effects that are difficult to predict. The article emphasizes the need for a new and integrated approach to Earth System science to address the challenges of global sustainability. It outlines the key findings of global change research, including the role of the biosphere in regulating the Earth System, the critical thresholds that could lead to abrupt changes, and the complex interactions between human activities and natural processes. It also discusses the importance of understanding the Earth System as a whole, rather than in isolated parts, and the need for a science that can provide the knowledge base for effective responses to global change. The text highlights the significance of the Anthropocene Era, in which human activities have become a major force in shaping the Earth System. It discusses the drivers of global change, including population growth, economic development, and resource consumption, and the environmental impacts of these activities. The article also addresses the challenges of ensuring a sustainable future, emphasizing the need for integrated Earth System science and global cooperation to address the pressing issues of environmental change.The article "Global Change and the Earth System: A Planet under Pressure" discusses the profound and accelerating changes occurring in the Earth System due to human activities. It highlights that these changes are not merely environmental but represent a fundamental shift in the human-nature relationship. The Earth is now functioning in a no-analogue state, meaning it is operating outside the range of natural variability observed over the past half million years. Human activities are significantly influencing the Earth System, leading to changes in climate, ecosystems, and biodiversity. These changes are occurring at unprecedented rates and magnitudes, with cascading effects that are difficult to predict. The article emphasizes the need for a new and integrated approach to Earth System science to address the challenges of global sustainability. It outlines the key findings of global change research, including the role of the biosphere in regulating the Earth System, the critical thresholds that could lead to abrupt changes, and the complex interactions between human activities and natural processes. It also discusses the importance of understanding the Earth System as a whole, rather than in isolated parts, and the need for a science that can provide the knowledge base for effective responses to global change. The text highlights the significance of the Anthropocene Era, in which human activities have become a major force in shaping the Earth System. It discusses the drivers of global change, including population growth, economic development, and resource consumption, and the environmental impacts of these activities. The article also addresses the challenges of ensuring a sustainable future, emphasizing the need for integrated Earth System science and global cooperation to address the pressing issues of environmental change.