Why is global warming accelerating?
- Marine heatwaves
- Land warming
- Changing water cycle
- Earth system feedbacks
Understanding a Changing Planet, Building a Resilient Future
Turing wanted to know how molecules were able to collectively self-organize, and whether machines could think. Von Neumann wanted to know how the brain worked and whether machines could reproduce. Turing, who died at the age of 41, left behind an unfinished theory of morphogenesis, and von Neumann, who died aged 53, left an unfinished theory of self-reproduction — a model inspired by the Turing machine's ability to generate copies of itself. (Dyson, G. (2012). "The dawn of computing." Nature 482: 459.) What do you want, and what will you leave?
The scientific questions we address
Our research is organized around four scientific questions: Why is global warming accelerating? How will Earth system tipping points emerge? How can renewable energy reshape human-Earth interactions? And how can AI help us better understand and predict a changing planet?
How will Earth system tipping points emerge?
- Global forest change
- Vegetation monitoring
- Ecosystem resilience
- Feedback and complex system
How can renewable energy reshape human-Earth interactions?
- Wind energy
- Solar energy
- Hydropower
- Energy storage
How can AI help us understand and predict a changing planet?
- AI for Earth twins
- AI for energy
- AI for weather
- AI for climate
People behind these scientific questions
We are driven by creativity and curiosity to push back the frontiers of knowledge.
Zhenzhong Zeng
Vice Dean and Professor, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Professor, Institute for Advanced Artificial Intelligence, Southern University of Science and Technology
218Published papers
25,000+As of June 2026
67Google Scholar
Professor Zhenzhong Zeng participated in the Lancang-Mekong Basin Seminar at North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power.
Professor Zhenzhong Zeng participated in the Lancang-Mekong Basin Seminar at North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power.
Professor Zhenzhong Zeng participated in the Lancang-Mekong Basin Seminar at North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power.
Professor Zhenzhong Zeng participated in the Lancang-Mekong Basin Seminar at North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power.
The Shenzhen Meteorological Bureau visit connected lab members with operational meteorological observation and service practice, broadening links between research and application.
The first Environmental Science and Technology Culture Festival gave the lab a platform for display and exchange, bringing environmental science topics to a broader audience.
The observatory visit took lab exchange into an observation setting, broadening members' curiosity about natural systems.
The observatory visit took lab exchange into an observation setting, broadening members' curiosity about natural systems.
Lin Ziyu's thesis defense records a key step in academic training and the lab's role in support and growth.
On June 12, Zou Xinyu and Gao Gefan took part in a competition, showing initiative and teamwork beyond routine research training.
On June 12, Zou Xinyu and Gao Gefan took part in a competition, showing initiative and teamwork beyond routine research training.
On May 8, 2026, Qin Yingzuo completed a thesis defense, with the lab witnessing an important academic milestone together.
On May 8, 2026, Qin Yingzuo completed a thesis defense, with the lab witnessing an important academic milestone together.
This 2026 dinner records another everyday gathering, preserving space for easy conversation beyond research work.
The 2026 New Year's Day dinner opened the year in a relaxed way, carrying forward the lab's supportive atmosphere around the table.
The 2025 Thailand field visit extended the lab's international observation settings and added field experience for understanding regional environment and human-Earth relations.
The 2025 Thailand field visit extended the lab's international observation settings and added field experience for understanding regional environment and human-Earth relations.
The 2024 year-end hike took the lab gathering outdoors, giving members a shared way to close the year's work through walking and conversation.
In October 2023, the lab gathered for Feng Yu's farewell, recording support and good wishes across a moment of transition.
In October 2023, the lab gathered for Feng Yu's farewell, recording support and good wishes across a moment of transition.
In October 2023, the lab gathered for Feng Yu's farewell, recording support and good wishes across a moment of transition.
In September 2023, lab members joined Feng Yu and Wu Jie for their wedding, adding a personal celebration to the group's shared memories.
The 2023 Xinjiang field visit brought the lab's research perspective into the field, deepening shared understanding through observation and discussion.
The 2023 Xinjiang field visit brought the lab's research perspective into the field, deepening shared understanding through observation and discussion.
The 2023 Xinjiang field visit brought the lab's research perspective into the field, deepening shared understanding through observation and discussion.
The 2023 Xinjiang field visit brought the lab's research perspective into the field, deepening shared understanding through observation and discussion.
The 2023 Xinjiang field visit brought the lab's research perspective into the field, deepening shared understanding through observation and discussion.
The 2023 Xinjiang field visit brought the lab's research perspective into the field, deepening shared understanding through observation and discussion.
In April 2023, the lab gathered for team building at Feilin Villa and a farewell for Xinyue, closing a shared chapter with warmth.
In April 2023, the lab gathered for team building at Feilin Villa and a farewell for Xinyue, closing a shared chapter with warmth.
In April 2023, the lab gathered for team building at Feilin Villa and a farewell for Xinyue, closing a shared chapter with warmth.
In April 2023, the lab gathered for team building at Feilin Villa and a farewell for Xinyue, closing a shared chapter with warmth.
During the 2022 National Day holiday, the lab spent time outdoors at Hongqiao Park, relaxing and connecting in nature.
During the 2022 National Day holiday, the lab spent time outdoors at Hongqiao Park, relaxing and connecting in nature.
During the 2022 National Day holiday, the lab spent time outdoors at Hongqiao Park, relaxing and connecting in nature.
Zhou Lihong's 2022 thesis defense marked an important academic milestone and a moment of shared witness for the lab.
The 2021 New Year moment captured the lab welcoming a new year and looking ahead to the next stage of research and life.
The December 23, 2020 birthday gathering added a warm year-end ritual as lab members celebrated another year together.
The December 23, 2020 birthday gathering added a warm year-end ritual as lab members celebrated another year together.
On Teachers' Day 2020, the lab marked a moment of shared work and appreciation for mentorship, collaboration, and exploration.
The first-half 2020 birthday gathering kept up the lab's tradition of mutual support, adding a warm pause to a busy research rhythm.
In June 2020, the lab visited a succulent garden, using the outdoor setting to unwind, talk, and build everyday rapport.
In June 2020, the lab visited a succulent garden, using the outdoor setting to unwind, talk, and build everyday rapport.
In June 2020, the lab visited a succulent garden, using the outdoor setting to unwind, talk, and build everyday rapport.
In June 2020, the lab visited a succulent garden, using the outdoor setting to unwind, talk, and build everyday rapport.
Prof. Zeng's birthday celebration captured good-humored wishes from the group and the lab's close, open atmosphere.
The first-half 2019 birthday gathering brought lab members together for a relaxed celebration and a shared marker of growth.
News
Follow our latest publications, awards, field activities, student achievements, and research updates from the Earth System & Global Change LAB.
Representative outputs
Selected papers that reflect our work across climate change, Earth system science, vegetation dynamics, hydrology, remote sensing, AI for climate, and sustainable energy systems.
