The Digital Earths Lighthouse Activity beyond the physical system working group connects the human and physical systems. The goal is to foster the inclusion of human interactions on and impacts to human systems in ESMs. This has focused on two areas. One of the core competencies of Earth System Models is Water. Water is critical for human systems, risks of flooding, and for agriculture and energy systems. Digital Earths is trying to connect the latest generation of models with hydroclimate.
The urban environment is the most affected by humans: it is impossible to predict the physical state of the urban environment where most of humanity lives without accounting for the human footprint (buildings, water management, energy and land use). In addition, it is difficult to plan in the urban environment without considering the changing physical environment. Digital Earths seeks to advance urban digital twins which incorporate physical and human systems to better predict the future of urban environments.