Earth system science should not be accepted as a pure science which cannot survive beyond itssocial context.This paper first provides a systematic view interpreting the architecture of earth system science.which has global change studies and regional sustainable development being its ‘start’and ‘end’ points between which the linkage is established by two other orderly phases:regional modeling and macro-regulating information system.It is suggested that research into global change be strengthened in terms of the differentiation of regional physical environment and social progress.and that macro-regulating information system thereupon be employed to reveal the interaction between the global and regional levels of the earth system.Particular emphasis is then given to regional sustainable development──the objective of earth system science studies.
