While nature preserves traces of past climates in ice cores, tree rings, and sediments, human records provide a unique and often overlooked perspective1. Diaries, harvest logs, ship logs2, art, and architecture can reveal how people experienced and responded to changing weather patterns over the course of centuries. These sources complement scientific data and provide context […]
As part of the comprehensive course Natural Climate and Human Impacts on Climate, given by Professor Dr. Wolfgang Buermann of the University of Augsburg, this series of entries are a compilation of a seminar on the fundamental mechanisms of planetary climate, methods for reconstructing past climates, current consequences of global climate change, and other relevant […]
Have you ever wondered how to bring your research out of the academic bubble and make it resonate with a broader audience? In this article, I’ll share some tips and tricks that I discovered during a recent science communication course—practical ways to connect complex ideas with the people who need them most. With an academic […]
(Opinion piece) At first, environmentalism and right-wing extremism seem worlds apart. Most environmentalists such as us GCE students would consider ourselves as democratic, humanists, and progressive thinkers, invested in addressing climate change, global challenges and working for a sustainable future for all. Meanwhile, right-wing movements downplay or outright deny environmental problems. They typically follow a […]
In November 2024, four GCEs had the opportunity to attend the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan as observers. This event is held every year in different countries by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) with the aim of negotiating and agreeing on global strategies to combat climate change. […]
Imagine waking up one morning to a world where we experience pleasant temperatures, fresh air, clean rivers, and blooming forests. Such a scene doesn’t have to be a utopia, it can be a reality if we take the health of our planet seriously. However, we’re not there yet. Compared to this vision of our future, […]
What an exciting (and early) morning! The new GCE cohort from 2023 met on the 13th of October 2023 at 7:45 am at the GEO bus stop to start our first trip together as the new cohort. Together with Prof. Köllner, we got to explore interesting and beautiful places in Upper Franconia, an area that […]
Although Climate Change is a central topic in the GCE program, some aspects cannot be understood within the bubble of Bayreuth’s lecture halls. From 6th to 9th of October, Flemming, Luisa and Anna attended the Local Conference of Youth (LCOY) in Munich. Over 1500 students, pupils, and young people met to network and exchange ideas […]
Today, our natural world is suffering rapid alterations at large scales as consequence of environmental problems like climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. Impacts like warming temperatures, modified rainfall patterns, as well as droughts and extreme events can shift species historic habitat ranges, as they “follow” livable conditions; or these impacts can also be factors […]
Earlier this month, 17 GCE students and alumni had the privilege to take part in the 8th Conference of the IPBES plenary. Usually, this is a large event that offers many chances for students to network. As the conference took place online this year, there was unfortunately no opportunity to personally meet any of the […]
