If you are interested in joining our program, you can submit your application via CAMPUSonline. International applicants should also ensure that they obtain their VPD (preliminary review documentation) from UNI-assist before completing their application.

About the program

The Master’s program in Global Change Ecology is dedicated to understanding and analyzing one of the most pressing environmental issues of the 21st century: Global Change. Addressing challenges of an entirely new and interdisciplinary nature requires innovative approaches in both research and education. A key focus of the program is to combine natural science perspectives on global change with approaches from social science disciplines, preparing students to address complex environmental issues from multiple dimensions.

Key application information:

• Application Platform: Apply via CAMPUSonline: Apply here
• International applicants: A VPD from UNI-assist is required prior to application. Details on how to obtain this document can be found here: UBT International Office – UNI-assist
• Step-by-Step Guide for International Applicants: Use this guide to navigate the application process smoothly: Application Guide

Why apply?

The GCE Master’s program offers a comprehensive and interdisciplinary approach to global environmental challenges, providing you with the knowledge and skills to make a meaningful impact. This is an excellent opportunity to be part of a diverse academic community and benefit from a high quality education at the University of Bayreuth.

Application Timeline

The application period will remain open for two more months, so there is still time to apply. Don’t miss your chance to join our program!

Stay tuned for our next blog post with more details about the program from our program director in an upcoming online event. In the meantime, get your application started today!

If you have any additional questions, please visit the Application Guide website or contact us via email.

The post Call for Applications: Apply Now to be the next GCE! appeared first on Global Change Ecology.

Taught in English, this interdisciplinary programme explores the environmental, ecological and societal dimensions of global change. Designed for enthusiastic and driven students, it equips you with the skills to excel in science, environmental protection and decision-making roles in the political and business spheres.

What sets this program apart?

• Elite Network of Bavaria: Benefit from the prestige and resources of one of the most renowned networks in Bavaria.
• International exposure: Study in a program with more than 50% international students from around the world. Gain invaluable experience by attending international conferences, science schools, and internships.
• Practical skills: Develop the ability to analyze complex environmental issues and formulate effective solutions.
• No tuition fee.
• Collaboration with the University of Augsburg: Expand your learning horizons through this unique partnership.

Are you ready to take the next step and become a GCE?

• Applications are open from March 1st to June 15th!
• International applicants: Secure your uni-assist VPD now!

The program begins each winter semester in mid-October at the University of Bayreuth in Germany.

Don’t miss this chance to shape the future of our planet.

Visit the Global Change Ecology website for detailed information and application instructions

The post Prepare to join the M.Sc. Global Change Ecology at Bayreuth University appeared first on Global Change Ecology.

In their first-ever collaboration, the IPCC and the IPBES co-sponsored a workshop, bringing 50 climate and biodiversity experts together to study relationships and identify solutions for solving these crises. The result of this meeting was a peer-reviewed workshop report that went live this week! In this blog post, we will discuss some of the workshop’s findings at the intersection of climate, biodiversity, and human society.

Climate-biodiversity-human linkages

How do these factors interplay? Underlying anthropogenic drivers, such as economic production and consumption, give rise to direct impacts like land use change, pollution, and overexploitation of natural systems – all of which contribute to climate change and biodiversity loss. These declines, in turn, can reinforce each other. For instance, climate change effects such as temperature increases, precipitation shifts, or extreme events can cause extinctions and erode ecosystem resilience. Associated biodiversity loss then influences the climate system via changes in nutrient cycling, for example. All of this also gives rise to impacts on human livelihoods and well-being, with consequences to across sectors like public health and food production and security.

Minimal tradeoffs, maximal benefits

Some interventions come with tradeoffs. For instance, a common idea is that the planting of forests stores carbon, thus lowering atmospheric C concentrations and limiting climate change. However, the solution is not quite so simple. Large swaths of monoculture forests can increase the risk of pests and diseases as well as limit productivity and take up space for habitat, damaging biodiversity and ecosystem services. At the same time, solutions exist that can benefit both climate and biodiversity by restoring and protecting carbon- and species-rich ecosystems.

There are ways that we can combine measures in order to both limit tradeoffs and gain benefits. A good example is the use of solar farms to generate clean energy, which is necessary for climate objectives. At the same time, these solar farms use large amounts of land, potentially contributing to the clearing of important habitat. However, by implementing grazing and cropping around panels, we can benefit soil carbon stocks and pollinators, while also providing food (and still gaining clean energy). The integration of climate and biodiversity allow us to support solutions that complement each other by balancing tradeoffs and promoting co-benefits.

Transformative change

It is clear that we need to explicitly consider connections between climate, biodiversity, and people in governance and policy decisions in order to develop the most efficient solutions. However, the report notes that this integration will require transformative change in governance systems and in policies, to support higher levels of intersectoral cooperation and inclusive decision-making as well as to create effective incentives. Ultimately, this coincides with a need for an overall shift in society’s collective values. This can involve, for instance, changing from a focus on “development” defined by ever-increasing economic growth to a focus on just, equitable, and resilient development within planetary boundaries.

For more detailed information on the climate-biodiversity nexus and how this interacts with human well-being, take a look at the full scientific outcome from the workshop!

References:

[1] Pörtner, HO et al. 2021. IPBES-IPCC co-sponsored workshop report on biodiversity and climate change; IPBES and IPCC. DOI:10.5281/zenodo.4782538. Access here, full outcome here.

[2] Images generated by IPCC and IPBES. Access here.

The post Climate and Biodiversity Crises: Two Parts of One Problem appeared first on Global Change Ecology.