For decades, the Amazon River has defined the life, economy, and borders of the “Triple Frontier” (Colombia, Brazil, Peru). However, new hydrological measurements reveal a geomorphological shift: the Amazon’s main channel is actively migrating south, leaving the Colombian bank high and dry.

According to recent data from the Universidad Nacional de Colombia (UNAL), the deviation is no longer a slow geological process—it is an accelerated crisis. What before was a 30 %, today is only 16.9% of the Amazon River’s water flows through the Colombian channel, while the vast majority (over 83%) has diverted toward the Peruvian coast.

This is not just a story of climate change. It is a story of 20 years of overlooked science and a sudden diplomatic crisis over a new island that has literally redrawn the map: Isla Santa Rosa. 

Why is it happening? A Tale of Three Islands

To understand why this city is losing its access to the Amazon, we must look at three specific geological formations that are acting as the architects of this tragedy.

1. Isla Ronda (The Diverter): Upstream at the Nazareth Bifurcation, this massive island is the root cause. It has grown to a point where it is physically pushing the river’s main current into the southern (Peruvian) channel.
2. Isla de la Fantasía (The Wall): Located directly in front of Leticia’s port, this sediment trap has stabilized into a permanent barrier, blocking the city from the river and turning the harbor into a stagnant backwater.
3. Isla Santa Rosa (The Dispute): This is the new geopolitical dilemma. A massive formation that emerged in the river, it is now the center of a diplomatic difference between Colombia and Peru. While Colombia historically accessed the river here, the shifting channel has led Peru to claim jurisdiction over the island, increasing the isolation of Leticia.

The result is that the “port” of Leticia is increasingly becoming a stagnant backwater lagoon, accessible only by small boats during high water and completely cut off during the dry season.

The Accelerator: Climate Change and the Super-Droughts

While river meandering is a natural process, the speed of this shift is intensified by the global climate crisis. The historic droughts of 2023 and 2024, driven by intense El Niño events and Atlantic warming, lowered river levels to record minimums.

During these low-water periods, the weak current in the Colombian channel lost the hydraulic power needed to “flush” out the sediment. Sandbars that usually wash away in the rainy season have instead calcified and vegetated, turning temporary obstacles into permanent landmasses.

Implications: Beyond the Water Line

The deviation of the Amazon is not merely a logistical inconvenience; it is a systemic shock to the region’s hydrology and biology.

1. Ecological Collapse of Wetlands (The Yahuarcaca System)

The most urgent ecological threat is to the Yahuarcaca Lakes, a complex wetland system just upstream from Leticia. These lakes are not fed by rain, but by the “pulse” of the Amazon River, which recharges them via underground channels and seasonal overflow.

• The Risk: As the main channel moves to Peru, the hydraulic pressure required to fill these lakes diminishes, affecting the primary production for the local ecosystem and serving as a model for how floodplain lakes sustain the wider basin. 
• The Impact: If these lakes disconnect permanently, the primary nursery for the region’s fish populations and the hunting grounds for the endemic Pink River Dolphin (Inia geoffrensis) is lost. For indigenous communities like the Tikuna and Cocama, this is not just an environmental loss; it is the erasure of their “amphibious culture” and food security.

2. The Geopolitical Dilemma (The Moving Talweg)

The border between Colombia and Peru was fixed by the 1922 Salomón-Lozano Treaty, based on the river’s Talweg—the line of deepest flow. But rivers are dynamic, and treaties are static.

• The Question: If the deep channel permanently shifts kilometers into Peruvian territory, does the border move with it? Or does Colombia retain sovereignty over a dry riverbed?
• The Flashpoint: The emergence of Isla Santa Rosa is a symptom of this ambiguity. Peru claims it is an island in their river; Colombia claims it is part of the historic channel. This geological confusion has now escalated into a diplomatic stalemate.

Conclusion: The Point of No Return?

The tragedy of Leticia is that this hydrological change was a chronicle of a shift foretold.

Since the early 2000s, researchers from the Universidad Nacional de Colombia warned that the Amazon was behaving as an anastomosing river—a multi-channel system prone to rapid switching. They prescribed specific engineering interventions, such as submerged spurs (espolones) and strategic dredging at the Nazareth Strait, to guide the flow back to Colombia.

Those plans were ignored. Now, the region faces an unavoidable choice between two difficult paths:

1. The “Hard” Path (Geo-engineering): Attempting to reverse nature. This would require a massive, binational dredging operation and the construction of river training structures. However, the “tipping point” may have already been reached, where the sediment consolidation at Isla Ronda is so advanced that the river no longer has the energy to be redirected, making this an uphill battle.
2. The “Soft” Path (Adaptation): Accepting that Leticia is no longer a river port. This implies a radical transformation of the city’s economy, shifting away from river commerce and potentially relocating the port facilities kilometers away to a point where the channel is stable—effectively acknowledging that the river has left.

Ultimately, the Amazon teaches a humbling lesson: water does not respect political borders or human infrastructure. Whether through immediate, high-cost engineering or painful adaptation, Colombia must act. If the sediments settle, Leticia will not just be a city without a river—it will be a monument to the cost of ignoring science.

References:

• Periódico UNAL (2024). “El río Amazonas se sigue desviando hacia Perú: nueva medición muestra que hoy Colombia solo tiene el 16,9 % de sus aguas.” Universidad Nacional de Colombia.
• El País (2025). “El problema ambiental que amenaza con dejar al puerto colombiano de Leticia sin conexión al río Amazonas.” El País América Colombia.
• InfoAmazonia (2025). “La advertencia científica de hace décadas sobre el río Amazonas y Leticia que fue ignorada.”InfoAmazonia.
• La Silla Vacía (2025). “Colombia se quedó atrasado en corregir la dinámica del río Amazonas.” La Silla Vacía.
• NASA Earth Observatory (2002). “Amazon River, Leticia – Image ISS004-E-12730.” NASA Gateway to Astronaut Photography.
• BBC Future (2025). “The photos showing why pink dolphins are the Amazon’s great thieves.” (Image Credit: Thomas Peschak).
• Historia y Región (2016). “La ocupación peruana de Puerto Leticia.” (Map Reference).
• Facebook Archive. “Historical Press Release on Amazon Deviation.” (Image Reference).
• Wikimedia Commons. “Map of the Salomon-Lozano Treaty.” (Public Domain).

The post The River That Left: Geomorphological Shift and the Drying of Colombia’s Amazon Port appeared first on Global Change Ecology.

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 topics.¹

What is driving the observed vegetation dynamics?

A complex interplay of biophysical and anthropogenic drivers shapes vegetation dynamics across the globe. Several key factors contribute to observable changes in vegetation patterns, growth rates, and ecosystem composition. The most significant drivers include climate change, CO₂ fertilization, changes in land use, nitrogen deposition, and natural or human-caused disturbances.

Climate change alters the structure and functioning of ecosystems by extending growing seasons, shifting ecological zones, and increasing drought stress. These changes impact regions differently, influencing both productivity and vegetation resilience.

CO₂ fertilization enhances photosynthesis and plant growth, particularly in temperate regions where water and nutrients support this physiological response. While this effect may temporarily increase biomass, its long-term sustainability is uncertain.

Changes in land use, such as deforestation, agricultural expansion, and afforestation, directly alter vegetation cover. Deforestation contributes to vegetation loss and carbon emissions, whereas afforestation and agricultural land management can result in localized increases in greening.

Nitrogen deposition, largely resulting from industrial and agricultural activities, can stimulate plant growth by enriching the soil with nutrients. However, excessive nitrogen input can disrupt the balance of ecosystems and reduce biodiversity, leading to unintended ecological consequences.

Disturbances such as wildfires, pest outbreaks, and disease events increasingly affect vegetation dynamics. These disturbances result in direct vegetation loss and alter successional trajectories and species composition.

Figure 2: Attribution of Trends in Growing Season Mean Leaf Area Index
(a) Trends in global-averaged leaf area index (LAI), derived from satellite observations (OBS), attributed to rising CO₂ (CO₂), climate change (CLI), nitrogen deposition (NDE), and land cover change (LCC) from 1982 to 2009 (Ref. 11).) (b) Contribution of different drivers to LAI change in latitude bands (>50°N, 25–50°N, 25°S–25°N, and >25°S) (c) Spatial distribution of the dominant driver of growing season mean LAI trend, defined as the driver that contributes most to the increase or decrease in LAI in each vegetated grid cell.

Ramifications

Global greening has measurable impacts on climate systems, the carbon and water cycles, and human activity. It enhances photosynthesis, thereby increasing plant productivity and carbon uptake. According to satellite data and Earth System Models (ESMs), this terrestrial carbon sink offsets approximately 29% of anthropogenic CO₂ emissions, equaling about 2.5 ± 1.0 petagrams of carbon annually. Additionally, seasonal CO₂ patterns have shifted, with earlier spring uptake and autumn release in the Northern Hemisphere, indicating changes in the timing of carbon exchange.

Greening intensifies evapotranspiration (ET), which increases the transfer of water vapor from the land to the atmosphere. This can reduce local soil moisture and runoff, raising the risk of drought, though it may also increase precipitation downwind. Early-season greening can deplete soil moisture before summer, which suppresses vegetation growth and increases the likelihood of heat waves.

Temperature effects vary regionally. Increased ET cools the land surface; however, greener vegetation lowers albedo, absorbing more sunlight and warming the surface. The global net effect is modest cooling, though the balance between these forces varies by location.

Socially, greening can support agriculture by extending the growing season and increasing biomass. However, reduced water availability and greater climate variability may threaten food security in vulnerable regions. These interconnected effects underscore the importance of viewing greening not only as an indicator of ecosystem health, but also as a catalyst for complex environmental and socioeconomic change.

Global greening is a powerful indicator of how vegetation dynamics are reshaping Earth’s systems. Yet, the full scope of its long-term consequences remains uncertain. As vegetation patterns shift in response to climate, land use, and atmospheric changes, so too do the feedbacks that influence global temperature, water availability, and ecosystem stability. Continued research and improved monitoring are essential to deepen our understanding. Importantly, integrating vegetation data into climate policy and land management strategies can help guide adaptive responses—supporting sustainable agriculture, biodiversity conservation, and carbon mitigation efforts in a rapidly changing world.

References

1. Chen, C., Park, T., Wang, X. et al. (2019) China and India lead in greening of the world through land-use management. Nat Sustain 2, 122–129. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41893-019-0220-7
2. Gaspard, A.; Simard, M.; Boudreau, S. (2023) Patterns and Drivers of Change in the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index in Nunavik (Québec, Canada) over the Period 1984–2020. Atmosphere 2023, 14, 1115. https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos14071115
3. Piao, S., Wang, X., Park, T. et al. (2020) Characteristics, drivers and feedbacks of global greening. Nat Rev Earth Environ 1, 14–27. https://doi.org/10.1038/s43017-019-0001-x
4. Wang JA, Sulla-Menashe D, Woodcock CE, Sonnentag O, Keeling RF, Friedl MA. (2020) Extensive land cover change across Arctic–Boreal Northwestern North America from disturbance and climate forcing. Glob Change Biol. 2020; 26: 807–822. https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.14804

1. Header image taken from: https://www.wikiwand.com/en/articles/vegetation ︎

The post Academic Series: The Science Behind Vegetation Dynamics (part II) appeared first on Global Change Ecology.

How do we observe global changes in the vegetation cover of the planet?

This question is covered by a relatively new area of climate research that seeks to understand how plants respond to rising temperatures, shifting weather patterns, and changes in atmospheric composition caused by global climate change.

Since 1981, technology has given us the ability to observe global vegetation, when the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) was installed on the NOAA-N spacecraft. This sensor could take pictures of the Earth beyond the visible spectrum; it was highly sensitive to near infrared, but could not sense the blue range. More advanced sensors, such as MODIS, added the blue range to the picture.

The collected data is analyzed using indices. The two most popular indices are the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and the Leaf Area Index (LAI). The NDVI shows the ratio of the difference between the amount of light reflected and absorbed in the near-infrared and visible spectra. Healthy green foliage absorbs most of the visible spectrum and reflects more than half of the infrared spectrum. The higher the NDVI index, the greener the surface. LAI measures vegetation density by comparing total one-sided leaf surface area to ground area covered (m²/m²). Monitoring helps track vegetation trends, estimate evapotranspiration, and forecast agricultural yields.

Several important metrics are commonly used to assess vegetation dynamics and ecosystem responses. These include SOS (Start of the Growing Season), which marks the beginning of active plant growth, and EOS (End of the Growing Season), which indicates the decline of vegetation activity. LOS (Length of the Growing Season) represents the duration between SOS and EOS and provides insight into seasonal shifts influenced by climate change.

Primary productivity, measured as gross primary productivity (GPP) and net primary productivity (NPP), reflects the overall carbon uptake by plants. GPP refers to the total amount of carbon fixed through photosynthesis, and NPP represents the portion remaining after respiration, serving as an indicator of biomass accumulation and ecosystem productivity.

What do we observe in vegetation dynamics?

Although data obtained earlier from the AVHRR sensor may be less ideal for long-term analysis due to internal limitations, calibration in combination with data from more modern sensors clearly shows a distinct global greening trend since at least the 1980s. Piao et al.’s study³ indicates that, from the 1980s to the 2010s, leaf area increased by 5.4 million km², equivalent to the area of the Amazon rainforest.

However, trends vary when scaled. In certain regions, reverse dynamics, or browning, may be observed. It is also possible to identify greening hotspots. Seasonal shifts are also observed. The growing season is starting earlier and ending later, effectively extending its duration. Peak greenness is occurring earlier and becoming more pronounced. Seasonal patterns of vegetation greenness are shifting. High-latitude regions are showing reduced seasonality, with patterns similar to those of regions farther south in the past. The start and end of the growing season are moving northward faster than peak greenness. These changes have implications for the agricultural sector and ecosystems, which will be explored in the following sections.

Greening Hotspots

China and India have emerged as key contributors to global greening, albeit through different pathways. In China, 42% of the greening is attributed to forests, while 32% is attributed to croplands. This greening has been driven by large-scale afforestation and reforestation programs, which have increased forest cover, reduced land degradation, and enhanced carbon sequestration. However, these efforts have also placed additional pressure on water resources. Meanwhile, agricultural productivity rose by 43% from 2000 to 2016, supported by multiple cropping, irrigation systems, and intensive fertilizer use. In contrast, 82% of India’s greening is cropland-based, with only 4% stemming from forests. This trend is largely the result of agricultural intensification, which led to a 26% increase in cereal production over the same period through expanded cultivation areas and intensified farming practices, similar to China’s approach.

In the case of Arctic regions experiencing greening, agricultural fields and afforested territories are no longer the main contributors. In these regions, vegetation covers the land due to natural growth, primarily through shrubbery. Gaspard et al. refer to this phenomenon as “shrubification.” In their study, the methodology included working with indices, overlaying vegetation maps, and mapping the types of cover and surface deposits in the studied region using ecological models. This allowed the authors to determine the role of plant communities and zonal dynamics in the observed phenomenon.

Recent greening trends in the Arctic and boreal regions reveal significant changes in land cover. Currently, approximately 13.6% of the region has experienced land cover change, and if this pace continues, the entire area could transform within 200 years. In boreal forests, the net loss of evergreen cover coincides with an increasingly active fire regime. In Arctic areas, the gradual expansion of shrubs is more difficult to detect, yet it contributes to the overall greening. Additionally, there has been southern herbaceous growth, primarily driven by extensive agriculture in regions such as Alberta and British Columbia. However, this gain is largely seasonal and linked to agricultural cycles. It should not be interpreted as a long-term ecological shift, such as the more persistent vegetation changes occurring in the Arctic.

Please, stay tuned to know more about what drives vegetation dynamics and what are its ramifications.

1. This is the first entry on the series ︎
2. Header image taken from: https://mpimet.mpg.de/en/research/independent-research-group/climate-vegetation-dynamics ︎
3. Piao, S., Wang, X., Park, T. et al. Characteristics, drivers and feedbacks of global greening. Nat Rev Earth Environ 1, 14–27 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s43017-019-0001-x ︎
4. Statistically significant trends (P ≤ 0.1, Mann–Kendall test) are color-coded. Gray areas depict vegetated land with statistically insignificant trends. White areas depict barren land, permanent ice-covered areas, permanent wetlands, and built-up areas. Blue areas represent water. The inset shows the frequency distribution of statistically significant trends. The red circles highlight the greening areas, which mostly overlap with croplands except for circle number 4. Similar patterns are seen at P ≤ 0.05, and the seven greening clusters are visible at P ≤ 0.01. ︎

The post Academic Series: The Science Behind Vegetation Dynamics appeared first on Global Change Ecology.

With an academic with a background in Environmental Sciences and currently pursuing my Master’s in Global Change Ecology – where I study the complex interactions between climate, ecosystems, and policy – I used to think that simply providing more information would help everyone agree on pressing issues like climate change, biodiversity loss, and sustainability. Yet, despite overwhelming research and facts, many people still aren’t aware of—or can’t access—this knowledge. So, how do we bridge the gap between research and real-world impact?

First, let us look at the ones who are not aware. It wasn’t until recently, when I attended a science communication course, that I realized how often we academics are stuck in our bubble, thinking things like “Ah, everyone knows what climate change is!” But is that true? According to a climate opinion survey conducted by the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication in 31 countries, four out of ten people had never heard of climate change before. In many parts of the Global South, people are unaware of climate change and do not understand it is human-caused. As a result, there isn’t enough public demand to pressure political parties to take action.

So, how do you do that? As with most things, there isn’t a “one-size-fits-all” solution, but here are a few pointers that can help if you aim to build a bridge between science and society:

1. Target the right audience – Who do you want to communicate with? Do you have a specific age group or working group in mind? The more specific you can be about your audience, the more strategic—and relatable—your content can become. Remember: when you try to target everyone, you end up reaching no one.
2. Don’t just preach—listen! – We often assume that simply presenting all the information we have will solve the problem. But would you believe a friend who says, “Starbucks makes the best coffee in the world”? Probably not. However, if that friend said, “I’ve heard Starbucks might have the best coffee—do you want to try it with me and see if that’s true?” then you’d be more open to giving it a shot. This kind of relationship-building is important when communicating about topics like climate change. Stay humble, and don’t try to change someone’s entire worldview in one go. Would you like it if someone imposed their beliefs on you without understanding your perspective?
3. Make it personal – We all relate to things better when there is a personal experience involved. This approach is also helpful when you’re creating content that you want to have a meaningful impact on the people it’s intended for.
4. Be realistic, focused, and engaging – I’ve often found myself starting with one topic in mind, then realizing halfway through that it’s morphing into something completely different by the end. Don’t do this! Have a clear structure from the start. Stay realistic, remain focused, and sprinkle in anecdotes that your audience can relate to.
5. Everyone loves visuals – “A picture is worth a thousand words,” and we all know the power of visuals, whether it’s a graph or a scientific cartoon.

For me, it wasn’t easy as an academic to bridge this gap, and it certainly takes time. But nobody is perfect and you have got to start somewhere. With practice you will get better! Picture a specific person you’d like to talk to about your topic, and keep them in mind while writing. Don’t give up—play around with these tips and tricks to see what works best for you!

This Blog entry was Edited by: Dr. Laura Sommer

Source to header image: https://sites.rutgers.edu/scipolru/resources/science-communication/

The post Science Communication Done Right! – Bridging the Gap Between Academia and Society appeared first on Global Change Ecology.

(Some) outcomes of COP29

As COP 29 (like all COPs) was very large, with many negotiations and other events going on in parallel, it was difficult for us as observers to understand what was agreed. A structured overview of the outcomes is only possible with the help of additional research, such as Carbon Brief’s website, where both summaries and details can be found. A brief overview based on our experience is provided here.

First, although the newspapers may give the impression that COPs in general are mostly failures, with rich nations failing to live up to their commitments, there have been breakthroughs. In a highly complex system like the UN, where nearly 200 countries with different challenges, values and priorities are trying to agree on basic guidelines for the future, seemingly small decisions are major achievements. Faced with the daunting challenges of climate change, the COP is attempting to tackle individual components of the problem and break them down into tasks and specific actions.

Moreover, since we don’t have a world government, the UNFCCC can “only” outline priorities and urgent issues that national governments must pursue. Nevertheless, there are many mechanisms in place to support compliance and make non-compliance unattractive, and the framework set at COPs is a powerful tool for streamlining a global pathway for action. The focus of this year’s COP was on finance, and a new quantified target on finance was advanced. The so-called ‘developed countries’ agreed to channel at least $300 billion per year to the so-called developing countries by 2035. In addition, $1.3 trillion will be raised each year by 2035 from a variety of sources, including the private sector. Many of the key results were achieved in last-minute negotiations.

Another important issue at this year’s COP was the discussion on how to follow up on the results of the global stocktake that will be completed in 2023. Unfortunately, no concrete plan was agreed on how to move forward on this issue.

On the other hand, progress was made on Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, which deals with market-based solutions such as carbon pricing and trading. Rules were formulated for country-to-country trading and the international carbon market, as well as standardized crediting criteria.

Our COP experience 

Negotiations

After attending the COP, the negotiations were the topic we got asked about the most. Given the peculiar, legal language of the UNFCCC, the fact that individual negotiations addressed only tiny aspects of the Paris Agreement and the UN Convention, and that many breakthroughs were made in closed-door negotiations at night, it is not surprising that our understanding of the substance of the negotiations remained limited.

Nevertheless, we were deeply impressed to see the whole world literally gathered around one big table. Countries at war with each other were able to participate and contribute to the dialogue. Every country had an equal right to speak, although structural constraints such as the number of negotiators that countries could afford to send to the COP left room for unequal conditions. Considering the huge amount of specific knowledge, tasks and sleepless nights that have to be shared within the delegations, being able to send 5 people instead of 100 is a big disadvantage.

Observing the negotiations has taught us that premature judgments about seemingly non-compliant countries are mostly the result of a lack of knowledge about the individual situations, political systems, and challenges in those countries. While some countries find it relatively easy to promise climate actions that are popular among climate activists (such as net-zero pledges) and then sell these ideas to their own national governments and populations, others face national resistance, instability, and political unpredictability. While some have adopted a strategy of promising little but having a high probability of delivering, others are making more ambitious pledges that may have a lower chance of being delivered. Both strategies were visible during the negotiations and gained more recognition from our sides because of the insider perspective we gained. After all, the countries that don’t want to do anything about climate change don’t waste time and resources going to the COP. So (almost) everyone who was in Baku was there because they see the importance of climate change and want to do something about it.

Panel Discussions

But the biggest part of our COP experience was the side events, often panel discussions. Typically, scientists, activists, politicians, or experts would gather and discuss a particular topic under the leadership of a chair. Topics ranged from the struggles of indigenous peoples, to plastic pathways in China, to a new online tool for calculating the remaining fossil fuel budget for countries and regions of the world.

Some panel discussions were simply people presenting their views, while others were more controversial. The panels were an opportunity to connect the abstract negotiations and policies of the UNFCCC to the work on the ground. For example, during the panel with the new director of the Loss and Damage Fund, community leaders were able to share their views on the accessibility and future design of the fund. Questions from the audience were usually answered at the end, where, for example, a hydropower expert from Germany involved in a project in South America was able to hear the critical voices of local and indigenous people that he would not normally hear in his daily life. Because of encounters like these, we often found the panel discussions and side events to be the most fruitful for us and for the overall goal of connecting different stakeholders and sharing knowledge.

Pavilions

Each country, group of countries (e.g. African Union) and other interest groups (OPEC) had a pavilion. Often the pavilions reflected some cultural features of the country and were nicely decorated. Besides the popular free coffee, interesting events took place there. In addition, smaller countries had the opportunity to present themselves and offer traditional food and other information about their country. We visited the German pavilion, the EU pavilion, the UNFCCC pavilion, the Nordic pavilion and the UK pavilion. In addition to ministerial speeches, there were panel discussions, Q&A sessions, and workshops. Countries could also give their space to groups that didn’t have their own pavilion, such as the German pavilion, which hosted a dialogue among young indigenous women from Latin America (See image above).

In the Nordic pavilion, parliamentarians from Sweden and Norway had a very inspiring dialogue on how to support a transition to sustainable consumption. A topic that seems to be moving rather slowly in Germany and much faster in Nordic countries like Sweden or Norway, so it was very interesting to get an insight into their methods and narratives. In the UNFCCC pavilion, small island states like Niue and the Maldives, as well as larger economies with a high dependence on the ocean, like Colombia, were able to share their knowledge on how to live with their natural resources and learn from each other. Overall, the pavilions were a good place to come together and network, whether over coffee, a pub quiz or a panel discussion.

Press Conferences

Another part of our COP experience were the press conferences. Every day there were many different press conferences held by many different groups. Countries or groups of countries, mainly for their national press, and other big players like the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) or WWF were groups we expected to have press conferences. But there were also some unexpected press conferences. For example, the NGO Solar Cookers International was surprisingly prevalent in the press conference schedule. We attended several press conferences: one held by the COP Presidency, Azerbaijan, one held by the European Union, and one held by Germany.

Since press conferences are something familiar from television and other events, it was very interesting to experience them in person. The rooms were filled with reporters and there was a lot of live TV coverage. After the first statements were read by the politicians, it was the journalists’ turn to ask questions. It was very interesting to hear how detailed the statements were and how the politicians answered the questions.

On the one hand, these press conferences were an opportunity for us to keep up with the progress of the negotiations that the leaders were conducting behind closed doors. On the other hand, they were also a great opportunity for us to get to know public figures like Annalena Baerbock in real life (see below). But it was not only the press conferences that were widely covered. Young journalists worked all over the venue, and although they were not allowed into some of the events, such as the negotiations, they often stood in the halls giving interviews or doing live coverage. Overall, the press conferences were a very interesting part of the COP experience because we were able to see what everyone else was watching at home.

People’s plenary

Almost by accident, we stumbled upon the People’s Plenary. Unlike almost all the other events, this one was for people who weren’t represented by country delegations. It was a space for all the voices that weren’t heard in the negotiations. Throughout COP29, you could see many indigenous people walking around, as well as many other groups protesting for stronger climate policies. They all came together in the Peoples’ Plenary, calling for climate justice and more action from policymakers. Unlike all the other events, the contributions to the People’s Plenary were very emotional, which was reflected by the audience. By the end, everyone was singing and dancing and the atmosphere was great.

National statements 

Finally, the National Declarations were also an important part of COP29. Beginning in the first week, these statements are an opportunity for participating countries to share their views, priorities, and commitment to fighting climate change. One by one, representatives took the stage to read their statements. Several countries announced their updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), often pledging more ambitious climate targets or increased contributions to climate finance. In turn, more vulnerable countries from the group of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) or Least Developed Countries (LDCs) emphasized the existential threat they face from the climate crisis and their demand for climate justice.

It was particularly interesting to see statements from countries at war read out in close proximity. The statements were also an opportunity to highlight innovative solutions or partnerships that individual countries are pursuing. But these statements were not just declarations of intent, they set the tone for the negotiations and influenced the overall direction of COP29. This was clearly seen in the financial language of many of the statements, in light of this year’s COP being dubbed the “Finance COP”.

Our statement and experience

Overall, we thoroughly enjoyed our experience at COP29 in Baku. It was deeply inspiring to see so many people, politicians, delegates, activists, vulnerable people, and observers alike, come together to fight for a more sustainable future, despite all the differences on the outside. Our time there gave us a newfound respect for people who work tirelessly to negotiate agreements that everyone can live with. The achievement of a successful agreement at the end of the conference can be easily overlooked when following the conference in the news. We take this inspiration and momentum back to Bayreuth to work for a better future.

The post GCE at COP 29: Experiences, Outcomes, and Key Takeaways appeared first on Global Change Ecology.

Therefore, in this final post, we would like to conclude the topic of Planetary Health (PH) with a positive outlook and highlight areas of promising potential for positive change that make Planetary Health a vision for the future.

Promoting Planetary Health Education

Human action (and inaction) is the greatest driving force behind global change, threatening the stability of the planet and ourselves. Therefore, in order to facilitate the return of the planet’s systems to “safe zones”, action is required at the root of the problem: human behavior. Education as an important tool for shaping and modifying behavior, plays a crucial role in this context.

Today, many universities around the world offer specific Planetary Health-focused degree programs, modules, and more. According to the Planetary Health Alliance (PHA) (n.d.), “more than 20 university-level centers [are] fully focused on planetary health” worldwide. In 2021, the PHA unveiled a Planetary Health Education Framework (Fig. 1) to provide educators and learners at all levels of higher education with a cohesive foundation that’s applicable across disciplines, sectors, geographies, and different educational approaches. To realize its full potential, however, Planetary Health Education must extend beyond higher education and adult education to reach younger audiences. Educating young people about planetary health is a promising but underexplored opportunity. Research shows that early environmental education influences future behaviors and attitudes, suggesting that introducing planetary health concepts early can help cultivate environmentally conscious adults.

Fig. 1: The planetary health education framework. Source: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanplh/article/PIIS2542-5196(21)00110-8/fulltext#fig1

Resilient Urban Environments

Urban areas are essential to a sustainable future, bringing both challenges and solutions. Rapid urbanization, combined with the increasing impacts of climate change, requires more resilient and adaptive urban environments. The future of urban resilience depends on multiple aspects, including infrastructure, communities, and ecosystems, all of which must work together to create sustainable, livable spaces for future generations.

Smart cities of the future will integrate renewable energy sources and environmentally friendly materials to increase efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Solar panels, wind turbines, and geothermal systems can decentralize energy production and create resilient urban energy networks. Innovative materials, such as cross-laminated timber, reduce the environmental footprint of construction while improving building performance. Passive cooling systems that rely on natural ventilation, shaded facades, and reflective materials are another example of how urban design can reduce energy demand, especially in warmer climates. These innovations not only support climate goals but also create healthier living conditions for residents.

Incorporating natural elements such as green roofs, vertical gardens, and other urban green spaces into urban planning offers numerous benefits for people and the planet. Green roofs, for example, insulate buildings, reduce heating and cooling needs while absorbing stormwater and improve air quality. Urban green spaces, such as parks and community gardens, help mitigate the effects of urban heat islands by cooling surrounding areas. They also serve as recreational spaces that promote physical and mental well-being, as green spaces reduce stress and increase overall happiness. These spaces can also become important habitats for biodiversity, providing refuge for birds, insects, and other species in the urban environment.

Fig. 2: Growing a Green City. Source: https://www.yournec.org/growing-a-green-city-how-to-build-resilient-and-sustainable-urban-centers/ 

Strengthening Ecosystems

Protecting, enhancing, and where necessary, restoring the world’s ecosystems is essential to maintaining environmental balance and ensuring a sustainable future. In addition to their intrinsic value and importance, ecosystems play a vital role in humans, animals, and the planet and its stability.

Healthy ecosystems provide vital services to people – ecosystem services (ES), the benefits nature provides to people. The four types of support, provisioning, regulating, and cultural contribute uniquely to sustaining life and well-being, enhancing ecological resilience, and promoting economic stability.

Ecosystems are complex and dynamic, requiring equally nuanced conservation and management. Effective strategies vary by ecological and socio-economic context and may include cross-sector collaboration, adaptive management, and accounting for environmental costs. Strengthening existing ecosystems ensures their resilience to environmental stressors and their continued provision of ES to people. Targeted restoration efforts can revitalize degraded ecosystems. In addition, sustainable land and seascape management can include expanding protected areas, integrating biodiversity-friendly planning, and promoting inclusive governance. By prioritizing these actions globally, supported by innovative financing and partnerships, we can protect our planet’s natural resources and support the health of both the environment and communities.

The European Commission highlights several successful nature restoration projects across the Union. In Ireland, for example, peatland restoration efforts have shown useful ways to revive these vital carbon-storing ecosystems and habitats. The restoration of the Skjern River in Denmark has improved water quality, wildlife, tourism, and the local economy.

Advancing a Circular Economy

A circular economy represents a transformative shift from the traditional linear model of “take, make, dispose” to a system designed for regeneration, resilience, and sustainability. This approach revolves around three core principles: designing out waste and pollution, keeping products and materials in use, and regenerating natural systems.

Central to a circular economy is the concept of zero waste. This includes using materials that are biodegradable or recyclable, and ensuring that product lifecycles consider environmental impact from the start. For example, apparel brands can use natural fibers instead of synthetics to reduce microplastic pollution, while electronics manufacturers can design devices that are easier to disassemble and repair. Maximizing the lifespan of products and materials is another aspect of the circular economy. Initiatives such as repair cafes, secondhand marketplaces, and sharing platforms empower consumers to extend the usefulness of goods, reducing the need for new resource extraction. Industry can adopt strategies such as remanufacturing and refurbishing to breathe new life into used products.

Because a circular economy also seeks to restore and regenerate natural systems, practices such as composting organic waste and sustainable agriculture enrich soil health, contributing to carbon sequestration and increased biodiversity. In urban areas, circular initiatives can include turning food waste into biogas or using gray water for irrigation. These systems not only minimize environmental impact but actively contribute to the regeneration of ecosystems.

By transitioning to a circular economy, we can decouple economic growth from resource consumption, reduce environmental degradation, and build a system that supports both planetary health and human well-being.

Fig. 3: Circular economy. Source: https://research.csiro.au/circulareconomy/about/ 

A Vision for the Future and Call to Action

By reimagining our cities, embracing the circular economy, and fostering cooperation across borders, we can lay the foundation for a more sustainable future. Prioritizing equity and social justice is essential for a sustainable future, as marginalized communities, who are often most affected by crises, must be empowered and included in solutions. Achieving PH requires shared responsibility, global cooperation, innovation, and the integration of environmental and public health policies. Together, we can restore ecosystems, create sustainable food systems, and build resilience to future challenges.

Planetary Health is not just a vision but an urgent call to action. By taking meaningful steps today, we can lay the groundwork for a healthier planet and a better quality of life for generations to come.

This blog entry was written within the Planetary Health Campus Ambassador Programme 2024 of the Planetary Health Alliance. Views expressed may not represent the positions of the Planetary Health Alliance or its membership.

Disclaimer: This blog entry is the final one of four on planetary health.

The post Planetary Health: A Vision for The Future appeared first on Global Change Ecology.

Flexitarian, paleo, keto, vegan – with so many diverse diets out there and new ones seemingly being developed each year, finding your perfect fit can feel overwhelming. One recent addition to this list of diets is the Planetary Health Diet (PHD). This addition attempts to tackle two of the biggest challenges we face today regarding nutrition: 1) rising rates of diet-related health problems and 2) the environmental impact of food production. In this entry of our blog series on Planetary Health, we’ll explore why what you eat matters for you and the environment, the origin of the Planetary Health Diet, its benefits for both you and the planet, and why it might be worth trying!

You are what you eat: Why does your diet matter?

“You are what you eat” – a saying many might be familiar with, and it turns out there is truth to it. 

Your diet is an important cornerstone of your health, what you put on your plate is considered to be an important modifiable determinant of health. Good nutrition sustains your body, keeping you energized and functioning all day. On the flip side, inappropriate nutrition can have negative health consequences. A poor diet increases the risk of developing non-communicable diseases, like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and even some types of cancer, not to mention malnutrition.

As a result, different national and international agencies, like the World Health Organization or the European Food Safety Authority, publish nutritional guidelines for an optimal and healthy diet and update them following new scientific developments. Yet, at the end of the day, how you want to get all of these necessary and important macronutrients, micronutrients, and trace elements is ultimately up to you, resulting in the diversity of dietary regimes we see today. However, how and what we eat affects not only ourselves but also the environment and thus other people as well. 

The environmental impact of producing the food we consume is critical. Agricultural food production emits significant amounts of greenhouse gases (25-33% of global emissions), contributing to climate change. Food production has an enormous impact on the Earth’s water resources, with large amounts of freshwater used and the eutrophication of marine and freshwater systems from fertilizer runoff. Speaking of fertilizers, food production also disrupts nitrogen and phosphorus cycles. It also threatens biodiversity, uses about 40% of the Earth’s land surface, and degrades air quality (Fig. 1). In addition, these negative environmental impacts also affect human health.

But here’s the good news: because our diets have such a large impact on the environment and human health, changing the way we eat has the potential to create significant positive change. By adopting more planet-friendly and eco-conscious eating habits, we can take better care of ourselves and the Earth.

What is the Planetary Health Diet?

One planet-conscious eating style is the Planetary Health Diet (PHD), a reference diet designed to be healthy for people and the environment.

The PHD was first described by the EAT-Lancet Commission in 2019. The Commission focused not only on a healthy diet but also on food systems and how to sustainably produce food and feed the growing world population in a healthy, environmentally conscious way, without exploiting and damaging the Earth system. This is reflected in the two main scientific goals that EAT is pursuing with the Planetary Health Diet and its analysis of food systems: 1) healthy diets for all by 2050, and 2) sustainable food production that stays within certain limits to prevent irrevocable changes to the Earth system.

The Planetary Health Diet is a flexitarian diet that focuses on plant-based products while allowing for moderate consumption of animal products (Figure 2).

Why should you give the Planetary Health Diet a Try?

Although the Planetary Health Diet is a relatively new concept, it has already been the focus of some scientific research – with promising results! Researchers have found that following the PHD is associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, a reduced chance of developing type 2 diabetes, and possibly even a lower risk of stroke. In addition, some benefits were found in terms of general cardiovascular health and obesity indicators.

In terms of the environmental impact of the PHD, the researchers also found encouraging results: a global adoption of this diet would reduce agricultural greenhouse gas emissions from a global perspective, although it would increase emissions in mainly low- and middle-income countries.

However, no diet is perfect, and a 2023 study found some shortcomings of the PHD in terms of micronutrient intake when following the diet’s guidelines. However, as with all diets, when following the Planetary Health Diet, it’s up to the individual to make sure they’re getting the nutrients they need, taking into account the amount and bioavailability of different foods. It’s also important to remember that a healthy diet is only part of the picture, with elements such as physical activity and a less sedentary lifestyle also playing a key role.

But when it comes to planetary health, there is no argument against the Planetary Health Diet and its environmental benefits. So if you’re looking for a way to eat healthier and make a positive impact on the environment at the same time, why not give the Planetary Health Diet a try? There are many resources online to help you get started, such as the EAT Commission: https://eatforum.org/planetary-health-recipes/.

Tell us your impressions on diets and come back to check in on the fourth and final part of our blog series on Planetary Health!

This blog entry was written within the Planetary Health Campus Ambassador Programme 2024 of the Planetary Health Alliance. Views expressed may not represent the positions of the Planetary Health Alliance or its membership.

The post A Tough Nut to Crack: Saving the Planet One Meal at a Time appeared first on Global Change Ecology.

This increasing worry, often called climate anxiety, comes from the pressure we feel as we witness the planet’s ongoing environmental decline. In this blog post, which is part of our blog series on planetary health¹, we’ll explore what climate anxiety is in more detail, why it matters, and how we can turn these feelings into positive action.

What is Climate Anxiety?

Climate anxiety, also known as eco-anxiety, refers to the growing sense of dread or fear linked to environmental issues. It’s more than just worry about a specific environmental issue, it’s the overwhelming feeling of powerlessness when thinking about the future of the planet. For many, it manifests as sadness, grief, or even guilt about human-induced harm to nature, such as pollution, habitat destruction, and biodiversity loss.

One of the reasons why climate anxiety is unique is that it’s grounded in very real, ongoing threats. It’s not just abstract worry about something distant, it’s rather a response to visible changes in the environment around us. Unlike temporary stressors, these concerns can build over time and contribute to long-term mental health challenges.

Young people are particularly vulnerable to climate anxiety. In a global study by Hickmann et al. (2021), 59% of young respondents said they were “very” or “extremely” worried about climate change, and 45% stated these emotions directly impacted their daily lives, affecting their ability to function and feel hopeful about the future. The term may be rather new, but the phenomenon is very real. The American Psychological Association recognizes eco-anxiety as a legitimate mental health concern. While it’s not categorized as a disorder, it represents a serious and widespread stressor affecting millions of people worldwide.

Physical and Mental Health Impacts

Eco-anxiety can seriously impact physical and mental health. Chronic worry about environmental issues often leads to depression, with feelings of guilt or helplessness taking a toll on mental well-being (Fig. 2). This may also cause social isolation, as individuals feel misunderstood in their concerns. For those active in environmental work, eco-anxiety can lead to burnout, especially when progress feels slow. Long-term climate stress can also affect physical health, causing sleep issues, headaches, and a weakened immune system.

Why Does it Matter?

Climate anxiety is distinct because it is rooted in existential threats. The vast, unpredictable nature of climate change leaves many feeling powerless, heightening fear and helplessness. This growing psychological toll is now recognized as a public health issue, impacting not only individual well-being but also society’s ability to respond effectively. If not addressed, eco-anxiety can lead to depression, chronic stress, and social withdrawal, reducing motivation to engage with climate solutions and complicating collective efforts to tackle environmental challenges.

However, climate anxiety is not just a negative force. If managed correctly, it can also be a catalyst for positive change. Many activists have already transformed their anxiety into meaningful action. Their collective fear has empowered them to demand change from governments and corporations alike, showing that eco-anxiety has the potential to fuel activism and advocacy rather than hopelessness.

Coping with Climate Anxiety

Managing climate-related fears is challenging, but several strategies can help you stay engaged. Educating yourself on climate issues is one of the best ways to reduce anxiety—knowledge empowers you, reveals solutions, and reminds you that many are tackling these problems. Taking action, even small steps like reducing your carbon footprint, advocating for policies, or volunteering, can restore a sense of control, with small efforts adding up as more people join in. Finding a community also helps; connecting with others who share your concerns can ease isolation and offer both emotional support and practical ways to make a difference.

It’s also important to look after yourself. While staying informed is crucial, constantly absorbing negative news about the environment can increase anxiety. Set boundaries with media consumption, take breaks, and engage in activities that bring you joy. Mindfulness, moving your body, or spending time in nature are great ways to reduce stress. Lastly, if your anxiety becomes overwhelming, seeking professional help is a good option. Many professionals are now familiar with eco-anxiety and can offer tailored strategies to help you manage it effectively.

Finding Hope in Action

Though the climate crisis can seem daunting, there is hope. More and more people are becoming aware of the challenges we face, and this growing awareness is a critical step towards creating change. The fact that so many people are worried about the state of our planet is a sign that there’s momentum for action.

Climate anxiety doesn’t have to stop us from moving forward. By acknowledging these feelings, educating ourselves, and taking positive steps, we can turn anxiety into a force for good. Together, we can push for a healthier, more sustainable future, for both the planet and us.

Stay tuned for the third part of our blog series, where we’ll dive into sustainable food systems and explore the Planetary Health Diet – a practical way to nourish both people and the planet.

This blog entry was written within the Planetary Health Campus Ambassador Programme 2024 of the Planetary Health Alliance. Views expressed may not represent the positions of the Planetary Health Alliance or its membership.

1. This blog entry is the second one of four on planetary health. ︎

The post From Anxiety to Action: Embracing Hope in a Planetary Health Crisis appeared first on Global Change Ecology.

But what exactly is planetary health and why should it matter to you? 

In this first installment of our four-part series¹ on planetary health, we explore the fundamentals of this vital concept and make planetary health more tangible to you.

Let’s start from the beginning… 

Despite only rising to popularity rather recently, the concept of planetary health has a 50-year history to look upon, as the term was coined in the environmental and holistic health movements of the 70s and 80s. However, until recently the idea was rarely present in the context of mainstream media. The Rockefeller-Lancet Commission on Planetary Health’s report in 2015 marked a turning point since it brought the topic into the spotlight of conventional scientific debate. Following this report, the Planetary Health Alliance was founded in 2016. Globally it is the leading organization in educating on Planetary Health and supporting the growth of this interdisciplinary, solution-focused, and innovative field. 

Why is Planetary Health needed in the fight against the climate crisis?

“Planetary Health is a solutions-oriented, transdisciplinary field and social movement focused on analyzing and addressing the impacts of human disruptions to Earth’s natural systems on human health and all life on Earth.” – Planetary Health Alliance

We are now in an epoch that many scientists call the Anthropocene – a geochronological epoch shaped by humans as the central driving force within the planetary system. The concept of planetary boundaries introduced by Johan Rockström and other scientists in 2009 reflects these impacts. These boundaries are basically “nine processes that regulate the stability and resilience of the Earth system” and due to human activities six of the nine boundaries have been crossed (Fig. 1). Moreover, eight of the nine boundaries, except for ozone, are moving into a concerning direction, i.e. further away from what’s considered a safe space. Leaving the safe space increases the risk of big and potentially permanent changes to our environment. 

This is where Planetary Health comes in. As the environmental changes do not represent an isolated and singular issue, they also adversely affect human health. Changes like an increase in natural disasters, pollution, biodiversity shifts, or disruptions of food systems can negatively impact mental health and increase the risk of both non-communicable diseases (air pollution & lung cancer risk) and infectious diseases (vector-borne diseases). Additionally, these global changes can lead to civil strife and displacement​. Thus, embracing the perspective of Planetary Health and striving to mitigate human impacts on Earth’s systems is essential for addressing the climate crisis.

Besides preventing or mitigating the adverse effects of global change on health, there are many co-benefits of climate action for human health. For example, living a more climate-friendly life by reducing meat consumption, rather than walking and biking places instead of going by car, we also experience somewhat unintentional “side”-effects. Eating a healthier diet, living a more active life, and reducing air pollution leads to a lower risk of morbidity and mortality. Figure 2 shows these relationships in more detail. 

To end this brief introduction to Planetary Health we want to leave you with some of the most relevant and optimism-inspiring steps taken in the last years regarding Planetary Health. At the most recent COP 28, for the first time in the history of global climate negotiations, health was officially part of the agenda. Moreover, the São Paulo Declaration on Planetary Health, a call to action outlining the crucial steps for achieving the Great Transition, has been signed by over 300 organizations from more than 48 countries. 

Additionally, more and more people are getting involved with planetary health, spreading awareness, and encouraging others to get engaged. This trend is underscored by the increasing number of organizations dedicated to planetary health and a rising tide of membership, reflecting broader engagement and awareness efforts.

Come back to check in on the second part of our blog series, talking about climate anxiety and how it affects our physical and mental health.

This blog entry was written within the Planetary Health Campus Ambassador Programme 2024 of the Planetary Health Alliance. Views expressed may not represent the positions of the Planetary Health Alliance or its membership.

1. Disclaimer: This blog entry is the first one of four on the topic of planetary health. ︎
2. ︎

The post The Clock is Ticking: Why the fight against the climate crisis needs Planetary Health. appeared first on Global Change Ecology.

Writing about the one COP seems impossible since there is not just one. I would say there are at least four COPs happening.

1. The real-COP: Beyond the surface of speeches and political posturing, this event is the “Conference of the Parties” for UN climate treaties. The negotiations that are happening whether something like “fossil fuel phase out” should be in the text or not, whether certain technologies count as clean and so on. This paragraph-pushing patience exercise is at the core of the conference. While it may sound tedious discussing one verb for an hour, the result could differentiate between legally binding or not and we have to value the democratic process, as slow and as minimal consensus as it may be.
2. The Dubai-COP: The fact that the climate conference is happening in a non-democratic, oil-rich nation, with over 2500 fossil fuel lobbyists whose presence was noticed, but under the radar of many. The Dubai-COP also included honorary guests such as “greenwashing”, “bigger COP = better COP?” and free public transport. 
3. The event-COP: Almost 100.000 people attended COP28. This is by far the largest UN gathering that ever happened and while a proportion definitely were focussed on the main part, “the real COP”, lots of efforts were poured into side events, plenaries, workshops and likewise. Basically like an industry conference where relevant players from NGOs, businesses and politics came together to form new collaboration networks and share their insights into the many-faceted problems of climate change. This is also the place where countless politicians pledge this or condemn that, which gets a lot of the media attention in the end.
4. The “my-COP”: This is the so-to-say personal event, with all the people you interacted with, the events you visited, how good your coffee was and which negotiation track you followed (it really changes your mood when after many hours one country blocks all the changes made in the last day and postpones the decision to next year).

Everybody has their own experience with all the different COPs and what follows will be some individual perspectives and :

Yanna: The moment I learned that GCE sends students to the COP every year I knew this was something I wanted to do, and I was not disappointed – it was an extraordinary experience. We were warned beforehand that it would be a bit overwhelming, and that was 100% true (I don’t think I’ve ever been as tired as I was after the first full conference day!). But I also found it incredibly inspiring. There is a huge amount of work being done worldwide to combat climate change, by a huge number of passionate, talented people. The media headlines usually make for gloomy reading, and negotiations are certainly an exercise in patience, but the fact that more than 150 nations, with all their differences in culture, national priorities, wealth, etc., can come to any agreements at all is arguably a cause for celebration. And, greenwashing or not, the fact that Dubai took on the hosting role shows that this issue is finally getting the spotlight on the world stage, even though there are plenty who would rather ignore it.

Honestly, there were many favourite moments – but a memorable one was attending a talk given by Al Gore where he unveiled Climate TRACE’s work on an independent, global analysis of emissions worldwide using satellite data. 

Challengings was answering the question ‘and what do you do?’. Of course students and academics in general are an integral part of the COP’s Observers, but I often felt intimidated when talking to people who are actively working on something truly impactful. Another challenge was finding delegates from countries that don’t have their own pavilions… some nations are better represented (and have louder voices) than others.

Attending the COP was an unbelievable privilege. It was also great fun to explore a new country, see the sun in the middle of European winter and, most of all, share the experience with some of the lifelong friends I’ve made through GCE!  

Once again, a huge thank you to the GCE Coordination who did everything possible to make this happen for us and also helped us along the way!

Anna: Let me add more details and share some of my experiences at COP28.

The COP venue has the so-called Green Zone which is the zone managed by the COP28 Presidency (in this case the United Arab Emirates), and the Blue Zone which is the UNFCCC-managed site. All the international protests and formal negotiations were held in the Blue Zone, and the accreditation badge is needed to enter this space. I have spent the majority of my time at COP28 in the Blue Zone besides some receptions in the Green Zone. However, many worthy events were located in the Green Zone, and it is more easily accessible for those who have not had a chance to receive “the magical badge”.

The pavilions of the countries were also situated in the Blue Zone and many of the side events held in such pavilions captured my attention. I can really recommend side events for powerful networking opportunities and expanding your contacts. When it comes to following the formal negotiations, I decided to focus on the process related to global stocktake. This was the first ever global stocktake taking place at a COP, and I thought that this was a unique event I was interested in most. 

It can be very much advised to pick a topic one would like to follow and research the materials on it in advance so that the respective talks at COP are understandable. But, how do you prepare yourself if a COP is such a huge event and you cannot even choose which sphere you are most interested in? That is a rhetorical question.

When it comes to my experience with following the process of global stocktake, there was one main draft document that I was reading in between the events and on public transport. I remember that there were some High-Level Events that were not open to the public, but I managed to follow the online translations on the COP28 virtual platform. That was a big win because I know that some participants did not even know about the existence of this platform, or they could not log into the system with their credentials.

Then, I remember how I was standing in a long line to one of the rooms hosting the global stocktake discussion and reading that one document, and then the online translation stopped because the representatives of the countries gathered in a big crowd in the middle of the room negotiating without their microphones. Many observers were not let into that room. After that, there was shocking news spreading around: the countries had decided to cancel the whole document and start it over from scratch! Wow, such a turn…

If you want to learn more about the documents and the negotiations, you are very welcome to join the regular meetings of your respective constituency of the UNFCCC. For GCE it is RINGO (Research and Independent Non-Governmental Organisations). It is very beneficial when you can cooperate with the other RINGO members to form chats on particular documents to share draft documents, analyze the outcomes of negotiations, and help each other to become smarter. For instance, the RINGO group on global stocktake was very helpful. But, you may also participate in the events of the other constituencies if you wish, e.g. YOUNGO. 

Gabriela: I participated in the second week and could observe the fatigue among attendees as the event drew to a close. Members were to focus on maximising progress in the conference’s final days with intensive work schedules and prolonged closed-door negotiations in the pursuit of a substantial outcome.

My favourite moment was the acknowledgment of agriculture and food systems as pivotal components in climate action represented a significant paradigm shift, because, historically, discussions have been predominantly centred around carbon dioxide emissions. This time, the COP28 UAE Declaration on Sustainable Agriculture, Resilient Food Systems, and Climate Action marked a notable shift towards the acknowledgment of Methane emissions. This declaration emphasises the importance to integrate agriculture and food systems into broader climate mitigation strategies, highlighting food security, and environmental sustainability. As someone with a deep interest in this subject, witnessing this collective commitment was inspiring. Furthermore, the pavilions I visited had varied topics and the ones about the intersection of food and health catched my attention, where I engaged in stimulating discussions and forged valuable connections.

I recognized the need for greater preparedness among GCE students attending such big events. Understanding how to follow the negotiation dynamics, about networking strategies and side events would enrich the participation of students as observers and the possible impact their attendance could bring. Despite the challenges and frustrations encountered during negotiations, the COP highlights the importance of collaboration among the parties and diplomacy. 

Yuyang: Attending COP was an extremely amazing experience! It was so amazing to meet people from the whole world at such a small place (even though the venue is actually quite huge) and to see the diverse cultures. I was really amazed by how all the different countries use the same language. Here I do not just mean English, but the vocabulary people use to talk about climate change, carbon neutrality, renewable energy ect. Besides, this experience helped me to find out the topic for my master thesis. Therefore, I am very grateful that as a GCE student we can get such precious opportunities.

There are several things I found interesting. First was the conversation with a
‘special guest’ of the president of the COP28 from Saudi Arabia, who had been a negotiator for his country for almost three decades but was already retired. He spoke very frankly about how he does not believe in climate change and his negative feelings towards the west. Another one was during a side event, while talking about why the measures are taken so slowly,  a panellist quoted ‘no decisions can be made in an AC room’. It was funny and very relatable because everyone was freezing in the heavily air conditioned conference  rooms.

The challenge for me in the beginning was to schedule my day so that I wouldn’t waste any time. With so many events going on everyday, it was a bit overwhelming and I had to make the schedule the night before. I gradually learned not to be greedy, it was the quality rather than the quantity that matters. Another challenge was trying to make my experience more meaningful, not only for me, but also for other people. To be honest, I still have not figured it out.

… 

Back in the lecture halls of Bayreuth it is easy to forget that for thousands of people it is their daily job to negotiate daily within those international frameworks where we got a glimpse into. More importantly, for millions of people, climate change has profound daily impacts and we should not forget to take home the inspirations and momentum gathered from conferences and translate it into actions, motivation to keep going and hope. In a slightly updated John Lennon phrase: “Climate Change is what happens to us, while we are busy making other plans”.

Authors:

Flemming Ostermann, Yanna Raykov, Anna Mishakina, Gabriela Paz, Yuyang Li

Further reading

The post Behind the Scenes at COP28 in Dubai: Perspectives from GCE Students appeared first on Global Change Ecology.