On the last day of January, first-year students from universities all across the ENB gathered for a massive welcome event. It was an incredible opportunity to meet people from different Universities from all over Bavaria with wildly diverse academic backgrounds, ranging from immunology to economics. It was refreshing to talk to peers who are either deeply entrenched in the traditional academic path or forging entirely new ones by combining what seem to be completely unrelated fields. Ultimately, this network is designed to help you broaden your perspective, grow your social circle, and expand your opportunities in life.

GCEs receiving career advice.

During the event, we learned about the extensive benefits and opportunities that come with being part of the ENB. Beyond just academics, the network supports a well-rounded student life. There are exclusive scholarships you can apply for, language courses, and educational workshops tailored to building essential soft skills. There is even space for social gatherings, in form of sports events—like the annual football ENB cup, which GCE has been participating consistently. But the highlight that I found most fascinating? The annual meet-up where students get the chance to interact with previous Nobel Prize laureates.

As the formal presentations wrapped up, we had one last chance to walk around and put our networking skills to the test. It was the perfect time to casually chat with the speakers, fellow new members, and ENB alumni. I even took the chance to step out of my comfort zone, grab the attention of a brilliant innovator, and boldly ask her for an internship. While it might not have landed me a position this time around, I am confident I left a lasting impression—and sometimes, planting that seed is exactly what networking is all about.

Speaking to Sarah Fleidcher, Co-Founder and CEO of ToZero, a German based lethium-battery recycling company.

The benefits don’t end when the event is over. Once you’re part of the ENB, you gain lifelong access to a digital platform where you can connect with members past and present. We are highly encouraged to reach out to this community for career guidance, collaborative opportunities, or simply to make a new friend.

For those of us in the Global Change Ecology (GCE) study program, this is a massive bonus. Our field inherently needs us to look at the big picture, and the ENB allows us to step outside our specific bubble. It connects us with people walking completely different—yet equally fascinating—paths of science and life, ready to share advice, opportunities, and friendships along the way.

The post The Elite Network of Bavaria Get-Together 2026 appeared first on Global Change Ecology.

After facing each other in last year’s quarter-finals, this year’s team consisted not only of GCE alumni and spectators, but also members of the Bayreuth-based elite study programme ‘Scientific Computing’. Thanks to Vroni, they were able to organise and design a beautiful set of jerseys. All in all, there were around 20 of us.

Building on last year’s positive performance, we practised a few times beforehand with the clear aim of forming a team, devising a tactical game plan and, of course, practising penalties. As with last year, we finalised our tactical adjustments on the train to Munich. On 14 June, we were blessed with a sunny day, hinting at a warm summer to come.

Our tournament began with two consecutive games, which constituted our entire group phase. Each game lasted 15 minutes and was played with six players and a goalkeeper. We had a rough start to the first game, as we didn’t have a proper warm-up and were up against a very physical team consisting mainly of grown men. We ended up losing 2–0, which was disappointing.

With little time to adjust our game plan, we faced our next opponents. Once again, we really struggled to find our rhythm, but we managed to win 1–0 thanks to a penalty scored by Mateo and won by JC. Although we had reached our target of advancing to the quarter-finals, we were disappointed with our performance. After this short but intense playing session, we had a longer break which included lunch.

After the lunch break, we played our quarter-final. Within the first three minutes, we managed to take the lead thanks to another penalty, which was both drawn and scored by Mateo. After that, it was a hard-fought match, but this time we were able to fight back, with our defence mainly occupied with defending against the opponent’s top striker. At the same time, we kept pushing and, with a beautiful long shot, we scored our second goal. In the final minutes, we focused on not conceding any goals. Ultimately, we limited our opponents to one shot on goal, and we were pleased with both the result and our mentality on the pitch. This was the first time we felt like we were in the tournament.

We reached the stage where we lost last year: the semi-finals. During the semi-final, our opponents put us under a lot of pressure and we were unable to make any offensive moves. Nevertheless, we tried to hold on to the 0–0 draw, bearing in mind that we had practised penalties beforehand. However, with a beautiful move and literally in the last second, our opponents scored, sending us to the lower bracket.

This was a blow for all of us, and we only faced our next opponent after a short break. We ended up losing 3:1. Our goal was scored beautifully following a long throw-in by Vroni. By this point, we had already exceeded the expected tournament time, and we were exhausted from spending hours in the bright sun. This is why we were all kind of happy to be out of the tournament, knowing that we had a long train ride ahead of us. On the other hand, there was also a sense of having missed an opportunity. In the end, we all had a nice day in Munich, and we arrived in Bayreuth at around 9 pm, which was fine too.

We hope to continue joining forces with the Scientific Computing Programme next year. With some minor adjustments and some of our missing players joining, we are confident that we can still dream of winning the ENB Cup.

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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. ︎

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(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.

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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. ︎

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Throughout history, people have been creating maps to represent spatial objects. We naturally think in terms of spaces and the relationships between them, such as the location of a river, our address, our community, and so on. Thematic maps that showcase data related to specific topics, such as biogeography, health, and diseases, have become more prevalent in recent times, although antique examples from the Renaissance period can be found. It is difficult to think of these topics without picturing a map, whether it’s the spread of mosquitoes, nutrition levels around the world, or the local incidence of COVID-19. We have become accustomed to regularly checking COVID-19 incidence maps to see how carefully we should interact with others.

Mapping (in the sense of creating maps) requires multiple steps. Firstly, someone needs to gather data that will be referenced in space and time. Thanks to satellites and countless cartographers, researchers can start with a seemingly blank canvas (map) and add their own data. Another person may then use this data, presuming it to be correct and methodologically sound. The mapmaker does not need to know the original data gatherer’s intention. Instead, they create colourful maps and graphics to represent the data. The choice of map projection, of colours, and the choice of explanations or lack thereof – all this is part of one data interpretation by the mapmaker.

What is the nature of knowledge gained from the map?

As a reader, it is your task or rather your choice to hermeneutically translate this map and extract knowledge or explanations that are useful for you. However, the nature of the knowledge gained from the map is subjective. What you interpret from the map may vary greatly from what others interpret or what the mapmaker intended to convey. Miscommunications are inevitable. While some of these miscommunications may be harmless, others can reinforce stereotypes and preconceived notions about the state of the world. This can shape people’s realities, mindsets, and values (Wood, 2010 & Winther, 2020). Additionally, the social context that surrounds a map can be disguised as seemingly objective truths.

Does it make sense to showcase average differences between countries, even though the standard of living in bigger cities in Africa is comparable to “the West”?

A noteworthy example of how important context can be is the representation of Africa on many thematic maps. Within studying global changes and health, we became so used to Africa having “different colours than the rest” on thematic maps, whether we talk about nutrition, diseases, or education. The maps are more focused on showing and predicting, rather than explaining causal relationships (Winther, 2020). This raises the question of whether it is reasonable to showcase average differences between countries, even though the standard of living in major African cities is like that of Western cities. Furthermore, the categories used in maps, let’s say “no. of high-ranking universities in countries” are defined by some institution. This institution comprises a “Benennungsmacht”, a monopoly on setting categories of good/bad, setting indicators, and claiming to be “objectively right” (originally Bordieu, discussion at Mau, 2017). This approach disregards local individualism, and forces globally normed knowledge. In other words: qualitative differences are turned into quantitative inequalities. While this way of thinking is rooted in the realm of social science it has not quite reached the natural sciences. We could say that objectively it is better that fewer people are sick, or that some level of nutrition is better than others. But there are many cases where the categorisation, hierarchisation or metric is not inherently clear and may lack a rationale.

How does the reader experience maps? What consequences does this experience have in turn on the values and actions of the reader?

Another miscommunication stems from careless mapmaking and bad explanations of maps. This is particularly true for maps that are based on models, as it can be easy to misinterpret the information presented. Is this a scenario, a projection, a forecast or what is shown? Should I be afraid that this disease will spread over parts of Europe, or is this an external explorative scenario? Furthermore, there is a lack of research on the use of thematic maps in the fields of biogeography and health, which further complicates matters. A recent example of this is the discourse on “alarmist” colouring of Covid maps. Comparatively low incidences of Covid-19 were conveyed by a colouring scheme that some claimed to be harsh, alarmist and not appropriate for the situation. This is to show that maps have real effects on actions, going outside or staying home, feeling safe or scared, showcasing the power of maps.

Tom Sawyer, what’s a map for?

Ain’t it to learn you facts?

– Mark Twain

In this article, we explored some of the fallacies of mapmaking, such as misinterpretations and the institutions that govern classifying systems, as well as the formation of realities and their impact on our actions. Maps are a tool that represents a construct of what is out there. They can teach us about the nature of the land, like a picture of a landscape, but if we want to learn more, we must still go and visit the actual landscape. Maps can only capture what is measurable within our Western scientific framework.

Cartography used to be the interface of “art, science and technology”, with modern GIS systems we might lost the art, what does that mean to mapping and cartography? (Harley, 1989 & Winther, 2020).

Many of the maps we see today have lost touch with reality, as they are based on models or projections and have become more complicated as the data behind them has grown. Early maps only showcased single pieces of information, but advanced maps are now harder to judge and interpret. We need to be aware that maps are tools for us to understand and act in the real world. Without clear intent to be used in the real world, a map is just a picture.

What does this map tell me or someone to do?

Maps hold power and guide our actions, construct and overturn beliefs, and in the end, shape our perception of the world.

Thank you for taking the time to read until the end. I hope this text has sparked some questions and ideas, and I would love to hear your thoughts on the topic. Do you have any particularly good or bad maps in mind?

This blog entry was written within the seminar “Current Research in Health Implications of Global Change” by Dr. Stephanie Thomas.

References

Harley, J. (1989): Deconstructing The Map. Cartographica Vol. 26 No.2

Mau, S. (2017): Das Metrische Wir – Über Die Quantifizierung Des Sozialen. Suhrkamp

Twain, M. (1894): Tom Sawyer Abroad.

Wood, D. (2010): Rethinking The Power of Maps.

Winther, R. (2020): When Maps Become the World. The University of Chicago Press

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Since surprisingly many of us were on time we started at 8 am to drive southwest out of Bayreuth. Equipped with maps, information sheets and nice land use and biodiversity maps, we looked forward to our first stop, the fossil excavation site in Mistelgau.

Fossils in Mistelgau

A place that is worldwide famous for a huge amount of fossil findings, up to complete skeletons of dinosaurs. Famous worldwide… except in Bayreuth and the surrounding area, as Prof. Köllner explained to us. After some detailed explanations from a local guide and “fossil-searcher” (in the original Franconian language) we got to roam around by ourselves and discover some beautiful bits and pieces from 200 million years ago. Unimaginable that Upper Franconia was a shallow, warm, and tropical sea with dinosaurs roaming around! Since we couldn’t stay the whole day (even though some of us would have loved to) we continued our bus ride.

A scenic view

The next spot was less muddy and more scenic. On top of the Görauer Anger, we could see Kulmbach with the Plassenburg, the Fichtel Mountains and the Franconian Switzerland on one side and lovely pastures, forests, and small villages on the other. A perfect place to explain different types of land uses, Ecosystem Services and how Climate Change might affect the agricultural areas and natural biotopes in our regions. With fantastic pictures of future Upper Franconia as a Mongolian-like savannah in our minds, we enjoyed our lunch break in the sun before we continued our journey.

Bamberg: Natural History Museum and Cathedral

As for every good trip, we were behind schedule, and after our bus drivers overcame a roadblock and kilometres of winding serpentines, we got closer to Bamberg, our destination. We all wished ourselves back into nature when we saw the traffic in the city. After at least another 40 minutes, we arrived at the Natural History Museum in Bamberg. The museum had a dusty, but nonetheless retro-romantic atmosphere with glimmering crystals, fossils that looked like they swam around yesterday and the highlight: the rebuilt bird chamber of some nobleman from the 19^th century who collected hundreds of birds around the world. Even though most of us had mixed feelings, facing all these stuffed animals, not few of them threatened with extinction or already extinct and acquired in suspicious trades, it was fascinating to see the diversity and colourfulness of our planet’s (bird) species. In the museum, we could continue to groom our team spirit, since everything was in German and the German students had to translate for the internationals.

After the museum visit, we strolled around the beautiful inner city of Bamberg. It is a UNESCO world heritage site and Professor Köllner provided us with interesting facts and comments about the city’s history and its significance since the Middle Ages. We also visited the Bamberg Cathedral, which houses the mysterious horseman of Bamberg, whose identity remains shrouded in history.

After a full and fun day, we walked back to our bus (after buying smoked beer and ice cream on the way) and travelled back to good old Bayreuth, where we arrived at 6 pm.

It was a great and informative day, and we all want to say thank you to Sylvia Sprödhuber and Prof. Köllner for organizing it and giving us the opportunity to explore the region where we will spend the next years and to get to know each other in a fun way!

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Similar to how the IPCC represents key scientific consensus on climate change, IPBES produces important findings for decision making and stakeholders in the field of biodiversity. In 2019, the plenary yielded a global assessment on biodiversity and ecosystem services that sounded the alarm on a global crisis of biodiversity loss. According to the report, one million plant and animal species across the world are at risk of extinction. Although these numbers are sobering, this knowledge is essential for conservation policy and science. This year, the platform planned to approve two new reports highlighting the diverse uses and values of wildlife to humans and non-humans.

IPBES 9 took place both virtually and in Bonn, Germany from July 3-9, 2022. Students from the master program Global Change Ecology (GCE) could attend either as observers of the conference or as volunteers with the IPBES secretariat. In both cases, they were able to attend sessions, meet science and policy experts, and see firsthand the process of international negotiations. GCE sent more than 20 student volunteers to help run the event. This included tasks such as registration, running the help desk, managing the IPBES social media channels, working in the back office, and managing representatives in the session.

Personal Reflections from a Back Office Volunteer

When I first signed up to volunteer at IPBES 9, I was not sure what to expect. In all honesty, I had never actually heard of IPBES before. Nevertheless, I was interested in learning more about the organization and gaining experience through volunteering.

I chose to volunteer in the back office because I have technical skills that could come in handy. I had volunteered at some conferences in the past, so I figured that the experience would be somewhat similar. However, upon arriving at the venue, I realized that this experience would be different in some key ways.

For one, the stakes were much higher. As a matter of international diplomacy, attendees were not representing themselves, but their governments. Additionally, while IPBES is not a UN body, the United Nations Environment Program provides the secretariat for the plenary. As a result, student volunteers got to volunteer and interact with UN employees. The international and intergovernmental nature of this event made it feel very “serious” and, as student volunteers, we appreciated the importance of our work. 

When it came to my work specifically, I was very satisfied with my experience volunteering in the back office. I assisted the technical team with essential tasks such as:

• Sending push notifications to attendees through the conference app
• Updating the session schedule as times changed
• Posting media releases to the website
• Managing and monitoring online participants
• Troubleshooting technical issues

As an outside observer of IPBES 9, it would be easy to overlook the people working “behind the scenes”. As a volunteer, however, it is clear that there is a lot more that goes into these negotiations than meets the eye. While the experts, policy makers, diplomats and stakeholders are the focus of the negotiations, it is the IPBES secretariat and conference technicians that ensure the meeting goes smoothly.

Working on the technical side of the conference meant doing a lot of “little things” such as hitting “record” on zoom sessions, checking equipment, responding to emails, editing powerpoints, etc. Many of these tasks needed to be completed simultaneously or in a limited time period. While the work was fast-paced, I definitely feel like I learned a lot about managing my time, prioritizing tasks, and problem solving. Additionally, I always worked on a team and with a supervisor who could assist if need be.

Due to the nature of the work, I listened closely to the discussions and followed along for the duration of the (lengthy) sessions. As a result, I was able to pay attention to the details and nuances of the diplomatic process. It was surprising to see how finely the member states dissected the language and terminology of the reports. Of course, the point of the plenary is precisely this, to involve various governments in the communication of science and policy. This meant that every member state had to agree on every single word of the documents approved.

The tedious reviewing process took place every day, all day. When the reports were finally approved, it was hard not to get swept up in the emotion of it all. It was particularly exciting for the experts who had been working on these documents for four years to finally see their work come to fruition. Even as a volunteer who had just recently learned about the mission of IPBES, I was ecstatic that I could see this process happen. In a way, it felt as if I were along for the ride, especially after seeing all of the hard work that the volunteers, secretariat and technicians had put into facilitating it. The final days were marked by overwhelming excitement (and exhaustion) after a very busy and intense week. Now we waited for the outside world to get the reports.

Results of IPBES 9

The result of IPBES 9 was the publishing of two landmark reports, the “Assessment report on the sustainable use of wild species” and the “Methodological assessment regarding the diverse conceptualization of multiple values of nature and its benefits”. With thousands of references and dozens of contributing authors, these reports present important scientific and policy consensus.

According to the sustainable use assessment, 1 in 5 people around the world rely on some 50,000 wild species for purposes such as food, fuel, medicine etc. For the world’s poor, this dependence is even greater. The findings from this assessment highlight the importance of wild species for humans.

The values assessment points out that the predominant short-sighted view of nature is the main driver of biodiversity loss. Instead of viewing nature as merely a commodity to exploit, the assessment highlights more than 50 alternative methods and approaches to value nature. This includes indigenous perspectives and women’s involvement in stewardship decisions.

When considered together, the findings highlight the importance of changing our relationship to nature and protecting biodiversity. Especially in order to protect vulnerable people all over the world in the face of climate change, conflict, the pandemic, and inflation. As a student who studies in the field of ecology, biodiversity, and global change, it was a truly educational experience to learn about these two reports. Not to mention the skills, experiences, and networking I did along the way.

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We look forward to receiving your applications!

Application deadline: 15 June, 2022!
Learn more clicking here.

Starting date: October 2022
Location: Bayreuth, Germany

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