Researchers disclose findings on climate safeguarding and adaptability initiatives
The district of Lüneburg and Leuphana University have joined forces in the "StudiKommKlima" project, a collaborative effort focused on climate protection and adaptation. This innovative project, funded by the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV), has seen a group of students develop a climate game to educate citizens about local climate measures and greenhouse gas balances.
The climate game, set to be published and actively used at events, aims to engage citizens in understanding and addressing climate issues on a local level. Janna Hoveida, head of the Climate Protection, Rural Development, and Economy department, emphasized the continuation of these results beyond the project period.
Another student team proposed a climate-resistant design for the green space around the district administration building. Meanwhile, a third team created a guide for municipalities to address the needs of homeless people in climate adaptation. Each working group prepared a guide that can be applied by other municipalities, demonstrating the project's potential for widespread impact.
The "StudiKommKlima" project also initiates various climate adaptation measures in the district, with student input. For instance, a student group focused on water management in Radbruch, proposing measures for water retention on agricultural land and flood protection in the village interior.
The project's goal is to qualify students for a career as municipal climate managers through practical orientation. The university collaborating with the district of Lüneburg on the project is Leuphana University, as part of the "Sustainability Science" master's program. The students' success in securing jobs is attributed, in part, to the certificate they receive at the end of the project from Leuphana University.
The district plans to continue working on the results of the "StudiKommKlima" project in collaboration with municipalities. More information about the project can be found on the Leuphana University website, where the current results of the project are also available. The committee members expressed interest in the project's successes, with lecturer Pia Redenius reporting that students from the previous cohort had secured jobs in the field of climate protection with municipalities.
In conclusion, the "StudiKommKlima" project is a significant step towards equipping students with the skills necessary to address climate change at the municipal level. Its success is a testament to the power of collaboration between academia and local government in driving sustainable solutions.
