Tag Archives: Climate Change

15 March 2023Access AmericaClimate Change, climate crisis, drain on natural resources, Europe, Fédération Internationale de Ski, FIS, Lake Placid, Leuphana, Leuphana Universität Lüneburg, Leuphana University Lüneburg, Nordic World Ski Championships, NY, Ski Jumping, Slovenia, snow, Sports, United States, Winter Sports, World CupJanina Malena Sähn

Winter Sports — At What Cost?

By Hannah Quinque

Not exactly an idyllic view: The future of winter sports lies in producing artificial snow.
Photo credit: “Ski jumping in Oberstdorf, Germany” by Arne Müseler

“Having the World Cup back on U.S. soil is very important in developing the sport of Ski Jumping in this country and across the world,” enthuses one ski jumping trainer about the return of the Men’s Ski Jumping World Cup to historical site Lake Placid, NY, after over three decades. As heart-warming as this news may be for North American winter sports aficionados, it’s hard to feel as optimistic about ‘developing’ the future of snow sports when climate change is already heavily impacting events even today.

9 November 2022Access AmericaClimate Change, Inflation Reduction Act, Leuphana, Leuphana Universität Lüneburg, Leuphana University Lüneburg, Native, Native American Heritage Month, Native artifacts, Native IssuesJanina Malena Sähn

Native American History Month and Hostile Climates

By Hannah Quinque

The peak of progress and democracy? Dził Nchaa Si An or Mount Graham (AZ) is an unmovable reminder that some are more equal than others. Picture by Jbparrish at https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mount_graham_in_2020.jpg under CC-BY-SA‑4.0.

This article has been started and scrapped time and time again. An American studies blog should run Native American stories regularly and most definitely for Native American Heritage Month this November. But then I, the author, am just another white European trying to share somebody else’s stories. So here’s what I decided to do: I’ll use this platform as a reminder to listen elsewhere, all year around.

5 October 2022Access AmericaClimate Change, Ecomodernism, Leuphana, Leuphana University Lüneburg, Nuclear PowerHenrike Kattoll

Nuclear Power and the Road to Ecomodernism

By Levin Schüren

Photo Credit: “Nuclear Environmentalist” by jurvetson is licensed under

What if a belief you deeply held and one that’s reciprocated by your entire social circle is actually wrong and harmful? In the spirit of my last blog, I want to tell the story of how I changed my mind on a major issue. The position I want to challenge is deeply engrained in the DNA of the mainstream environmental movement, especially here in Germany: the opposition to nuclear power.

20 April 2022Access AmericaBioneers Conference, Botany, Braiding Sweetgrass, Climate Change, Earth Day, Environmental Biology, Human Rights, Indigenous, Indigenous Knowledge, Leuphana, Leuphana University Lüneburg, Natural World, Plant Science, Plants, Potawatomi Heritage, Potawatomi Nation, Robin Wall Kimmerer, Skywoman, SUNY, SUNY CollegeHenrike Kattoll

A World Where Science and Indigenous Wisdom Collide: Some Food for Thought on Earth Day

By Savita Joshi

Robin Wall Kimmerer’s presence is magnetic. Stepping out to the podium at the 2014 Bioneers Conference – an annual forum for topics like climate change and human rights – her silver hair hangs loosely, framing a pair of leather earrings decorated with small pink flowers. She greets the crowd with a large smile, and when she speaks, the room falls silent and the audience listens closely:

“Let us begin today with gratitude … of food to eat, of sweet air to breathe this morning, the preciousness of water, the companionship of clouds, and geese, and sugar maples. Gratitude for each other, for the privilege of our work together, and for the original peoples in whose homeland we meet, and for the more-than-human beings with whom we share the earth.”

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Such poetic and tender, prayer-like words come as a surprise for some when they realize that these are the words of a scientist and professor.

26 December 2021Access AmericaChristmas, Christmas Dinner, Climate Change, Discussion, Division, Family, Issues, Leuphana, Leuphana University Lüneburg, Philosophy, Political Topics, Procrastination, Productivity, Religion, ToleranceHenrike Kattoll

Divided Country, Divided Family

By Levin Schüren

Let’s just stop for a minute and reflect on a political, philosophical, or moral issue you’re wrong about. It ain’t that easy, right? But why not? The chance that you’re right on every topic you think and argue about is basically zero. Of course, if you knew you were wrong about something you wouldn’t hold that belief or even preach it. Whenever somebody utters an opinion we don’t agree with, our minds go: How dare you believe that? Of course, you can shield yourself from such thoughts by avoiding opinions that differ from yours. However, that’s a bad idea. It’s important to talk to people, so let me give you some practical advice on how to do it. Especially since the holidays are upon us, you’ll likely meet family members you haven’t seen in a while. So here comes an instruction manual on how to deal with that crazy aunt of yours who worships conspiracy theories.

15 December 2021Access AmericaClimate Change, Ecosia, Google, Leuphana, Leuphana University Lüneburg, Search Engines, Sustainability, Sustainable Environment, Sustainable Internet, WinFutureHenrike Kattoll

Clicks for the Future: Alternative Search Engines Help Students Surf the Web Sustainably

By Janne Wilsdorf and Milica Stanojic

Looking out for feasible, effective, and easy ways to stop climate change has become an important goal in our daily lives. As one of the least contemplated measures – believe it or not – surfing on the internet could contribute greatly to a more sustainable environment.