From Savannah to Wetlands: Lessons from the Climate Adaptation Changemakers School

I magine a room buzzing with ideas, where students, leaders, and experts from across the globe come together to tackle one of the most pressing challenges of our time: climate adaptation. From October 14th to 18th, master’s students Titia Groenhof, Daniela Flesch Laforce, and Miel Kanneworff from Campus Fryslân, University of Groningen, joined a dynamic cohort for the Climate Adaptation Changemakers School. This week-long program, co-led by the Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) and the University of Groningen, offered more than just lessons—it was a launchpad for fresh perspectives, technical mastery, and meaningful connections.

Here’s a glimpse into their transformative journey—from uncovering innovative solutions to grappling with global disparities and envisioning a collaborative future.

A Global Classroom for a Global Challenge

The Changemakers School brought together participants from Senegal, Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, the Netherlands, and beyond. Over five days, they explored cutting-edge topics like the impacts of El Niño, early warning systems, and nature-based solutions. Site visits to Wetterskip Fryslân and water management projects in Delfzijl and Earnewald added a layer of real-world insight, underscoring the importance of innovative, context-specific approaches to climate hazards.

Discussions led by luminaries such as Dr. Carol X. Garzón López and GCA CEO Patrick Verkooijen emphasized the global need for collaboration and resources. For the students, learning directly from experts—and alongside passionate changemakers from across continents—was both humbling and inspiring.

Key Takeaways on Climate Solutions

• Bridging Data Gaps: Dr. Cordero Carrasco highlighted the urgent need to close the weather data gap between the Global South and North, revealing how this disparity hampers effective climate responses.
• Early Warning Systems: Dr. Sarah Feron underscored the challenges of implementing hazard detection systems, from technology limitations to funding shortages—issues that resonated deeply with participants.
• Nature-Based Solutions: Examples from Dr. Carol X. Garzón López, like erosion prevention using trees in Colombia, revealed the potential of low-cost, high-impact strategies. The shift from infrastructure-heavy solutions to sustainable water management, shared by Dr. Margo van den Brink, sparked reflections on adaptive thinking in the Dutch context.

These insights painted a vivid picture of both the shared challenges and unique opportunities that regions face in adapting to climate change.

From Theory to Practice: Lessons from the Netherlands

The field visits brought abstract concepts to life. At Wetterskip Fryslân, the students discovered the challenges of managing Friesland’s distinctive peatlands, which face rising water levels. In the neighborhood of Earnewald, they explored the potential of Typha fields, aquaculture, and saline agriculture—innovative projects that sparked debates about the food of the future and the economic viability of adaptive crops.

Perhaps the most striking visit was to the Double Dike system, where engineering and ecology meet. By collecting dredged silt to form an island now home to the Arctic tern, the project exemplifies how adaptation can enhance both human and natural resilience.

Cross-Cultural Exchanges: Building Bridges for Action

What stood out most wasn’t just the technical knowledge gained, but the human connections forged. Participants shared ancestral wisdom, such as Ghanaian farmers’ practice of resting their lands one day a week—later proven to enhance soil health. These conversations revealed that many solutions already exist within communities; what’s needed is support to scale them up.

Networking extended far beyond the classroom. Students engaged with representatives from organizations like the University of Nairobi, the African Development Bank, and the Uganda Railways Company. These connections promise to be invaluable as they pursue careers in sustainability across continents.

Youth Leadership: Shaping the Century of Africa

A highlight of the week was Youth Adaptation Action Day, where students showcased their reflections alongside GCA’s Adriana Valenzuela. Discussions ranged from the role of education to the disparities in resources across regions. Professor Patrick Verkooijen’s vision of a “Silicon Savannah,” where African nations lead the way in climate and technological solutions, resonated deeply with participants. The session reinforced the importance of empowering youth to lead the fight against climate change.

As the week concluded, participants reflected on their experiences. For some, it was an eye-opening introduction to the complexities of adaptation; for others, it deepened their resolve to drive change. The friendships and networks formed promise to be the foundation for future collaborations.

The Climate Adaptation Changemakers School wasn’t just an academic exercise—it was a call to action. For Titia, Daniela, and Miel, it solidified their commitment to leveraging nature-based solutions and fostering global partnerships. The lessons learned and connections made will undoubtedly shape their contributions to a more resilient world.

In their words: “This experience has given us a clearer picture of how to apply what we’ve learned, not just in Europe or Africa, but globally. The solutions are there; it’s time to scale them up.”

This isn’t just a story about learning—it’s a story about what’s possible when diverse voices unite to confront the climate crisis. From savannahs to wetlands, the Changemakers School proves that adaptation is not just a necessity; it’s an opportunity for global innovation and solidarity.

The ideas presented in this article aim to inspire adaptation action – they are the views of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the Global Center on Adaptation.

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