By Dr. Jan Freihardt: Who gets to shape the global conversation on climate change—and why are so many voices from the Global South missing? During a teaching experience in Ghana, I was confronted with uncomfortable questions about historical inequalities, resource extraction, and the role of privileged academics in North-South collaborations. How can we foster more ethical and truly reciprocal knowledge exchanges?

By Dr. Jan Freihardt: Attending a UN Climate Change Conference like COP29 in Azerbaijan is no small feat — and not just because of the logistical and financial hurdles. From exclusive badges to exorbitant costs, these global events often restrict access to the very people most affected by climate change, raising urgent questions about inclusivity and representation in the fight for our planet’s future.