Sönke Kreft

           1. What is global change for you?                                                               2. What is your motivation to do what you are doing?

                                          - Exponential function                                                                                         - Jumping ahead

                                                                    3. What advice would you give future GCM students?

Bachelor degree / Faculty / Year:

Bachelor of Science Agricultural Science, Environment and Resource Management / Agricultural Science, University Göttingen / 2007

Master degree / Year: 

Master of Science Global Change Management / 2010

Research semester / Topic / Content / Position: 

MunichRe / Report about global adaptation costs / conceptualization of an exhibition about climate change

Master thesis / Topic / Content: 

An Incentive Mechanism to Cover Chronic Climate Hazards in Vulnerable Countries

Employer / Name / Field of work:

• Germanwatch e.V. / Senior Advisor Climate and Insurance / international climate policy – adaptation, insurance solution
  

• United Nations University / Research Associate / monitoring and concepts of evaluation, United Nation Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) negotiation support
  

What do you have to do in your job?

Currently, I work for two different employers - a constellation which resulted from cooperation between the Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) Germanwatch and the United Nations University.
For three years, I have been working for Germanwatch. Together with Sven Harmeling and Alpha Kaloga, we deal with different topics regarding adaptation to climate change. The main focus is directed towards lobbying at international climate negotiations. There, my colleague coordinates the work of the climate action network (coalition of environmental and development organizations). Besides, there are many exciting tasks which evolve from the daily project management. They range from strategic work and lobbying for international adaptation funds to educational work.
Moreover, Germanwatch is member of the Munich Climate Insurance Initiative (MCII) – an initiative which pushes the implementation of risk management and insurance approaches; a topic which is demanded especially by the small island states. The administration of MCII is resided at the United Nations University.
MCII just started a new project in the Caribbean together with international and regional partners. They try to implement micro insurance systems as adaptation measures in different countries e.g. Jamaica, Belize or Saint Lucia. I am coordinating the monitoring and evaluation concept for this project. It is a fascinating topic because until now there is no institutional framework for the evaluation of adaptation performance.

What were and are new challenges for you after your studies / in your job?

The induction into new topics and the responsibility were the biggest challenges. Many of the first tasks didn’t include transfer but rather a development of totally new strategies and ideas. Especially the preparation period for the climate negotiation in Copenhagen was very intensive.

What did you have to acquire additionally?

Especially structures and expertise about the UNFCCC as well as the general knowledge on project management.

How did GCM prepare you for your job?

The GCM times as well as the career entry were characterized by a constant excitement. While studying we learned a lot but did even more. The broad range of GCM had a beneficial effect in my work. It was important for my development to work with so many partners from practice.

How can one find the right employer?

In my experience: try to do something and apply your knowledge – the possibilities will follow.

What was your motivation to study GCM and how did it change?

My original motivation – especially the preparation of the agricultural sector on climate change ergo adaptation – is reflected by my choice of job although the agricultural sector isn’t the focus anymore. In contrast to 2007, I now have much more experience with political and institutional systems as well as with impacts of climate change at first hand by field visits. Previously I did not feel the cognitive dissonance between urgency and possibility so much. The big steps are far away but small steps bring us forward nevertheless. The sprinter motivation in my studies was replaced by one of a marathon runner. 

Julia Huscher

            1. What is global change for you?                                                        2. What is your motivation to do what you are doing?

                                                      - It's time                                                                                                      -Look more careful

                                                                             3. What advice would you give future GCM students?