Johanna Sophie Buerkert, LLM

What’s the work that you do?

My PhD project focuses on the role that law has in coastal Arctic socio-ecological systems’ resilience to climate change. I take socio-ecological studies on indigenous bowhead whaling in Alaska, Canada and Greenland as a starting point to evaluate the applicable framework of international biodiversity, climate and human rights laws, and the law of the sea. By combining different types of law with socio-ecological studies, my work aims to give an account of the law’s ability to support (or hinder) changes happening on Arctic coastlines due to global warming.

What keeps you going?

Finding moments of meaning. This can happen when I really want to find an answer to something, but also moments where I feel that our research can make an impact. I am passionate about addressing climate change and its effects, and hope that my work will allow me to contribute to this process. Cooperating with others that share an interest in the Arctic gives me a lot of energy and I find it very fulfilling to work across disciplines (e.g. natural science, law, social sciences). Addressing problems together to find the best solutions – that’s what research is (or should be) all about.

What’s your message to the world?

Climate-induced changes are happening and they’re happening fast: it’s an all hands on deck situation, requiring input from all scientific disciplines, lawmaking, policies and an overall societal effort. Contributions look different for everyone, but I hope this encourages you to find where you can make yours. Every effort counts!