How much does the future cost?
As a scientist, I calculate and forecast climate change: my research areas focus on the economic assessment of climate, energy and transportation policy measures. As professor of Energy Economics and Energy Policy at Leuphana, in the context of numerous research projects and as head of the department of energy, transportation and environment at the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW Berlin) I deal with the following question: how much does the future cost?
We cannot predict the future, but we can simulate it: at the German Institute for Economic Research I work with my team on the development of quantitative, computerized models with which we assess the costs of climate protection, climate change, energy price variations and a sustainable mobility. We evaluate what happens to wealth and employment if the oil price increases? We look into the consequences for the employment markets. We assess the costs of renewable energy sources. In numerous research projects we investigate these and other questions related to a sustainable energy future, mobility and climate protection.
Science with cooperation and publication
From the institute in Berlin I cooperate and exchange research results and views with my colleagues in many research institutions in Germany and around the world: from the Potsdam Institute for climate impact research to the University of Graz, Linz and Stanford University in California. We collect data and information at the DIW, where we analyze transportation markets, study the effects of competition in energy markets and assess innovation and investment potentials for firms, taking regional European and international economies into account. This way we can determine realistic strategies for climate protection, such as emissions trading, eco-taxes or measures to promote renewable energy. Surveying their implementation potentials, acceptance and incentives for behavioral changes plays an important role. The main goal of our research is to be part of high level research cooperations, to present and discuss our scientific results at international conferences and to publish them in highly ranked journals.
…………………………………………………………………………………………….