Welcome Dr. Sönke Häseler at the FNK

16 March 2025

Photo: Hamburg Institut

Dr. Sönke Häseler is an economist who will join the KERMIT team at the FNK from mid-March until the end of 2025. He will work together with Uwe Schneider, Kerstin Jantke and Lea Schröder.

In the interview he talks about his research area and how he became interested in it.

1. What is your research area?

KERMIT is a joint research project that seeks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in fruit farming in the Altes Land region south of Hamburg. Within the project I will contribute to the actual emission accounting, i.e. quantifying the success of new fruit production techniques. 

2. How would you explain this to a child?

Apples are good for your health, but like most things humans do on this planet, producing them also places a burden on the climate. I am part of a team that looks into ways of reducing that burden. For example, we are trying to calculate how much a reduction in the emission of gases that contribute to global warming can be achieved by switching from diesel tractors to electric tractors. 

3. How did you become interested in this topic?

Kerstin Jantke told me that she and her team were looking for someone to help them measure the emissions from apple orchards in the Altes Land region. I was immediately interested, firstly because I had some prior experience in emissions accounting, and secondly, because I really like the hands-on, real-world aspect of the project, having grown up in a farming village not far from here. 

4. What do you expect from Hamburg and the UHH?

I try not to expect anything from anyone. Expectations are a recipe for disappointment.

Thank you and have a good start at FNK!