Paul Behrens

Paul Behrens is an Energy and Environmental Change Associate Professor at Leiden University and a foremost expert on climate science, who articulately speaks on topics such as the economy, energy, land, and population. As a distinguished expert in the energy and environmental change field, Paul is a highly sought-after speaker who has delivered highly impactful speeches at prestigious venues, such as TEDx conferences, where he recently gave an eye-opening speech titled Why Tipping Points Could Save Civilizations.

A highly educated individual, Paul holds an MSci in Physics and Astronomy from The University of Sheffield and a PhD in Physics from The University of Auckland. In 2006 he joined The Isaac Newton Group as an Astronomer, where he researched broad absorption line quasars. Following that, Paul landed the role of Teaching Fellow at the University of Auckland, giving lectures on science, technology, and sustainable energy, among others. In 2012 he became Policy and International Officer at the Royal Society of New Zealand, where he addressed issues surrounding languages in Aotearoa New Zealand and explored the scientific impacts of the Hazardous Substance and New Organisms Act. Paul went on to work as a Science Commentator for Radio New Zealand, alongside his role as an Adjunct Faculty at Victoria University of Wellington.

The distinguished academic has published over 60 academic articles in several prestigious scientific journals and publications, including The New York Times, Scientific American, Politico, Nature Energy, Nature Sustainability, and the BBC, to name a few. Moreover, Paul is the author of  The Best of Times, The Worst of Times, which extrapolates humanity’s climate trajectory, exploring both pessimistic and hopeful outlooks. As an expert in environmental change, Paul has made multiple appearances on media outlets, such as the BBC with Ros Atkins and the Climate Scientists podcast, as well as being interviewed for various YouTube channels.

Paul has received many awards for his outstanding academic contributions, including the Leiden University’s Discoverer of the Year in 2018 and the Lecturer of the year from the University of Auckland in 2011. Amassing substantial knowledge of climate science throughout his illustrious academic career, Paul has firmly established himself as a leading expert on energy and environmental change. He is now a popular speaker who is regularly booked to speak on topics, such as the economy, energy, land, and population. He also covers the latest insights in sustainability science during his presentations, leaving his audience with valuable takeaways.