Kim Jensen’s (11) work in environmental policy not only reflects her belief in good stewardship of the planet and its resources, but also a personal passion to care for the world that God created.
Jensen began her journey at PLNU as a political science undergraduate student.
“My whole family has attended Point Loma and initially I was exploring it as an option along with some other schools,” Jensen said. “But once I toured and sat down in the history and political science department, I found I really loved it.”
Jensen has fond memories of the faculty and staff in her department going the extra mile to make sure she was prepared to pursue her career in environmental policy.
“It was a combination of conversation after conversation that helped me determine my career path,” Jensen said. “I really appreciated the willingness my professors had to sit down and talk with me.”
Jensen’s years at PLNU solidified her desire to work in a field where she could advocate for change in a real way. Her resume includes time in the U.S. Department of the Interior and the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership where she directed policy efforts on freshwater resources. In her current role with The Pew Charitable Trusts, she serves as the Manager for Pew’s Advancing Coastal Wetland Conservation team. Her direction and motivation in all of these roles has remained steadfast.
“I’ve always been interested in environmental policy and care for natural spaces. The most vulnerable who are contributing the least to climate change are going to be the most impacted by it. Working in the climate change space is one way for me to live out my faith.”
“I’ve always been interested in environmental policy and care for natural spaces,” Jensen said. “The most vulnerable who are contributing the least to climate change are going to be the most impacted by it. Working in the climate change space is one way for me to live out my faith.”
In her current role, Jensen spends time working with conservation specialists in three international spaces: Belize, Jamaica, and Kenya. She takes at least one trip per year to each place to make sure she and her team are partnering productively with the experts in those regions to provide the support they need. One of their goals is to remain curious and respectful when working with these governments and organizations.
“We are always working with in-country experts who know the country well,” Jensen said. “They live and breathe these issues and we are there to provide support.”
Jensen and the Coastal Wetlands team work with in-country policy and research partners to provide the technical and research support that countries need to update their nationally determined contributions under the Paris Agreement, which are the commitments that each country makes to help mitigate and adapt to climate change. Pew’s Coastal Wetlands team focuses primarily on the commitments that countries make to mangroves and seagrass.
After gathering feedback from a country’s government and in-country partners, the team will begin providing the support countries need to make robust and science-based climate commitments. Jensen has also had the opportunity to partner the Belize Forest Department, Coastal Zone Management Authority and Institute, the Michael Succow Foundation, and the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center to help create Belize’s first national peatland map.
Peatlands are vital to local and global ecosystems. According to an article by the International Union for Conservation of Nature:
“Peatlands are a type of wetland which are critical for preventing and mitigating the effects of climate change, preserving biodiversity, minimising flood risk, and ensuring safe drinking water. They are the largest natural terrestrial carbon store, storing more carbon than all other vegetation types in the world combined. Peatland restoration can reduce emissions significantly.”
Conservation efforts like these fall under the category of “nature-based solutions,” offering local and national governments the opportunity to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through the conservation or restoration of critical ecosystems. With a completed peatland map, the country will be better prepared to make decisions on peatland conservation moving forward.
“It’s very thrilling when our team has the opportunity to provide research and technical support to help countries make ambitious and science-based commitments,” Jensen said. “I’m so grateful to work on projects like this.”
As she continues to manage her team’s efforts in Belize, Jamaica, and Kenya, Jensen is also pursuing a graduate degree in energy policy and climate from Johns Hopkins University. One of her personal goals this year, beyond continuing her work, is to complete the degree.
She recalled when she was in Azerbaijan for a climate conference and due to the time change, had to wake up at 3 a.m. to start classes. “Because I travel frequently for work I have had to hop online for my classes at some very odd times,” Jensen said.
After she finishes her graduate degree, Jensen plans to continue working in the climate policy and advocacy space.
“I love the opportunity I have right now to work in this space with these countries … being on the ground and building relationships with them,” Jensen said.
Jensen’s time at PLNU helped her find the right career path where she is able to advocate and encourage positive change in the climate policy space by partnering directly with countries who need support in preserving their natural spaces.
