A Powerful Partnership: Alexander Verbeek and Swiss Re Join Forces for Climate Action

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Alexander Verbeek and Swiss Re Join Forces for Climate Action

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Climate change is an urgent global issue that requires collective action from all sectors of society. Recognizing the importance of spreading awareness about climate change and its impact on natural catastrophes, renowned climate change influencer Alexander Verbeek has teamed up with Swiss Re. This collaboration leverages Verbeek's expertise and passion for climate advocacy through his 2023 Camino de Santiago walk, during which he visited areas that have seen the effects of increased climate change and explored links to natural catastrophes - emphasizing the significance of understanding and mitigating natural disasters caused by climate change.

A journey through videos

Starting at St. Jean-Pied-de-Port in the French Pyrenees mountains, Alexander made his way through quaint towns and the bucolis countryside to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. Over 40 gruelling days, Alexander met hundreds of people, endures soaring temperatures and physical strain to traverse the beautiful landscape, enabling him to witness first-hand the effects of our changing climate. We followed Alexander on his path and invited him to visit us after his journey ended to speak to our experts about the issues he saw on the ground and help him find asnwers to many of his questions.

The Story Behind the Camino de Santiago Journey

Alexander Verbeek, freelance journalist and climate enthusiast, teamed up with Swiss Re for his Camino de Santiago walk. Starting in St. Jean-Pied-de-Port in the south of France, Alexander made his way through quaint towns and the bucolic countryside to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. Over 40 gruelling days, Alexander met hundreds of people, endured soaring temperatures and physical strain to traverse the beautiful landscape, enabling him to witness first-hand the effects of our changing climate. We followed Alexander on his path and invited him to visit us after his journey ended to speak to our experts about the climate change.

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Alexander Verbeek talks viticulture with Swiss Re's Stefanos Mystakidis

During his journey, he made his way through the Rioja wine region where he learned about the farmers' challenges as a result of climate change. The area is getting warmer each decade, resulting in earlier harvests and an increase to the wine's alcohol content, among other issues. Curious to understand more about the implications of these changes, Alexander turned to Swiss Re Agriculture Risk Analyst and modeller, Stefanos Mystakidis, after his journey. Together they delve into risks and opportunities around agricultural, specifically viticulture, and discuss climate risks and the role of the reinsurance industry.

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Insights on renewable energy developments with Swiss Re's Michele Cibrario

On his journey, Alexander encountered the Alto del Perdon, a famous stop in the northern Spain on the Camino Francés. There he noticed the wind turbines by the renowned iron sculpture at the top of the hill. This gave him hope that we're taking steps to move away from our dependence of fossil fues and made him want to understand more about these new and emerging technologies. After his journey, alexander met Swiss Re Co-Head of the Centre for Competence on Renewables, Michele Cibrario. Together they discuss the green energy transition, emerging technologies and the critical role the re/insurance industry plays to facilitate the change.

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The new normal of extreme weather with Swiss Re's Tamara Soyka

The effects of extreme weather were ever present along Alexanders journey. Evidence of past wild fires was clear, soaring temperatures made his already arduous route even more difficult as well as.... were all indicators of an increasingly warming planet. Alexander met Swiss Re's Head of Cat Perils for EMEA, Tamara Soyka, to discuss whether this is the new normal and if so, whether these extreme weather incidences can all be marked down to climate change.

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A unique partnership

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This initiative highlights the importance of collaboration between thought leaders and industry experts in tackling climate change. By combining Verbeek's expertise in climate advocacy and Swiss Re's knowledge in risk management, this collaboration brings forth a powerful message about the urgency of addressing climate-related risks. Along Alexander's journey, viewers will gain a deeper understanding of the linkages between climate change and natural catastrophes, inspiring action and fostering resilience.

  • ALEXANDER VERBEEK: A CLIMATE CHANGE INFLUENCER

    Alexander Verbeek is a well-known climate change influencer, speaker, and diplomat. With a background in environmental sciences, Verbeek has dedicated his career to raising awareness about the climate crisis and promoting sustainable solutions. Through his engaging social media presence, he has inspired millions of people worldwide to take action and make a positive impact on the environment. Verbeek's ability to communicate complex scientific concepts in a relatable manner has made him a trusted source of information on climate chang​

  • SWISS RE: A COMMITMENT TO CLIMATE RESILIENCE

    Swiss Re has a long-standing commitment to understanding and managing the risks associated with natural catastrophes. With our extensive expertise in risk analysis and insurance, wewe play a crucial role in helping individuals, businesses, and governments prepare for and recover from disasters. Recognizing the increasing frequency and severity of natural disasters due to climate change, we at Swiss Re actively supports initiatives that address climate-related risks and raise awareness on the importance of building resilience.​

  • A JOURNEY THROUGH VIDEOS

    Verbeek aims to illustrate the impact of climate change on the landscapes and communities along the Camino Frances route. By showcasing real-life examples of extreme weather events, ecosystem disruptions, or socio-economic challenges related to climate change, Verbeek will shed light on the urgent need for adaptation and mitigation strategies. Furthermore, Verbeek will emphasize the role of insurance and risk management in building resilience against natural catastrophes.

    The collaboration between Verbeek and Swiss Re not only raises public awareness about climate change but also contributes to the ongoing efforts to create a more sustainable and resilient future.​

A journey through pictures

You can follow Alexander's journey via these images that visualize the most important milestones.

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