A Brolly Good Place To Work

Sep 7 2008

Three Experts Tell Why Their Jobs Are So Changeable

CLIMATE CONSULTANT

KIRSTY LEWIS

CLIMATE change consultant Kirsty came under daily shelling as she provided weather reports for pilots flying missions in Iraq.

The 32-year-old, who now works at the Met Office HQ in Exeter, advises governments and businesses on how they can change their ways to survive global warming.

The job: I predict the effects of climate change and help governments and businesses reduce their carbon footprint.

How I did it: When I joined the Met Office I started providing weather forecasts for the RAF.

I was working in war zones such as Iraq and Kuwait providing weather information for Tornado pilots flying missions.

I also helped out in peacekeeping missions to Bosnia. In Iraq I was based in Basra Airport and we were coming under fire all the time. The shelling was scary but you just got on with the job.

I joined the climate research unit last year. There is no debate the climate is changing, it is now about how it is changing and what is going to happen.

Some of the figures are terrifying. There are key tipping points if you see temperatures rise beyond a certain point.

If the Greenland ice sheet melts, sea levels will rise by seven metres which will have devastating consequences for low-lying countries like Bangladesh.

It is my job to inform governments and businesses where they should build dams or evacuate entire areas.

The Amazon forest is like the lungs of the planet. If temperatures rise plant life will start to die out and global warming will accelerate even faster plus the impact on agricultural productivity will be devastating.

There has been a 0.7 per cent rise in temperatures over the last 150 years but it is accelerating.

In 2003 there was a heatwave that caused 30,000 extra deaths.

People want to know how often that will happen in the future.

You can't help but lead by example. I run two miles to work instead of driving, I recycle and have changed my insulation and light bulbs.

Perks: We do some world-class science here.

Five-year plan: Working hard to make people understand the effects of climate change.

Tips: You need to be a good communicator to talk to scientists and ordinary people.

FORECASTER

ROBIN STEEL

ROBIN spent years doing shipping forecasts and vital weather reports for Nimrod spy planes.

Now the 42-year-old, of Aberdeen, advises the oil industry about putting new oil platforms in place.

The job: I am a meteorologist and forecaster for the Met Office in Aberdeen.

How I did it: I joined the Met Office as an assistant science officer and worked my way up the ranks to senior science officer.

I spent six months at RAF Kinloss doing advanced forecasting. After that I did the shipping forecast for several years. I moved to Aberdeen in the early 90s and started doing offshore work. Now my job is split between providing detailed five-day forecasts for the offshore industry and going offshore for up to three weeks at a time when they are putting the new fields together.

I look for a weather window so they can manoeuvre the legs into place on the sea bed. You need 24 to 30 hours of good weather for the operations which cost tens of millions of pounds so it is important you get everything right. Thank God it has never gone wrong. It can take up to six weeks to get the right weather but it is stunning seeing the lifting barges at work.

The office has around 35 staff including 20 forecasters covering Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Perks: I like extreme weather. I like the cold and I love snow.

Five-year plan: I enjoy my job and I want to stay here.

Tips: Stick in at school and get your grades. They prefer you to go down the degree route but there are opportunities in areas ranging from climate change to management.

INSTRUMENT EXPERT

DARREN LYTH

DARREN was part of the support team for Richard Branson's failed round-the world balloon trip in 1998.

The 42-year-old, of Titherton, Devon, says improving the accuracy of weather forecasts is rewarding.

The job: I am an instrument scientist based at Met Office HQ in Exeter.

I am involved in the development and testing of surface instruments that measure pressure, humidity, temperature and wind speed.

How I did it: I joined the Met Office as an assistant. I did Open University degrees in natural sciences and environmental decision-making.

I worked for the upper air section where I developed technology for weather balloons.

We look at new devices and run field trials on them during various weather conditions.

The information is used to get more accurate weather data.

I was part of the support team for Richard Branson's balloon attempt in 1998. I flew to Morocco to check conditions before launch.

There was a commotion in the hotel and someone told me Branson's balloon had broken free.

I looked up and there it was, floating forlornly by.

Perks: I have worked in the Falklands and Ascension Islands.

Five-year plan: Hopefully, I will be in a management position.

Tips: Helpful qualifications include maths, physics and programming although training provided is excellent.