Cargill and Nestle, two of the world’s largest agri and food companies are already switching to regenerative agriculture in the supply chain. This low to no input, nature friendly practice sequesters carbon, regenerates the soil and allows nature to flourish. The investment to transition is high – €93 per 0.40 ha (acre) and should be […]
Companies lead, government lags Lire la suite »
Bij de komende Europese verkiezingen staat veel op het spel. Blijft de Europese Unie Oekraïne steunen in de oorlog tegen de Russische agressor? Komt extreem rechts aan de macht? Houden we uitverkoop als het gaat om de waarden waarop onze samenleving is gebouwd? Voor de natuur ziet de toekomst er beroerd uit. De rijkdom van
Kies voor het leven! Lire la suite »
Dit was lang geleden een wanhopige, maar serieuze vraag van een collega. “We weten precies wat weidevogels nodig hebben: waarom doen boeren niet gewoon wat we zeggen?” Ik ben die collega nog altijd dankbaar, want het gaf mij een extra zetje om mij te verdiepen in wat boeren nodig hebben om voor biodiversiteit te zorgen.
Waarom doen boeren niet gewoon wat we zeggen? Lire la suite »
The loss of tropical forests is often in the news. We see pictures of barren land next to forest, of chainsaws, of bulldozers. Depressing images. These new items generate frustration and anger, among politicians, conservationists, scientists and many more. We are frustrated by the loss of ecosystems that are so vastly diverse, that generate rainfall
The EU and tropical deforestation Lire la suite »
Every morning, when I cycle through a small strip of flourishing garden behind the hospital, I often find myself puzzled by the web of interactions that sustain this mini ecosystem. It’s a tranquil spot, full of life—colorful nature and singing birds. As a medical doctor – however – I also see the threats that loom
As a doctor, I feel the urgency. Change is still possible Lire la suite »
This essay analyses the current backslash relating to the EU Green Deal and identifies four distinct explanations for it (changing political mood, Baptists-Bootleggers politics, planned implosion, and counter mobilization). It then argues for three main changes needed to strengthen EU nature policy: 1) more transparency, including the assessment of trade offs, 2) more participation, and
Biodiversity is a broad concept, often difficult to grasp. Nonetheless, our research on biodiverse consumption shows that people value biodiversity and wish to protect it. But what is the best way to do this, and what influence does one consumer have in a system that seems to be ruled by profitability? These questions arise when
Societal engagement for biodiversity? Provide a framework for action! Lire la suite »
The Netherlands is famous for many of its domesticated plant exports, not least tulips but also vegetable seeds. Together with plant breeders, we are researching into how to breed for crops that are adapted to more biodiverse growing conditions (e.g. intercropping, where more than 1 crop species is simultaneously cultivated). Biodiversity in agriculture has been
Breeding for biodiversity Lire la suite »
Having worked over 30 years on international conservation, I’m proud of what has been achieved in Europe. Natura 2000 is the largest protected area network in the world, with in general well-managed sites, this is a tremendous achievement! I’m organising knowledge exchange between Member States, around the Birds and Habitats Directives. European countries are very
Natura 2000: much to be proud of! Lire la suite »
As an ecologist and (soil) biodiversity scientist, I am always interested in nature. But I also see the need for food, and therefore agriculture. What I long did not understand is that many kids nowadays do not even know how their very basic food, like potatoes grow. What I was also surprised about and learned
