The climate crisis and enormous decline in biodiversity present Europe with two scenarios. Or Europe will continue as usual and create an even greater separation between man and nature, with all the consequences that entails. Or European people work together with nature, exchange concrete for respect for the landscape, and let nature guide the design […]
The Earth: Old and New European Values Read More »
Nature is not a choice, we are nature Nature is amazing and in all the countries I visit it keeps surprising me in all its diversity and beauty. Additionally, it is the one thing that always makes me feel better when I am having a bad day. Ever since I was a child nature has
Nature is not a choice, we are nature Read More »
One of the most compelling figures I saw over the last few years is the one where the total weight of all mammals on earth, so all elephants, whales, rhinos, deer, cats, dogs, cows, pigs, humans, and the rest are compared to the weight of the separate categories. The outcome (see https://ourworldindata.org/wild-mammals-birds-biomass): Livestock make up
Red Alert: wild mammals make up only a few percent of the world’s mammals! Read More »
You can often find me in wet, muddy and beautiful ecosystems: wetlands! I work in peatlands, fresh and salt marshes, mangroves, seagrass meadows and bivalve reefs. Such wetlands are home to unique biodiversity. Here, species are adapted to wet, sometimes acidic, salty or dynamic environments. Importantly, wetlands are often dominated by ecosystem engineers: species that
Wet landscapes for sustainable futures Read More »
I have dedicated most of my working life to the protection, management and restoration of nature. More than 40 years ago, triggered by the Berne Convention, we began to gain traction through national legislation that allowed sites to be designated to protect fragile habitats and species. It was around that time that I began working
Our Nature: A Legacy at Risk Read More »
My aim is to make myself redundant. This may sound bizarre, but I am an environmental toxicologist. I study the impacts of pesticides and other chemicals on environmental organisms and biodiversity, and can’t wait for the day that my job is obsolete, not needed anymore. For the day that we have found other, more sustainable
To become redundant Read More »
It is common knowledge that the Earth has changed considerably in recent centuries because of increasing economic and population growth. These changes have been so significant in recent years that scientists see the beginning of a new geological era, the Anthropocene, an era in which man has become the most important factor in degrading the
Planetary Health: The Need for a Paradigm Shift Read More »
The degradation of nature in Europe, including issues like nitrogen emissions, declining soil quality, and the reduction of pollinators, underscores the urgent need for action. Global biodiversity agreements highlight this necessity. Nature not only holds intrinsic value but also provides essential resources and services such as clean air, water, and healthy soils, which are critical
Advocating for a Nature-Positive Future: A Call to Action Read More »
During a recent trip to Costa Rica, I had the opportunity to delve into the country’s lush landscapes alongside Don Carlos, a local resident. He introduced me to a hidden gem: a verdant patch of forest nestled within agricultural lands in the northern region, where his family owns a cattle farm. Don Carlos stumbled upon
Exploring Costa Rica’s Green Corridors and Insights for Europe Read More »
I grew up on a farm in Hoornaar in the beautiful area of the Alblasserwaard, part of the green heart of the Netherlands. From early childhood on, I was intrigued by nature. I scoured the ditches catching fish, leeches and amphibians, collected plants on the meadows creating my own wild garden and watched birds. My
Nature is not political Read More »
