From our experts

Chikungunya is an infectious disease that causes, among other things, severe and prolonged joint inflammation. For a long time, we considered chikungunya, malaria, dengue and Zika to be (sub)tropical diseases that posed little threat to Western Europe. But is that still true? Recent research sheds light on whether climate change is bringing these diseases our … Read more

The first warm days of the year are arriving earlier and earlier and are also getting warmer. That may be pleasant for people who are tired of the dreary winter. But it is also a result of climate change, with all its serious consequences. I, too, have enjoyed the beautiful spring weather these days, because … Read more

Coral reefs act as climate sensors: since the first bleaching was observed in the 1980s, they have consistently shown the impact of warming and acidification. Overfishing, nutrient pollution and disease have pushed these fragile ecosystems to a critical tipping point, if they have not already passed it. The question is whether recovery is still possible. … Read more

“Good” climate communication is often thought to consist of accurate facts: whether climate change exists (yes) and whether humans play a major role in it (absolutely). The counterpart is climate misinformation: the deliberate dissemination of incorrect information and misleading ideas about causes, solutions and those responsible. The assumption is that the former leads to more … Read more

Rutger Schilpzand We are in a bizarre situation when it comes to the climate crisis: On the one hand, humanity is hurtling down a mountain at breakneck speed, heading straight for the abyss. And we are still unable to apply the brakes, because global CO2 emissions are continuing to rise. On the other hand, a … Read more

Gerben ter Riet Epidemiologists love the term ‘risk’. They try to quantify health risks. This is not easy when it comes to health risks as a result of man-made global warming. Health itself is a difficult concept. In the past, it meant ‘absence of disease’, but later it came to refer to complete physical, mental … Read more

Sander Otte My name is Sander Otte, professor of technical physics at Delft University of Technology. My area of expertise is quantum physics. You may not immediately associate quantum physics with the climate problem. However, there is an important connection. Only quantum physics can explain why a carbon dioxide molecule absorbs infrared radiation, while a … Read more

Sergej van Middendorp On Monday 1 December, the National Citizens’ Climate Assembly presented its advice to the government. In a comprehensive report, the 175 Dutch citizens who formed the assembly made 23 recommendations in response to the question posed by politicians to the citizens’ assembly: “How can we, as the Netherlands, eat, use goods and … Read more

The myth of the ‘self-made millionaire’ conceals a system of privilege and exploitation  Eva de Bock & Anna Sach Welcome to the community of greatness. Be here & be great. At first glance, this bombastic, elitist language seems to come straight from Trumpian political theatre, far removed from the down-to-earth attitude of the Netherlands. Yet these … Read more

Arthur Oldeman The EU presented new emission targets (90% reduction compared to 1990 by 2040 and between 66% and 72% by 2035) on top of the already established 55% by 2030 and climate neutrality by 2050. The EU claims to be committed to the 1.5 °C target in the Paris Agreement. However, a calculation based … Read more