Healing the planet by changing the underlying story

The recent UN climate report and the Urgenda appeal case reflect hopeful developments with regard to dealing with climate change. But there are alternative views, reaching beyond the emphasis on numbers and statistics, that deserve attention as well.

Wim Bonis • November 02, 2018

Traffic jams and smoking bans

When we compare the latest Dutch measures to deal with traffic jams and smoking, we see that we are actually facilitating the rise of traffic pollution while tightening the smoking bans. This shows that we are still not truly environmentally aware.

Wim Bonis • May 02, 2018 • 1 comment

Inspired by wilderness

For a long time civilisation was equated with cultivating wilderness and urbanisation. Now climate change is threatening us, in many fields – including law – the positive value of wilderness is being rediscovered and the importance of experiencing it.

Wim Bonis • August 21, 2017 • 2 comments

World Wide Waste

The programme ‘Ocean Clean Up’ promises to rid the oceans of ‘plastic soup’. This is a very welcome initiative. But only effective when it is accompanied by a change in the way we deal with plastic, by a change in our sense of self.

Wim Bonis • May 24, 2017

The reality of climate change

Many Dutch politicians still consider climate change a long-term issue, but obviously it has become a here and now reality. To become ecologically minded involves putting the environment first and ourselves second – accepting our place in nature.

Wim Bonis • April 05, 2017

How to stop exploiting and destroying landscapes

Dutch minister Kamp has again decided in favour of gas exploitation, whilst Europe was hit by unprecedented heavy rainfall, leading to immense destruction. The link between these issues is our ongoing disrespect for the landscape. What can we do?

Wim Bonis • June 29, 2016 • 5 comments

Respecting the Rights of Mother Earth

While various problems threaten us these days, we might forget that the worldwide ecological issue remains. It is only by taking the Rights of Mother Earth seriously that this problem can be structurally solved.

Wim Bonis • October 14, 2015

Exploiting shale gas: a risky gamble

The Dutch Minister for Economic Affairs publicly stated in August that he – contrary to many protests – is in favour of this exploitation. His economic short-term thinking seems ignorant of the real scope of the risks involved.

Wim Bonis • September 10, 2013

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