policy

Nederlands, Papiamento and Papiamentu below.

DCNA has been actively promoting a nature focused agenda both within The Netherlands and internationally.  Whether it’s championing the Yarari Marine Mammal and Shark Sanctuary, establishing new partnerships or pushing for a Climate Action Plan, 2022 has been a banner year for improved nature conservations efforts within the Dutch Caribbean.

One of the many goals of DCNA is to promote policy and advocacy work, both within The Netherlands and internationally. Together with DCNA board members, the conservation network organization has been actively engaging politicians and policy makers in order to stress the importance of nature conservation within the Dutch Caribbean. Below are a few highlights from the past few months of this important work:

Yarari Sanctuary Implementation Act

The implementation act for the Yarari Marine Mammal and Shark Sanctuary was finally approved in the Dutch Council of Ministers on Friday the 8th of July. This was an important next step in protecting sharks, whales and dolphins in the waters of Bonaire, Saba and St. Eustatius. Since the designation of the Yarari sanctuary in 2015, DCNA has been actively involved in drafting the implementation act and the organization is pleased to see the governance structure of the Sanctuary finally being put in place

New Collaborations

Photo credit: Naturepics: Y.+T. Kühnast

In June, DCNA partner organization Blue Marine Foundation invited DCNA to London to meet Lord Zach Goldsmith (Minister for the Pacific and the Environment) to discuss the UK’s Blue Belt Programme, a support program for the UK’s Overseas Territories to assist in fisheries monitoring and control. Together with the Blue Marine Foundation, DCNA is now exploring if such a program could be replicated in the Dutch Caribbean.

Climate Action Plan

In May, as part of the working visit of DCNA Director Tadzio Bervoets and DCNA Chair Hellen van der Wal to the Netherlands, the organization presented its Climate Action Plan for the Dutch Caribbean to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Kingdom relations (BZK) and to the Ministry for Climate with a plea for the Dutch Government to actively work with stakeholders on climate proofing the Dutch Caribbean. The plan was also presented to Members of Parliament Jorien Wuite en Lammert van Raan during a Masterclass held at Pulchri Studio in The Hague.

DCNA will continue to work actively to continue to push forward a more structured support for Nature Conservation within the Dutch Caribbean.  There are a number of promising new projects, such as aiding in the implementation of the Nature and Environment Policy Plan BES and the upcoming Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee (STAC) of the Specifically Protected Areas and Wildlife (SPAW) protocol. You can stay up to date on all the latest DCNA news by signing up for the monthly newsletter BioNews by visiting www.dcnanature.org/news.

DCNA Director Tadzio Bervoets and DCNA Chair Dr. Hellen van der Wal presenting the Dutch Caribbean Climate Plan to the Director General for Kingdom Relations Mr. Henk Brons (Photo Irene Kingma)

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Nederlands

Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance lobbyt internationaal voor meer draagvlak voor natuurbehoud in Caribisch Nederland

DCNA is actief bezig geweest met het promoveren van een agenda met focus op de natuur zowel binnen Nederland als op internationaal gebied.  Of het nu gaat om het verdedigen van het Yarari zeezoogdier- en haaienreservaat, het aangaan van nieuwe partnerschappen of het aandringen op een Klimaat Actie Plan, 2022 is een uitstekend jaar geweest voor verbeterde inspanningen op het gebied van natuurbehoud in de Nederlandse Cariben.

Een van de vele doelstellingen van DCNA is het promoten van activiteiten van beleid en belangenbehartiging, zowel binnen Nederland als op internationaal gebied. Samen met DCNA-bestuursleden heeft de netwerkorganisatie voor natuurbehoud actief politici en beleidsmakers betrokken om het belang van natuurbehoud binnen de Nederlandse Cariben te benadrukken. Hieronder volgen een paar hoogtepunten van de afgelopen maanden van dit belangrijke werk:

Uitvoeringswet Yarari Sanctuary

Op vrijdag 8 juli is de uitvoeringswet voor het Yarari Marine Mammal and Shark Sanctuary definitief goedgekeurd in de Nederlandse ministerraad. Dit was een belangrijke volgende stap in de bescherming van haaien, walvissen en dolfijnen in de wateren van Bonaire, Saba en Sint-Eustatius. Sinds de aanwijzing van het Yarari-reservaat in 2015 is DCNA actief betrokken geweest bij het opstellen van de implementatiewet en de organisatie is verheugd dat de bestuursstructuur van het reservaat eindelijk is ingevoerd.

Photo credit: Naturepics: Y.+T. Kühnast

Nieuwe samenwerkingen

In juni heeft DCNA-partnerorganisatie Blue Marine Foundation, DCNA uitgenodigd in Londen om Lord Zach Goldsmith (minister voor de Stille Oceaan en Milieu) te ontmoeten om het Britse Blue Belt-Programma te bespreken, een ondersteuningsprogramma voor de overzeese gebieden van het VK om te helpen bij visserijmonitoring en -controle. Samen met de Blue Marine Foundation onderzoekt DCNA nu of een dergelijk programma navolging kan krijgen in Nederlandse Cariben.

Klimaat Actie Plan

In mei hebben, DCNA-directeur Tadzio Bervoets en DCNA-voorzitter Hellen van der Wal als onderdeel van het werkbezoek van DCNA aan Nederland, het Klimaat Actie Plan voor Caribisch Nederland gepresenteerd aan het ministerie van Binnenlandse Zaken en Koninkrijksrelaties (BZK) en aan het ministerie van Klimaat, met een pleidooi voor de Nederlandse regering om actief samen te werken met belanghebbenden aan het klimaatbestendig maken van Caribisch Nederland. Het plan is ook gepresenteerd aan de Tweede Kamerleden Jorien Wuite en Lammert van Raan tijdens een Masterclass in de Pulchri Studio in Den Haag.

DCNA zal zich actief blijven inspannen om een meer gestructureerde ondersteuning van het natuurbehoud binnen Caribisch Nederland voort te zetten. Er zijn een aantal kansrijke nieuwe projecten, zoals het meewerken aan de uitvoering van het Natuur- en Milieubeleidsplan BES en de aanstaande Wetenschappelijke en Technische Adviescommissie (STAC) van het Specifiek Beschermde Natuurgebieden en Wildernis (SPAW) protocol. U kunt op de hoogte blijven van al het laatste DCNA-nieuws door u aan te melden voor de maandelijkse nieuwsbrief BioNews via www.dcnanature.org/news.

Fotobijschrift: Van links naar rechts: DCNA-directeur Tadzio Bervoets en DCNA-voorzitter Dr. Hellen van der Wal presenteren het Klimaat Plan Caribisch Nederland aan de directeur-generaal Koninkrijksrelaties dhr. Henk Brons (Foto Irene Kingma)

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Papiamento

Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance ta Lobby Internacionalmente pa Mayor Apoyo na Conservacion di Naturalesa den Caribe Hulandes

DCNA ta promoviendo activamente un agenda centra riba naturalesa, tanto na Hulanda como na nivel internacionalmente. Sea defendiendo Santuario di Tiburon y Mamifero Marino di Yarari, estableciendo asociacion nobo of impulsando un Plan di Accion Climatico, 2022 tabata un aña excepcional pa mehora e esfuersonan di conservacion di naturalesa den Caribe Hulandes.

Un di e tanto obhetivonan di DCNA ta pa promove maneho y trabou di promocion, tanto na Hulanda como internacionalmente. Hunto cu e miembronan di hunta di DCNA, e organisacion di e red di conservacion tabata involucrando activamente politiconan y legisladornan pa enfatisa importancia di conservacion di naturalesa den Caribe Hulandes. Akibou ta sigui algun aspecto cu a  destaca e ultimo lunanan di e trabou importante aki:

Ley di Implementacion di Santuario di Yarari

E ley di implementacion di Santuario di Tiburon y Mamifero Marino di Yarari a keda finalmente aproba pa Conseho di Ministro Hulandes diabierna dia 8 di juli. Esaki tabata un proximo paso importante den proteccion di tiburon, bayena y dolfijn den e awanan di Boneiro, Saba y St. Eustatius. Desde e designacion di e santuario di Yarari na 2015, DCNA a participa activamente den redaccion di e ley di implementacion y e organisacion ta contento di mira cu finalmente a implementa structura di maneho di e santuario.

Photo credit: Naturepics: Y.+T. Kühnast

Colaboracionnan nobo

Den luna di juni, e organisacion asocia na DCNA Blue Marine Foundation, a invita DCNA pa reuni na Londen cu Lord Zach Goldsmith (Ministro di Pacifico y di Medio Ambiente) pa papia tocante e Programa Blue Belt di Reino Uni, un programa di apoyo pa e teritorionan di ultramar di Reino Uni pa yuda den monitoriamento y control di pesca. Hunto cu Blue Marine Foundation, DCNA awor ta explorando si e programa ey lo por replica su mes den Caribe Hulandes.

Plan di accion climatico

Den luna di mei, como parti di e bishita di trabou di director di DCNA, Tadzio Bervoets, y e presidente di DCNA, Hellen van der Wna al, na Hulanda, e organisacion a presenta su Plan di Accion Climatico pa Caribe Hulandes na Ministerio di Interior y Relacion di  Reino (BZK) y Ministerio di Clima cu un peticion pa gobierno Hulandes traha activamente cu e stakeholdernan den proteccion climatico di Caribe Hulandes. El plan tambe a keda presenta na e miembronan di Parlamento Jorien Wuite y Lammert van Raan durante un Masterclass teni na Pulchri Studio na den Haag.

DCNA ta sigui traha activamente pa continua pusha un apoyo mas structura pa conservacion di naturalesa den Caribe Hulandes. Tin un serie di proyecto nobo y prometedor, con pa yuda den implementacion di e Plan di Maneho di Naturalesa y Medio Ambiente BES y e proximo Technical Advisory Committee (STAC) di e protocol di Area y Bida Silvestre specificamente Protegi (SPAW). Bo por keda mantene bo mes al tanto tocante e ultimo noticianan di DCNA door di suscribi bo mes pa e boletin mensual BioNews bishitando www.dcnanature.org/news.

Abou riba e potret: Di robes pa drechi: director di DCNA, Tadzio Bervoets, y presidente di DCNA, Dra. Hellen van der Wal, presentando e Plan Climatico di Caribe Hulandes na Director General di Relacion di Reino, Sr. Henk Brons (potret Irene Kingma)

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Papiamentu

Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance ta Buska na Nivel Internashonal pa Oumento di Sosten pa Konservashon di Naturalesa na Karibe Hulandes

DCNA tabata aktivo ku promoshon di un agènda ku enfoke riba naturalesa, na Hulanda i riba nivel internashonal. Sea ku ta pa sostené e parke marino pa mamífero di laman i tribon ‘Yarari Marine Mammal and Shark Sanctuary’, òf ku ta pa realisá lasonan di partner òf ku ta pa presentá un Plan di Akshon di Klima, 2022 a bira un aña eksitoso pa esfuersonan di drecha konservashon di naturalesa denter di Karibe Hulandes

Un di e tantísimo metanan di DCNA ta pa promové maneho i propagá trabou, tantu den Hulanda komo riba tereno internashonal. Huntu ku e miembronan di DCNA su direktiva, e fundashon di ret di kontakto pa organisashon di konservashon a move aktivamente pa atendé ku polítikonan i agentenan di skirbi maneho pa por enfatisá e importansia di konservashon di naturalesa denter di Karibe Hulandes. Akibou ta sigui algun di e logronan di e trabou importante akí den e lunanan tras di lomba:

Lei di Realisashon di Yarari Sanctuary

Finalmente Konseho di Minister di Hulanda a aprobá riba djabièrnè 8 di yüli e lei di realisashon di e parke marino pa mamífero i tribon ‘Yarari Marine Mammal and Shark Sanctuary’. Esaki tabata un siguiente paso importante den protekshon di tribon, bayena i dòlfein den e awanan di Boneiru, Saba i Statia. For di momentu di apuntashon di e parke Yarari na 2015, DCNA tabata aktivamente embolbí den konsipiá e lei di realisashon i e organisashon ta kontentu di mira ku finalmente ta realisando e struktura di manehá e santuario.

Photo credit: Naturepics: Y.+T. Kühnast

Kolaborashonnan nobo

Na luna di yüni DCNA su organisashon partner Blue Marine Foundation a manda invitá DCNA pa bin Londres pa bin topa Lord Zach Goldsmith (Minister di e área di Pasífiko i di Medioambiente)  pa diskutí tokante Reino Uní su Programa di Faha Blou (Blue Belt Programme), un programa di sosten pa e Teritorionan Ultramar di Reino Uní pa sostené monitoreo i kontrol di peskeria. Huntu ku Blue Marine Foundation, DCNA aktualmente ta eksplorando si un programa similar lo por haña realisashon na Karibe Hulandes.

Plan di Akshon pa Klima

Na mei, komo parti di e bishita di trabou di DCNA na Hulanda, DCNA su direktor Tadzio Bervoets i presidente di direktiva Hellen van der Wal a presentá DCNA su Plan di Akshon pa Klima na Karibe Hulandes, na e Ministerio di Asuntu Interno i Relashon denter di Reino (BZK) i na e Ministerio di Klima ku un súplika na Gobièrnu di Hulanda pa traha aktivamente huntu ku stakeholdernan pa hasi Karibe Hulandes resistente na kambio di klima. Tambe a presentá e plan na e Parlamentarionan Jorien Wuite i Lammert van Raan durante un master charla ku nan a tene na Pulchri Studio na Den Haag.

DCNA lo kontinuá traha aktivamente pa yega na un forma di sosten mas strukturá pa Konservashon di Naturalesa denter di Hulanda Karibense. Tin algun proyekto nobo prometedor, manera sosten den implementashon di e Plan pa Maneho di Naturalesa i Medioambiente BES i e benidero Komitiva Konsehero Sientífiko i Tékniko (Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee/STAC) di  e protokòl pa Área Spesífikamente Protehá i di Naturalesa (Specifically Protected Areas and Wildlife / (SPAW). Bo por keda na altura di tur e último notisia di DCNA dor di registrá pa e boletin mensual BioNews dor di subi  na www.dcnanature.org/news.

Riba foto: Di robes pa drechi: DCNA su Direktor Tadzio Bervoets i DCNA su presidente Dr. Hellen van der Wal presentando e Plan pa Maneho di Naturalesa i Medioambiente na e Direktor General di Relashon denter di Reino sr. Henk Brons (Foto: Irene Kingma)

Published in BioNews 57.

Nederlands, Papiamento and Papiamentu below.

On Saturday, June 18th 2022, State Secretary Her Excellency Drs. Alexandra van Huffelen visited the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) office in Bonaire.  The DCNA made use of the opportunity to request her urgent attention to the conservation of the biodiversity hotspot in the “Kingdom of the Netherlands”.  The six Dutch Caribbean Islands are well known for their beautiful and diverse nature, whilst at the same time its conservation has not been sufficiently addressed. The current support from the Netherlands is mainly directed to the BES islands.

And, as nature does not have any borders, it is of the utmost importance that the Kingdom provides support to all the six Dutch Caribbean Islands in nature conservation plans and projects such as DCNA’s Dutch Caribbean Climate Action Plan.

DCNA’s Treasurer, Mr. Norman Kuipéri, of the Aruba National Park Foundation, and board member Mr. Paul Stokkermans, of the Carmabi Foundation from Curaçao , together with DCNA’s Director, Mr. Tadzio Bervoets, gave a presentation to Her Excellency highlighting DCNA’s work, including the challenges and threats the Protected Area Management organizations on each of the islands are facing, in their efforts to conserve and safeguard nature in the Dutch Caribbean. The lack of sustainable funding, policy support, and adequate spatial planning hamper conservation management efforts. Amongst the most significant threats include poorly regulated (coastal) development, waste and wastewater management, as well as overgrazing, overfishing, the impact of invasive species, and of climate change (warming of the seas, changing weather patterns, and rising sea levels).

Constructive discussions were held on the above topics, including climate change, and DCNA’s Dutch Caribbean Climate Action Plan, which was launched in May of 2022. This plan provides concrete recommendations for all six islands on both climate adaptation and mitigation strategies in order to combat climate change effects. Sustainable development and combating climate change require an integrated approach that prioritizes protection of nature, energy independence, sustainable tourism, and a diverse blue economy. Most importantly, this needs to be a joint effort where the countries work together to strengthen each other’s effort and determination.

Photo: left to right: Ms. Nina Zander (DCNA Climate Research intern), Mr. Diego Marquez (DCNA Research & Monitoring Workgroup assistant), Mrs. Tineke van Bussel (DCNA Research Communication liaison), Mrs. Emeray Martha-Neuman (DCNA Office manager), Mr. Tadzio Bervoets (DCNA Director), State Secretary H.E. Drs. Alexandra van Huffelen, Mr. Norman Kuipéri (DCNA Treasurer), Mr. Paul Stokkermans (DCNA board member)

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Nederlands

Staatssecretaris Hare Excellentie Drs. Alexandra van Huffelen krijgt een dringend bericht over natuurbescherming in het Nederlands Caribisch gebied.

Op zaterdag 18 juni 2022 heeft Staatssecretaris Hare Excellentie Drs. Alexandra van Huffelen het kantoor van de Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) op Bonaire bezocht. De DCNA heeft van deze gelegenheid gebruik gemaakt om haar dringende aandacht te vragen voor het behoud van de biodiversiteitshotspot in het “Koninkrijk der Nederlanden”. De zes Nederlands Caribische eilanden staan ​​bekend om hun prachtige en diverse natuur, terwijl het behoud ervan op hetzelfde moment onvoldoende wordt geadresseerd. De huidige steun vanuit Nederland is vooral gericht op de BES-eilanden. Maar, aangezien de natuur geen grenzen kent, is het van het grootste belang dat het Koninkrijk ondersteuning biedt aan alle zes de Caribische eilanden in diens natuurbehoud plannen en projecten, zoals DCNA’s Klimaat Actieplan voor het Nederlands Caribisch gebied.

DCNA’s penningmeester, dhr. Norman Kuipéri, van de Aruba National Park Foundation, en bestuurslid dhr. Paul Stokkermans, van de Carmabi Foundation uit Curaçao, gaven samen met DCNA’s directeur, dhr. Tadzio Bervoets, een presentatie aan Hare Excellentie waarin het werk van DCNA belicht werd, inclusief de uitdagingen en bedreigingen waarmee de beheerorganisaties van beschermde gebieden op elk van de eilanden worden geconfronteerd bij hun inspanningen om de natuur in Caribisch Nederland te behouden en te beschermen. Het gebrek aan duurzame financiering, beleidsondersteuning en adequate ruimtelijke planning belemmeren de inspanningen op het gebied van natuurbehoud. Tot de belangrijkste bedreigingen behoren slecht gereguleerde (kust)ontwikkeling, afval- en afvalwaterbeheer, evenals overbegrazing, overbevissing, de impact van invasieve soorten en klimaatverandering (opwarming van de zeeën, veranderende weerspatronen en een stijgende zeespiegel).

Er werden constructieve gesprekken gevoerd over bovenstaande onderwerpen, waaronder klimaatverandering, en over DCNA’s Klimaat Actieplan voor het Nederlands Caribisch gebied, welke in mei 2022 werd gedeeld. Dit plan biedt concrete aanbevelingen voor alle zes de eilanden over zowel klimaatadaptatie- als mitigatiestrategieën om de effecten van klimaatverandering te bestrijden. Duurzame ontwikkeling en de bestrijding van klimaatverandering vereisen een geïntegreerde aanpak die prioriteit geeft aan natuurbescherming, energieonafhankelijkheid, duurzaam toerisme en een diverse blauwe economie. Het belangrijkste is dat dit een gezamenlijke inspanning moet zijn waarbij de landen samenwerken om elkaars inzet en vastberadenheid te versterken.

Foto: van links naar rechts: mevrouw Nina Zander (DCNA Klimaat verandering onderzoeksstagaire) de heer Diego Marquez (DCNA Onderzoek & Monitoring Werkgroepassistent), mevrouw Tineke van Bussel (DCNA Onderzoek Communicatie liaison), mevrouw Emeray Martha-Neuman (DCNA Office manager), de heer Tadzio Bervoets (DCNA directeur), staatssecretaris H.E. Drs. Alexandra van Huffelen, Dhr. Norman Kuipéri (DCNA Penningmeester), Dhr. Paul Stokkermans (DCNA bestuurslid)

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Papiamento

Secretaria di Estado su Excelencia Drs. Alexandra van Huffelen ta ricibi un mensahe urgente tocante proteccion di naturalesa den Caribe Hulandes.

Diasabra 18 di juni di aña 2022, Secretaria di Estado su Excelencia Drs. Alexandra van Huffelen a bishita oficina di Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) na Boneiro. DCNA a haci uzo di e oportunidad pa pidi su atencion urgente pa conservacion di hotspot di biodiversidad den  “Reino Hulandes”. E seis islanan di Caribe Hulandes ta bon conoci pa nan naturalesa bunita y diversifica, mientras cu na mes momento su conservacion no a wordo suficientemente aborda. E apoyo actual di Hulanda ta dirigi principalmente riba e islanan BES.

Y, ya cu naturalesa no tin frontera, ta di suma importancia pa Reino brinda apoyo na e seis islanan di Caribe Hulandes den nan plannan y proyectonan di conservacion di naturalesa, manera e Plan di accion climatico di Caribe Hulandes di DCNA.

Tesorero di DCNA, Sr. Norman Kuiperi, di Fundacion Parke Nacional di Aruba, y miembro di  board, Sr. Paul Stokkermans, di Fundacion Carmabi di Corsou, hunto cu Director di DCNA, Sr. Tadzio Bervoets, a duna un presentacion na Su Excelencia destacando e trabou di DCNA, incluyendo nan desafionan y esfuersonan pa conserva y salvaguarda naturalesa den Caribe Hulandes. Falta di financiacion sostenibel, apoyo politico y planificacion espacial adecuado ta obstaculisa e esfuersonan di parti di maneho di conservacion. Entre e menasanan mas importante ta inclui desaroyo (di costa) mal regula, maneho di desecho y awa residual, tambe pastoreo excesivo, piscamento excesivo, impacto di e especienan invasor y cambio climatico (keintamento di lama, cambio den e patronchinan climatico y aumento di nivel di lama).

A tene discusion constructivo tocante e temanan anterior, entre nan cambio climatico, y e Plan di Accion Climatico di Caribe Hulandes di DCNA, cu a wordo lansa na mei di aña 2022. E plan aki ta proporciona recomendacion concreto pa e seis islanan tocante strategia di mitigacion y adaptacion climatico pa combati cambio climatico y efecto di e cambio. Desaroyo sostenibel y lucha contra e cambio climatico ta rekeri un enfoke integral cu ta priorisa proteccion di naturalesa, independencia energetico, turismo sostenibel y economia blauw diversifica. Loke ta mas importante,  emester ta un esfuerso conhuntamente den cua e paisnan ta traha hunto pa fortalece e esfuerso y  determinacion di otro.

Potret: di robes pa drechi: Sra. Nina Zander (stagaire di investigacion climatico di DCNA), Sr. Diego Marquez (asistente di grupo di trabou di investigacion y monitoreo di DCNA), Sra. Tineke van Bussel (liaison di investigacion di comunicacion di DCNA), Sra. Emeray Martha-Neuman (Gerente di oficina di DCNA), Sr. Tadzio Bervoets (Director DCNA), Secretaria di Estado S.E. Drs. Alexandra van Huffelen, Sr. Norman Kuiperi (Tesorero di DCNA), Sr. Paul Stokkermans (miembro di board di DCNA)

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Papiamentu

Sekretario di Estado Su Ekselensia Drs. Alexandra van Huffelen a risibí un mensahe di urgensia tokante protekshon di naturalesa na Karibe Hulandes.

Djasabra 18 di yüni 2022, Sekretario di Estado Su Ekselensia Drs. Alexandra van Huffelen a hasi un bishita na ofisina di Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) na Boneiru.  DCNA a hasi uso di e oportunidat pa hala su atenshon urgentemente pa konservashon di e atrakshon grandi di biodiversidat den “Reino Hulandes”.  E seis islanan di Karibe Hulandes ta konosí pa nan naturalesa bunita i diverso, miéntras ku na mes momentu e konservashon di nan naturalesa no a haña sufisiente dedikashon. E sosten aktual di Hulanda ta dirigí prinsipalmente na e islanan BES.

I, komo ku naturalesa no konosé frontera, ta di sumo importansia ku Reino ta duna sosten na tur e seis islanan di Karibe Hulandes ku nan plannan i proyektonan di konservashon manera DCNA su Plan di Akshon pa Klima na Karibe Hulandes / Dutch Caribbean Climate Action Plan.

DCNA su Tesorero sr. Norman Kuipéri, di Aruba National Park Foundation, i miembro di direktiva sr. Paul Stokkermans, di Carmabi Foundation di Kòrsou, huntu ku Direktor di DCNA sr. Tadzio Bervoets, a duna un presentashon na su ekselensia enfatisando e trabou di DCNA, inkluso e retonan i menasanan ku e Organisashonnan di Maneho di Área Protehá ta enfrentá na kada un di e islanan, den nan esfuerso pa konservá i salbaguardiá naturalesa na Karibe Hulandes. E falta di fondo duradero, sosten di maneho, i planifikashon adekuá di teritorio ta un estorbo pa esfuersonan di maneho pa konservashon. Entre e menasanan mas signifikante ta inkluí regulashon pober di desaroyo di teritorio (na kosta), maneho di shushi i awa di kloaka, i tambe komementu eksesivo di bestia ku ta kana lòs den naturalesa, piskamentu eksesivo, e impakto di espesienan invasivo i/òf kambio di klima (kentamentu di oséano, kambio di patronchi di wer i subimentu di nivel di laman).

Diskushonnan konstruktivo a tuma lugá tokante e tópikonan menshoná akiriba, inkluso kambio di klima i DCNA su Plan di Akshon pa Klima na Karibe Hulandes. ku a keda lansá na mei 2022. E plan akí ta presentá rekomendashonnan konkreto pa tur e seis isla tantu riba adaptashon na klima komo pa strategianan di suavisashon pa kombatí efektonan di kambio di klima. Desaroyo duradero i kombatimentu di kambio di klima ta eksigí un strategia integrá ku duna prioridat na protekshon di naturalesa, independensia di energia, turismo duradero i un ekonomia blou diverso. Mas importante ainda, esaki ta eksigí di ta un esfuerso komun den kua paisnan ta traha huntu pa fortalesé esfuerso i determinashon di kada unu.

Foto: di man robes pa man drechi: Sra. Nina Zander (DCNA stazjèr Investigashon di Klima), sr. Diego Marquez (DCNA asistente di Grupo di Trabou Investigashon & Monitoreo), sra. Tineke van Bussel (DCNA Empleado pa Komunikashon di Investigashon), sra. Emeray Martha-Neuman (DCNA manager di Ofisina), sr. Tadzio Bervoets (DCNA Direktor), Sekretario di Estado Drs. Alexandra van Huffelen, sr. Norman Kuipéri (DCNA Tesorero), sr. Paul Stokkermans (DCNA miembro di direktiva)

Published in BioNews 55.

May 16th 2022- Today the DCNA launches a Climate Action Plan for the Dutch Caribbean. This plan provide concrete recommendations for all our islands on both climate adaptation and mitigation strategies to combat climate change effects.

Photo credit: A.O. Debrot

Caribbean islands are at the forefront of the climate crisis, with effects already starting to become noticeable in the region. Experts have warned, including in the recently released IPCC Sixth Assessment Report, that we have just ten years left to avert the worst climate impacts but that this will require decisive action, both in terms of adaptation and mitigation strategies.

The Dutch Caribbean islands are particularly vulnerable to climate change impacts. People’s lives and livelihoods as well as most economic activities are located near coastal areas while the region’s unique nature is already under pressure from human impacts. This is compounded by the fact that, due to the island’s small geographic area and limited human capacity, the resilience to recover from disastrous events is low.

As stewards of nature in the Dutch Caribbean the parks united in the DCNA see first-hand how the changing climate is already affecting the islands. We see it as vital for all the governments, both in the Netherlands and in the Dutch Caribbean,  to embrace this plan and collaborate with local stakeholders on the implementation of a climate smart future for our beautiful islands and their communities.

As the impacts of climate change worsen, it is essential that greater efforts are placed on enhancing the implementation of mitigation and adaptation strategies in the Dutch Caribbean. Sustainable development and combating climate change require an integrated approach that prioritises, protection of nature, energy independence, sustainable tourism industry, and a diverse blue economy. But most importantly this needs to be a joint effort where countries work together to strengthen each other’s effort and resolve.

Read the Dutch Caribbean Climate Action Plan in English.
Or in Dutch.

Published in BioNews 54

Veerkracht tegen klimaatverandering verloren door stapeling van drukfactoren

- stijgingen in de lucht

- en zeewatertemperatuur

- zeespiegelstijging

- verzuring van de zee

- toenemende verdroging van het klimaat

- woekerende invasieve soorten en tropische ziekten

- afname in biodiversiteit

- toenemend frequentie en kracht van orkanen

See also https://www.dcbd.nl/document/%E2%80%98nature-based-solutions%E2%80%99-zi...

Achtergrond

Caribisch Nederland (Bonaire, Saba en St. Eustatius) en de Koninkrijkspartners Aruba, Curaçao en Sint Maarten worden nu en in de komende decennia met toenemende mate geconfronteerd met zware nadelige effecten van klimaatverandering. Die effecten zijn onder andere: - stijging van de zeespiegel - stijgingen in de lucht- en zeewatertemperatuur - toenemende verdroging van het klimaat - woekerende invasieve soorten en tropische ziekten - afname in biodiversiteit - toenemend frequentie en kracht van orkanen. Laaggelegen delen van historische steden zoals Willemstad (Curaçao) en Philipsburg (St. Maarten) en overige aan de kust gelegen infrastructuur zullen zonder ingrijpen uiteindelijk aan de zee moeten worden prijsgegeven. De eilanden beschikken over een rijke biodiversiteit met veel soorten en ondersoorten die niet of nagenoeg nergens op andere plekken voorkomen. Deze soorten zijn vaak bijzonder kwetsbaar voor invasieve soorten en veranderingen in het milieu, waaronder ook die veroorzaakt door klimaatverandering. Omdat de natuur slecht in stand is gehouden, is er sprake van een sterk verminderde veerkracht bij klimaatverandering.

In het verleden is menigmaal gewezen op de noodzaak om een actief klimaatbeleid en een adaptatiestrategie te ontwikkelen en implementeren voor Caribisch Nederland. Helaas heeft het daar tot nu toe aan ontbroken. Deze noodzaak is onlangs opnieuw benadrukt door recente standpunten van de Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA, 2020) en Greenpeace Nederland (2022), en door een uitgebreide analyse de Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (2022) van de te verwachten gevolgen van klimaatverandering voor Bonaire.

See also https://www.dcbd.nl/document/powerpoint-httpswwwdcbdnldocumente28098natu...

Concerned at Lack of Mention of the Impacts of Climate Change During Address of King Willem Alexander at the Joint Session of the States-General of the Netherlands

Increased rain runoff due to a changing climate has been impacting the coral reefs of the Dutch Caribbean, including the coral reefs of Bonaire. Source: Marcel van der Kamp

The Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance expressed its concern at the lack of attention on matters related to the impact of Climate Change in the Dutch Caribbean in The Hague. Despite Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte mentioning the impacts of Climate Change in the Dutch Caribbean during his intervention at the UN General Assembly in September, very little concrete actions and support for what will be the most critical crises facing people of the Dutch Caribbean in the immediate future. The statements from the regional conservation network comes on the eve of the opening of CoP26 held in Glasgow, Scotland from November 1st to November 12th.

“While it was commendable that climate change has been mentioned by Dutch Politicians lately, we  are still quite concerned that very little attention is being paid to the impact climate change will have on the Caribbean part of the Kingdom, this while it is clear that those living in the Caribbean, the biodiversity hotspot of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, are at the forefront of the climate crises,” commented DCNA Director Tadzio Bervoets.

Bervoets continued to mention that during meetings held recently with various parliamentarians and directorates in the Netherlands, DCNA highlighted the existential crises posted by the changing climate; “We had to remind the politicians, bureaucrats and technocrats in The Hague that the various agreements and accords related to climate change are ratified by the Kingdom of the Netherlands and not by only the Netherlands, and as such there has to be increased focus in ensuring that the islands are better equipped to deal with what is expected to be an existential crises. We even had to explain issues such as increased hurricanes, coral bleaching, sargassum invasions and droughts to what we assumed would be experts in climate change who had no idea about these impacts. This is both disappointing and alarming,” continued Bervoets.

The most recent climate change predictions for the Caribbean region by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) are alarming and suggest that the islands of the Dutch Caribbean will go through profound environmental changes within the next few decades. The IPCC has projected that for the Caribbean Region an increase in air temperature of 1.4°C will result in a decrease in rainfall of 5 to 6%; an increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events including a 66% increase in hurricane intensity; and a rise in sea level of 0.5 to 0.6m as a result of thermal expansion of water and glacial melt.

In 2015 the Sint Maarten Nature Foundation conducted a study which modeled what the island will look like with just 1.5 meters of sea-level rise. Source: Sint Maarten Nature Foundation

These climate change predictions are especially worrying in the context of an already visible warming trend. Average temperatures in the Dutch Caribbean have risen steeply over the past 40 years according to recent data. In Curaçao, research carried out by the Meteorological Department found that over the past few decades the island has progressively experienced more hot days and fewer cooler nights. Because the islands of the Dutch Caribbean form two geographically distinct groups separated by more than 900 km of open water, it is expected that climate change will not impact these two island groups in the same way.  Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao are located in the Southern Caribbean, an area that is predicted to become warmer and drier, with longer seasonal dry periods. Saba, St. Eustatius and St. Maarten, which are located in the Northeast Caribbean and therefore within the Caribbean hurricane belt, are predicted to experience more frequent and violent tropical hurricanes, as was evident during the disastrous 2017 Hurricane Season. All of the Dutch Caribbean’s marine and terrestrial ecosystems and the species that inhabit them will be affected, to varying degrees. Coral reefs are predicted to be especially vulnerable as higher ocean temperatures and ocean acidification will undoubtedly result in mass coral bleaching events, among other things.

Hurricane Irma, whose unforeseen rapid intensification and whose impacts as one of the strongest Atlantic hurricanes ever recorded was a direct result of climate change. Source: NOAA

The economy of the Dutch Caribbean Islands is also largely dependent on tourism and it is expected that this single economic pillar will also be drastically impacted: increase in storms and hurricanes may result in tourists’ perception of destination as unsafe; beach erosion and coral bleaching may negatively impact perceptions of destination attractiveness; there will be an increased risk of damage to coastal resort properties by violent hurricanes and other storms and of damage to tourist attractions; on Bonaire, beach erosion due to loss of shallow reefs leaves historic plantation buildings like those of Washington Slagbaai Park vulnerable.

The Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) released a special edition of their free digital newsletter BioNews highlighting the challenges facing the Dutch Caribbean in the fight against climate change.  Using internationally accepted climate change predictions and (research) reports, impacts both above and below water have been defined for all six islands, stressing the need for immediate action to build resilience against the effects of climate change. Loss of nature has far reaching negative consequences for the local population since nature serves as both one of the most important sources of income and offers protection against extreme weather conditions. However, it will take a concerted effort to ensure that nature, lives and livelihoods are not lost due to inaction by decision-makers.

https://www.dcbd.nl/document/bionews-special-climate-change

Article published in BioNews 48

Introduction to the third edition of the UAUCU Student Research Exchange Collected Papers

This volume presents academic papers and personal reflections written by the twelve participants of the UAUCU student research exchange project 2017. The texts in this volume reflect a wide diversity of academic disciplines and approaches, as well as the wide diversity in cultural background of this year’s participant cohort. The program, which offers students from the University of Aruba (UA), University College Utrecht (UCU) and University Utrecht (UU) the opportunity to conduct research in a multidisciplinary international student team, has already proven to be a successful formula: work presented in the 2015 and 2016 volumes led to international publications, and several program alumni received thesis awards. We anticipate similar achievements for contributors to the 2017 edition.

The academic works included here treat culture, language, psychology, policy, law, environmental sciences and sustainability. The scope of the research ranges from pilot projects, to theoretical explorations verified with respondent data, to in depth sociocultural and psychological studies that explore fundamental issues confronting society. The diverse papers show a common interest in sustainable societies, reflecting a strong sense of community awareness, and providing research findings that are meaningful for Aruban society. The papers further demonstrate how the student researchers’ collaboration in a multidisciplinary team has influenced their approach to their topics. The papers here are products of peer-to-peer learning: the program participants provided each other with feedback on content, method, style, language and structure. In general, the papers appear here as they were submitted by the student-researchers -- including the odd spelling mistake, grammatical error, raw opinion or hasty generalization. Some of the student-researchers are still working on the interpretation and presentation of their findings, and will later finalize project papers, or bachelor or master theses, based on results of fieldwork presented.

Our 2017 multidisciplinary team is also remarkably multicultural: it includes students with personal connections not only to Aruba, but to Belgium, Colombia, Curaçao, Holland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Myanmar, Russia, Rwanda, South Korea, Thailand, the United States and Venezuela. The cultural and ethnic diversity of the group has contributed to an extraordinarily rich social environment for this year’s participants. All of them have written individual pieces reflecting on their personal experiences. These reflective texts show how strong the collaboration and mutual support within this diverse group has been. The texts reveal much about the core of this project: it is not only about doing meaningful research as a student; it is also about the realization that we can achieve more in the world when we approach problems from several perspectives at the same time, and when we work together by building on each other’s complementary strengths. Here, too, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

This third year of the project has involved many people crucial to its success – it is impossible to name them all. But to all who have been part of this project as (guest) lecturer, supervisor, manager, initiator, facilitator, student, interviewee, respondent, guide, coach or mentor: thank you very much for your contribution to this greater whole.

Eric Mijts & Jocelyn Ballantyne Project coordinators UAUCU

Culture, language, media and psychology

Louisa Maxwell

Calypso and cultural commodification in Aruba

Yun Lee

A correlation between cultural identity and juvenile delinquency in Aruba

Tanya Kirchner 

Understanding the roots of parasuicide among the adolescence in Aruba: associated risks and protective factors

Melany Llocclla

Volunteerism: an approach to encouraging more volunteering in Aruba

Zita Ngizwenayo

Adolescent perceptions on language and professional communication

Rachel Tromp

Social media use on Aruba in the business perspective

Policy, law, environmental sciences and sustainability

Rotem Zilber

Assessment of endemic fauna in key biodiversity areas

Larisa Leeuwe

Environmental law: national and international perspectives

Ben Bultrini

Community participation in solid waste management in Aruba

William Cruice

Entrepreneurial governance and sustainable development on Aruba: a cultural political economy approach

Rodolfo Rodriguez

The synergy between academia and industry: success factors towards a healthy partnership

Nayla Yarzagaray

The importance of tax compliance among SME’s in Aruba for business continuity

Introduction to the fourth edition of the UAUCU Student Research Exchange Collected Papers

This volume presents academic papers and personal reflections written by the participants of the UAUCU student research exchange project 2018. These texts reflect the diversity of academic disciplines and approaches, as well as the diversity in cultural background, of this year’s participants. The program, which offers students from the University of Aruba (UA) and University College Utrecht (UCU) the opportunity to conduct research in a multidisciplinary international student team, has already proven a successful formula: work presented in the 2015, 2016 and 2017 volumes led to international publications, and thesis awards for several program alumni. We anticipate similar achievements for contributors to the 2018 edition.

During the introductory week in January 2018, the student group defined their guiding principles and goals for the project (see these below). These principles and goals illustrate the collective dedication of the participants to contributing to the project in ways that would be meaningful for others and for themselves personally.

The academic works included here treat topics like identity, culture, creativity, entrepreneurship, economics, human resources, policy, and environmental conservation. The nature of the research is equally far-ranging, including pilot projects, theoretical explorations verified with respondent data, in depth environmental studies, and sociocultural studies that explore fundamental issues confronting society. The diverse papers are linked by a common interest in sustainable societies, reflecting a strong sense of community awareness, and providing research findings that have meaning for Aruban society. The papers further demonstrate how the student researchers’ collaboration in a multidisciplinary team has influenced their approach to their work. The papers here are products of peer-topeer learning: the student authors provided each other with feedback on content, method, style, language and structure. In general, the papers appear as submitted by the authors -- including perhaps the odd raw opinion or hasty generalization. Some of the student-researchers are still working on the interpretation and presentation of their findings, and will later finalize project papers, or bachelor or master theses, based on results of fieldwork presented.

The participants have all also contributed personal pieces reflecting on their experiences. The cultural and ethnic diversity within the group contributed to an extraordinarily rich social environment, and their reflective texts show the strength of the collaboration and mutual support within this diverse group. The texts reveal much about the power of this project: it is about the realization that we can achieve more in the world when we take multiple perspectives in approaching problems, and when we work together to build on each other’s complementary strengths.

This fourth year of the project has involved many people crucial to its success, and as in previous years, it is impossible to name them all. A special thank you goes to Jenny Lozano-Cosme and Carlos Rodriguez-Iglesias, both of the University of Aruba, who took their time to proofread all the papers. But to all others who have taken part as (guest) lecturer, supervisor, manager, initiator, facilitator, student, interviewee, respondent, guide, coach or mentor: thank you very much for your contribution to powering this year’s project.

Eric Mijts & Jocelyn Ballantyne Project coordinators UAUCU

Daniel van Heusden - UCU

Aruba’s Sustainable Entrepreneurial Ecosystem: Drivers and Barriers for Sustainable Entrepreneurship

Xavier Boekhoudt - UA

Policy for energy system innovation: Multi-actor policy-making of the Aruba energy transition

Jay-Mar Gamarra - UA

Perceived economic impact of tourism

Luc Lips - UCU

Determinants of eco-innovation: The Aruban Case

Annemieke Drost - UCU

Coral Health and Citizen Science

Emmeline Long - UCU

The impacts of oil contamination on the mangrove ecosystems of Aruba

Fabian Timpen - UCU and Emma Beroske - UCU

The impact of illegal dumpsites on the environment

Stephanie Arango - UA

Improving the Recruitment Procedure at the Renaissance Resort & Casino

Nora Röders - UCU

Becoming Aruban?

Thais Franken - UA

Putting Culture and Creativity in the Heart of the Aruban Sustainable Development

Dirijini Piter - UA

A look into the strategies utilized by SMEs on Main Street during the Oranjestad redevelopment program

Introduction to the sixth edition of the UAUCU Student Research Exchange Collected Papers

This volume presents research reports and personal reflections written by the 2020 participants of the UAUCU student research exchange program. This program, now in its sixth year, is founded on the principle that education should challenge students to engage actively not only with the content of their studies, but with the world at large.

As in previous years, students from the University of Aruba (UA) and from University College Utrecht (UCU) of Utrecht University carried out empirical research in and about Aruba, and supported each other in that process. Like the students of cohorts before them, they defined their own guiding principles and goals for their participation in the project during the orientation period. These ideas reflect their hopes of working in ways that could be meaningful to others as well as to themselves.

As in previous years, the topics of the students’ research are wide-ranging, drawing on the diverse backgrounds of their study programs, and yet all related to the sustainable development goals (SDGs) of the United Nations 2030 agenda. The works included here deal with issues of culture, employment, equality, leadership, media, policy and the rights of the state and of its people. The type of research ranges from studies on governance to studies on anthropology, economy and sociology. We think that the papers also show how participation in a diverse team influenced the authors’ approach to their work. The students provided each other with feedback on approaches to their research, and on the content, style, language and structure of their papers. The papers appear for the most part as submitted by the authors, including the occasional raw opinion or as yet underdeveloped conclusion. Some of the contributions reflect completed studies, some of the contributions are preparatory explorations. Most of the student-researchers are still working on interpretation and presentation of their findings and will finalize these soon in bachelor theses based on the results of the projects presented here.

This year’s research cycle, though, was anything but typical: 2020 brought COVID19 to Aruba along with the rest of the world. The extraordinary circumstances of the pandemic created an extra set of challenges for the students participating, beyond the challenges usually faced by students in their first serious efforts in empirical research. As of mid March, Aruba went in lock down, and the participants from UCU had to leave Aruba by the end of that month. These challenges, and the rewards of meeting them, are reflected in the personal reflections that all the contributors to this volume have written as a preface to the summary of their own research.

As in previous years, a range of people have also made crucial contributions to the students’ success. We, and our students, appreciate the importance and power of their input to this project as a whole. Among those, we especially want to thank UA’s Carlos Rodriguez-Iglesias for his help in proofreading the papers in preparing them for publication here. And to the many others who have had roles as guides, lecturers, mentors, advisors, facilitators, respondents, interview participants, and engaged citizens, thank you! We hope that you are as excited about the work presented in this volume as we are.

Keti Kapanadze

Beyond Opinion Polls: Multiple Voices of (non)sovereignty from Aruban People

Jairzinho Croes

Leadership and Good Governance in Public Organizations in Aruba

Charlotte Mehlhart

The Ocean Paradox: Values Held by Resource Users in Aruba’s Fisheries

Mikayla Quijada

Treating education as a business

Michele Li

Adolescent Health Issues on Aruba: A Children’s Rights-Based Approach

Hannah Mayr

The Condition of ‘Illegality’: Deconstructing the ‘Illegalization’ of Undocumented Venezuelans on Aruba

Introduction to the seventh edition of the UAUCU Student Research Exchange Collected Papers

This volume includes research reports and personal reflections written by the 2022 participants of the UAUCU student research exchange program. This year’s studentresearchers are 17 students from the University of Aruba and Utrecht University, six from UA’s Sustainable Islands through STEM (SISSTEM) program and 11 from UU’s University College Utrecht. They have been working on research in and about Aruba, and supporting each other in that process. Their texts reflect the fundamental aims that the program has had since its inception in 2015: to challenge students to engage actively not only with the content of research, but with each other and the world at large. These challenges, and the rewards of meeting them, are reflected in the personal reflections that contributors to this volume have written as a preface to the summary of their own research.

As in previous editions, the topics of the students’ research are wide-ranging, drawing on the diverse backgrounds of their study programs, and yet all related to the sustainable development goals (SDGs) of the United Nations 2030 agenda. The works included here treat, for example, issues of sustainability in tourism and in transportation, coastal ecologies, public participation, food security & food sovereignty, science communication, biodiversity, vertical farming, circularity and waste. The type of research ranges from studies on governance to studies on technology and engineering, anthropology, geology and sociology. We think that the papers also show how participation in a diverse team influenced the authors’ approach to their work. The students provided each other with feedback on approaches to their research, and on the content, style, language and structure of their papers. The papers appear as submitted by the authors, including the occasional raw opinion or as yet underdeveloped conclusion. Some of the contributions reflect completed studies, others are preparatory explorations. Most of the student-researchers are still working on interpretation and presentation of their findings and will finalize these soon in bachelor theses based on the results of the projects presented here.

The 2022 program nevertheless differs from the earlier cycles. The student-researchers taking part find themselves on an island, and in a world, changed by the COVID19 pandemic. We program coordinators have also re-booted the research exchange in a new form, after a year of hiatus forced by lockdowns around the world. The students from Utrecht prepared in November and December for their participation in a renewed preparatory module (Community-engaged research in the Caribbean), and joined the UA students in a new bachelor course at SISSTEM (Interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary approaches to sustainable development in small island states). Together in a classroom at UA, they defined their guiding principles and goals for their participation in the project. These ideas reflect their hopes of working in ways that could be meaningful to others as well as to themselves.

A range of people have also made crucial contributions to the students’ success, this year as in 2020 and earlier. We, and our students, appreciate the importance and power of their input to this project as a whole. We especially want to thank UA’s Carlos Rodriguez-Iglesias for his help in proofreading the papers in preparing them for publication here and for, together with Tobia de Scisciolo, fostering the collaboration between the UAUCU students and the Academic Foundation Year students in the Research Aruba Program. There are, in addition, many others who have had roles as guides, lecturers, mentors, advisors, facilitators, respondents, interview participants, and engaged citizens: thank you! We hope that you have anticipated work presented in this volume as eagerly as we.

Milena Stoilova

Sustainable tourism in Aruba: a myth or reality? A case study from the Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort

Klara Röhrs

Remembering the Coast: Assessing the coastline and coastal changes on Aruba by using volunteered geographic information (VGI)

Carlotta M. Henning

Learning to play it by ear: Understanding barriers to public participation in urban planning on Aruba

Karlijn van der Loo

If the Ship Stops Sailing: How can food sovereignty in Aruba be protected in public policy and developed as a notion in international human rights law?

Lynn Smeets

Impacting the island’s future: an insight into the effect of perceived efficacy of young Arubans on their civic and political engagement in environmental action

Maro A. Savvides

Communicating the Geologic History of Aruba: Contextualizing Gold and Incorporating Human Activity as a Geologic Force

Joao Wendrich Teixeira

Winds of change in Aruba: a Push For The Return of higher Biodiversity

Tracy van der Biezen

How citizen science can contribute to Aruba’s SDG indicators: Creating a framework for meta-analysis

Endy Brooks

SIDS vertical farming: water- and energy assessment on Albion strawberry production in Aruba

Nigel de Cuba

The challenges of implementing circularity in the flow of waste tyres on Aruba

Alejandra Moreno

Food security perceived by Aruban households

Armand Kelly

Electrification of airside equipment at Aruba Airport Authority

Rachel Nel

Fostering community stewardship: The role of sense of place in participation in environmental initiatives

Sophia Klaußner

Water = Water, right? Comparing wetlands on the island of Aruba to determine influences of wastewater effluents on the water quality of a wetland area

Laura Mathieu

Breathing Unevenly: Community Response to Environmental Injustice. A case study of Aruba’s Landfill and the Parkietenbos community

Michel Frank

Citizen science, a tool to fill the plastic waste data gap in Aruba

Daniel Balutowski

Brown Tides: Assessing the Past, Present, & Future State of Sargassum in Aruba