Advisor Climate Adaption
Throughout the interview, Soesja sheds light on the positive transformation of Amsterdam’s canals, which have gone from being too polluted to swim in during their childhood to now attracting people for refreshing swims on sunny days. As a professional specializing in water and climate adaptation, she provides unique perspectives on the evolution of water management and the challenges faced by the Netherlands, particularly concerning dike maintenance and rising sea levels.
Project leader, Environment Management
Discovering Environmental Stewardship: In a recent interview, we explored the world’s largest sea lock project with Jan Rinstra, an esteemed environmental manager. Jan’s primary role revolves around water management, emphasising eco-conscious policies. Throughout the discussion, we learn about the IJmuiden Sea Lock’s significance in promoting sustainable practices and its vital function in enhancing water resources, countering the effects of climate change, and facilitating maritime traffic with its impressive engineering.
Informed Layman
With Ingrid, we spoke about the basics of water management in Amsterdam. She explains some terminology we will hear more often during these water talks. The talk is about love for and fear of water and the pros and cons of living in a delta.
Hydrologist with Waternet
Being a Hydrologist, Maartje works at Waternet as a senior project manager and consultant. She knows all about the importance of securing the right water levels in the city and how to regulate them. When too much water is in the city, it needs to be pumped out. This happens at IJmuiden, where excessive water gets pumped into the sea. At times of drought on the other hand, large amounts of water are being pumped into Amsterdam from the IJsselmeer. How to regulate this well? Maartje Faasse tells us about her work.
Spokesperson at Vitens
How to communicate water? An inteview with Jessica Winkelhorst, a spokesperson of Vitens.
Water sample: tap water.
Field Worker
Jan van der Bij is a forester at the Staatsbosbheer on West-Terschelling. He tells everything about the management of waterways, the recently completed water splendor project and what exactly seepage water is. Water sample: seepage water.
Trainee
Joke recently completed a thesis looking at the impacts of salinization on the farming culture of Terschelling. Jokes research paid particular attention to the farmers themselves and their affinities. We spoke about her findings and her current work as a trainee with the Dutch Water authorities. Water sample: tapwater from Noordwij Tool: a deck of sustainability cards.
Infrastructure Engineer
With Ward we spoke about the flow of water, electricity and internet in large scale festival set-up. Water sample: festival toilet flushing water Tool: Plumbing coupler.
2nd Deputy Major
With the second deputy major on Terschelling we had a conversation about various facets of water policy. It was striking how “listening” in this interview became a bridging theme between art and policymaking. Water sample: tap water from Gemeente Tool: iPad.
Cattle Farmer
We interviewed Gerard at our pop up radio station in Hoorn forest.
We spoke about how much water a cow drinks on a hot day, about intergenerational labour on the farm and Gerard’s progress in saline agriculture. Water sample: ground water from the farm Tool: trench shovel.
District and Dijk Manager
Rayon manager and dike keeper Albert Kiers, works for Wetterskp Fryslân. He tells us about the inner and outer dike area on Terschelling. The island is slightly tilted: part is above NAP and part below. Kiers is constantly looking for the right water level for the whole area. A broadcast with a map, a salt meter and meticulous notes in an oldfashioned filofax. Water sample: ground water Tool: conductivity meter