Sustainable Earth Newsletter - October 2010
4 oktober 2010
'Sustainable Earth' is one of NWO's themes in research. Subjects are human behaviour, use of natural resources and ecology, all for a sustainable planet Earth. This newsletter focuses on research and activities by NWO and occasionally also includes articles by other partners.
NWO strategy 2011-2014
Internationalisation: Chinese–Dutch cooperation programme going well |
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NWO presented its strategy this summer for the period 2011-2014. Various features of the strategy are to be highlighted in future Sustainable Earth newsletters. This time the focus is on 'internationalisation'. NWO wants to make an extra commitment to providing opportunities for international cooperation and to strengthening the role of Dutch research in addressing global issues. Jan Karel Koppen, director of NWO Policy Development and Support (BOO), explains that NWO already does this, for example in its cooperation programme with China. Read more |
Subsidy news
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| NWO and the Wadden Academy recently organised a subsidy round in which scientific consortia were able to submit research proposals that aim to bridge the gap between the sciences and social sciences in the area of policy–oriented marine and coastal research. The international assessment committee was full of praise for this joint initiative as it encourages the training of specialists in the overlap area between research and policy. Seven proposals were submitted, of which five were developed in detail and three received funding. |  |
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The Randstad has a serious problem with accessibility. Scientific knowledge can help improve sustainable and climate–proof accessibility. Researchers working on three new short research projects will address the electrification of the transport system, smart mobility management and sustainable infrastructure management and maintenance. Their research projects will be carried out as part of the NWO Sustainable Accessibility of the Randstad programme. This programme is an initiative of the Ministry of Transport in collaboration with the Ministries of Economic Affairs, Planning and Environment and Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality. Read more |
Publications
NWO book about the social and behavioural aspects of climate change published |
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The Social and Behavioural Aspects of Climate Change: Linking Vulnerability, Adaptation and Mitigation was published in September; the result of the social science NWO climate programme VAM (Vulnerability, Adaptation and Mitigation). VAM focuses on the social, legal and economic dimensions of climate change. The book is of particular topical interest as scientific research and political debate are undergoing a shift from the formulation of problems to agendas for the implementation of solution strategies. The book provides the knowledge required in this area. It is of relevance to social scientists and policymakers working in government positions in the field of climate change, as well as to anyone who wants to know what the social and behavioural sciences can contribute in dealing with the effects of climate change, for example policymakers working for NGOs, legal and financial institutes, power companies, and so on. It is possible to order a free copy, as long as supplies. Read more (in Dutch) |
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| Sustainable energy and energy–saving schemes will become cheaper if they are implemented more often. However, it is important that policymakers, scientists and the industry have a better understanding of future energy technology cost dynamics. Energy researchers Martin Junginger, André Faaij and Wilfried van Sark of Utrecht University explain their ideas and these dynamics in a recently published book, partly financed by NWO. The Utrecht chemists and physicists use experience curves to show how future costs of sustainable energy depend on the extent to which energy technology is implemented in practice. These curves are applied in the book to both conventional and sustainable energy technologies: from biomass technology to nuclear energy and coal–fired power stations. Read more |  |
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| The large KSI (Knowledge network for System Innovations and Transitions) research programme was concluded in June with a symposium, new publications and even a rock song. Two books were presented at the conference. In 'Verbreden, verdiepen, opschalen, KSI tussen wetenschap en praktijk', author Diederik van der Hoeven describes the six year history of KSI. In 'Transitieagenda voor Nederland' Jan Rotmans, one of the directors of KSI, reveals what is needed in the Netherlands to achieve a fully sustainable society. Both books can be ordered for free at drift@fsw.eur.nl. Also recently published is 'Transitions to Sustainable Development' by professors Jan Rotmans, Johan Schot and John Grin. This academic book is the first of a series of roughly six books about transition management, to be written by various authors in the coming years. For blogs and other news please go to: http://www.sustainabilitytransitions.com The CCT (Competence Centre for Transitions) Transitiepraktijk.nl website aims to help transition professionals by providing knowledge and an understanding of theoretical and practical system innovation. The site works as a toolkit and includes examples of successful transitions in various policy areas and social sectors. |
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Disaster Studies group in Wageningen publishes series of papershe research group run by Prof. Thea Hilhorst has published the 'Occasional Papers' series. The first issue 'Human security and capacity in Fragile States' by Ian Christoplos and Thea Hilhorst is now available online at http://www.disasterstudies.wur.nl/UK/Publications/Paper+Series. It deals with issues regarding social economic recovery in fragile states, relevant to humanists, development workers and academics. |
Research results
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Large-scale abstraction of groundwater for irrigation of crops leads to a sea level rise of 0.8 mm per year, which is about one fourth of the current rate of sea level rise of 3.1 mm per year. This conclusion follows from a study by hydrologists from Utrecht University and the research institute Deltares. A paper about this study is currently in press with Geophysical Research Letters. Read more |
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| The effects of global climate change will also be felt in the Netherlands. This is of particular relevance to local authorities, which are both involved in spatial planning and have a detailed knowledge of their own areas. How do municipalities adapt to climate change and what drives this process? Researchers at the University of Twente have discovered that the size of the municipality and the political persuasion of the responsible councillor have the most influence on climate policy. In addition, knowledge about climate change appears to vary greatly between authorities, from minimal layman's knowledge to very specific practical knowledge. Maya van den Berg, a member of the research team, describes their findings. Read more | |
Energy output of integrated solar cells can be accurately calculated |
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A new technique allows industrial designers and architects to integrate solar cells simply and efficiently into their designs. This is the result of research carried out by physicist Nils Reich, who was awarded his doctorate from Utrecht University on 14 September. The uncertainty regarding the energy output of solar cells can mean that designers are reluctant to include them in their products and buildings. Reich's method makes it possible to predict the precise energy output of the integrated solar cell, using existing design software. |
Trees provide cooling during heat waves |
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| Trees have the best local cooling effect during extremely long heat waves. Trees evaporate less moisture in the initial stages of a heat wave, so that local temperatures rise at first. However, during extremely long hot periods evaporation from trees continues for a much longer time, so that they produce an overall cooling effect. Grass initially has a cooling effect, but this disappears during long hot periods. This is the result of research carried out by Rubicon winner Ryan Teuling, published in Nature Geoscience. Read more |
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Estimation of malaria risks based on oversimplified temperature data |
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When making malaria predictions it is better not to look at the average monthly temperature but at variations around the average temperature. These have proven to be far more important for the development and survival of malaria parasites and malaria mosquitoes. Rubicon researcher Krijn Paaijmans published this research finding in the journal PNAS. This new insight is important for determining the risk of malaria during climate change, but also for control of the malaria mosquitoes with fungi, for example. Read more |
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| Switching to hybrid cars that run on sustainable biofuels is cheaper and easier than switching to hydrogen or electric cars. However, the three car/fuel combinations described achieve the same greenhouse gas emission reductions as using oil. This is the result of research conducted by environmental scientist Oscar van Vliet, who was awarded his doctorate from Utrecht University on 30 August. Read more |  |
News in brief
Darwin Center for Biogeosciences starts five new research programmes |
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The Darwin Center for Biogeosciences has approved five research proposals by Dutch biogeologists. This was the seventh and, for the time being, last opportunity for scientists to submit proposals to the Center. The topics being addressed in the new projects include: greenhouse gas emissions in permafrost areas, the role of micro–organisms in the carbon cycle and anoxic conditions in coastal areas. Many top scientists from seven different institutes (UU, UvA, VU, WUR, RU Nijmegen, NIOO and NIOZ) work together at the Darwin Center for Biogeosciences at the interface of biology and the earth sciences. NWO funds 50% of the Center's budget. Read more. |
Scientific expedition to Antarctica on film |
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Dutch scientists talk about their mission, research and experiences during an international climate expedition to Antarctica between January and March 2010. The Dutch scientists are working on the drilling ship Joides Resolution, which can bore sediment cores of four kilometres long. These cores tell the story of the Antarctic climate over millions of years. NWO, NIOZ, the Darwin Center and Utrecht University funded the filming of the complete expedition, which can be seen on YouTube. |
Agenda
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As part of the Open Access week in the Netherlands, NWO is organising a symposium on Open Access publishing in the Geertekerk in Utrecht on Tuesday 12 October 2010. For further information and to register: |
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On Monday 8 November, NWO and NICIS are organising a conference in Utrecht for researchers, policymakers and other professionals working on the issue of how to ensure that future accessibility to urban areas remains sustainable and climate proof. For further information and to register: |
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Under the title 'Towards a New Knowledge for Scale Sensitive Governance of Complex Systems', an international and interdisciplinary group of 100 to 150 researchers will meet on 11 and 12 November in Wageningen to exchange ideas. A pre–conference for PhD students will be organised on Wednesday 10 November. For further information and to register: |
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A public event, partly as a follow–up to the International Polar Year. Includes a scientific symposium, as well as literary, photography and film activities and excursions. All information can be found at: |
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Colophon
The Sustainable Earth Newsletter is issued by NWO. It informs readers on activities, research and other topics in the field of the NWO-theme Sustainable Earth. The content of this newsletter is based on NWO programmes. Interviews and editing by Ymkje de Boer MSc, in cooperation with all relevant NWO employees, nieuwsbriefda@nwo.nl.
More information
Read more about the NWO-theme Sustainable Earth on the programme website and register for this newsletter.
