Coldplay is widely known for their music, but fans who look beyond the stage are also aware of their continued philanthropic efforts. The most recent initiative they have undertaken is investing in Dutch non-profit, The Ocean Cleanup. Together they are tackling the global challenge of removing plastic from our oceans.
We proudly present the new Netherlands in Perspective 2021. Besides the latest statistics, this booklet also offers examples of how the Netherlands works together with local and global partners to address societal and economic themes.
Today, cities are home to over 50 per cent of the world’s population, and that number will only rise in the future. How do we keep a growing urban population healthy and happy? Green spaces promote healthy living and working environments, reduce stress and increase happiness. Nature improves air quality and water management, reduces heat and boosts creativity, vitality and a sense of community. With these in mind, Urban Landscapes Romania (ULR) develops green concepts that support the healthy lifestyle of Romania’s urban population.
To raise awareness about the great urgency required to address water-related challenges, the Netherlands is launching the We Value Water campaign. You can participate by downloading our We Value Water communication kit. The kit includes: virtual backgrounds, a GIF, ready-to-use social media posts and, the NL sticker which you can put on your corporate communications, and customisable visuals to show that you are part of the campaign and stand for the value of water.
Droughts in Somalia. Water rationing in Rome. Record high Rhine water levels in the Netherlands. You do not have to be a hydrologist to realise that there is a growing global water crisis. Billions of people do not have access to safe drinking water at home or lack safely managed sanitation. Water scarcity is increasing, water quality is decreasing and water ecosystems are under threat, which all contribute to decreasing water availability, affecting vulnerable communities the most. Projections suggest the world may face a 40% shortfall in water availability by 2030 (UN 2016). Water shortages are now affecting more than three billion people around the world, as the amount of fresh water available for each person has plunged by a fifth over two decades, data has shown. The World Economic Forum has ranked water risk consistently as a major threat to the global economy for the past eight years.
As the world population increases, so does the need for high quality, safe and nutritious food. Our challenge? To increase supply, without damaging the environment. Farmed fish could potentially meet this growing demand and environmental criteria. In Kenya, FoodTechAfrica works with local partners to develop a sustainable aquaculture sector using localised Dutch technology.
As more and more people move from rural to urban areas, municipalities face the challenge of keeping urban environments liveable. Public green space, such as parks and forests gives people extra breathing room for the city. It has a profound effect on our physical and mental health and bring communities together. With that in mind, Dutch designer Carve and Omgeving and contractor Krinkels transformed part of an old mine in Belgium into an adventure playground.