{"id":87957,"date":"2018-06-16T22:22:23","date_gmt":"2018-06-16T20:22:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/?p=87957"},"modified":"2025-12-19T11:23:01","modified_gmt":"2025-12-19T10:23:01","slug":"duurzaamheid-begint-bij-jezelf-en-in-kleine-stapjes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/2018\/06\/16\/duurzaamheid-begint-bij-jezelf-en-in-kleine-stapjes\/","title":{"rendered":"‘Sustainability starts with yourself, one step at a time’"},"content":{"rendered":"

Together with fellow representative Martijn Visser, Clemens embarked on tour on a tandem bicycle. \u00a0They started in Nijmegen, with The Hague as the final destination. Their aim is to talk about climate and sustainability with as many young people as possible and to submit the outcome to Prime Minister Rutte and the UN climate summit in December.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Emma Clemens and Martijn Visser<\/span><\/p>

\n\t\n\n<\/svg>\n<\/span>\n\tImage by:<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMartijn Visser<\/span>\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Rotterdam was the last stop before they (temporarily) park their tandem bicycle in The Hague. Here they held a session with students on the Erasmus University campus. More than twenty young people showed up, far more than they expected. \u201cThis is so cool,\u201d Clemens exclaims enthusiastically.<\/p>\n

To handle the excited public, the two have to improvise: three workgroups become five and new subjects are added on the spot. \u201cIn a moment, we\u2019ll discuss sustainable energy, housing, campus, economy and transportation,\u201d Clemens, who is doing a master\u2019s degree in Economics and has a bachelor\u2019s degree in Law, informs the participants.<\/p>\n

UN summit<\/h2>

During their cycling trip through the country, Clemens and Visser have spoken to hundreds of young people at schools and youth centres. Visser explains: \u201cWe met them all, from first grades VMBO to university students, plus everything in between, and also in different environments. Each day we gave a one-hour session in five or six locations. \u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe started with a presentation and let the youngsters take part. We always asked the same questions: given the fact that we all have to be sustainable, how do you see the future? What should we change?\u201d Clemens adds. \u201cDuring this sustainability discussion, we try to stay close to their reality.\u201d<\/p>\n

On Friday, they will deliver the result of these talks to Prime Minister Rutte. \u201cFurthermore, we will also write a report with our findings and ideas and take them to the upcoming UN climate summit in Poland,\u201d says Visser.<\/p>\n