Woorden geven aan een duurzame toekomst

Pathways to Sustainability-conferentie 2019

Terwijl de van plastic gemaakte 'Skyscraper-walvis' uit het ijs torent in de gracht naast TivoliVredenburg, vindt binnen een levendige en amicale Pathways to Sustainability-conferentie plaats. Bijna 500 deelnemers luisterden naar de keynotes varierend van een memorabele speech van Diederik Samsom tot een reflectieve kijk op de uitdagingen horend bij duurzaamheid door Sheila Jasanoff, hoogleraar aan Harvard. Deelnemers gingen aan de slag met verschillende duurzaamheidsonderwerpen tijdens de interactieve parallelsessies. In de afsluitende paneldiscussie debateerden experts met de zaal over de manier waarop de universiteit zou moeten veranderen om de huidige duurzaamheidsuitdaging aan te gaan.

(Dit artikel gaat hieronder verder in het Engels.)

Click pictures to enlarge. Credit: Ivar Pel

Almost 500 participants, some 55% from within the university, and 45% from other universities, ministries, business or NGOs, were warmly welcomed by Dr Vanessa Timmer and Prof Marleen van Rijswick. Prof Maarten Hajer and Rector Henk Kummeling continued the programme. “It may sound paradoxical, but our research shows adding complexity can bring solutions closer”, said Hajer.

Deep interdisciplinary collaboration

The first keynote speaker Prof Sheila Jasanoff is seen as one of the key intellectuals in the ‘Science and Technology Studies’ tradition, which she co-founded. She warned that we take the categories of thought for granted, too easily. Most scientific terms, even a seemingly neutral term like CO2 is loaded with political meaning. It is only through a deep interdisciplinary collaboration that we can avoid falling into the trap of being political without us realising it.

Produce and consume more plant-based proteins

The second keynote speech was held by founder of the Green Protein Alliance Jeroen Willemsen. Using his innovative vegetarian ‘meat’ as an example, Willemsen showed how innovative researchers, companies, and investors worldwide are leading the quest for new concepts and businesses models for plant-based protein. But how can we best urge consumers and producers to produce and consume more plant-based proteins? Nudging expert Prof Denise de Ridder reflected on his presentation in an on-stage discussion.

Video: what message do the participants take home from the conference?

Dare to dream big

The last eye-opening speech was held by Diederik Samsom, chair of the Klimaattafel Gebouwde Omgeving and former politician. Samsom used the narrative of Thea Beckman’s book ‘Children of Mother Earth’ and his recollection of the sinking of the ‘Rainbow Warrior’, the Greenpeace ship, to explain his political motivation to work on the sustainability transition. In his speech, that came straight from the heart, Samsom dared to dream big, and was optimistic, just as Jeroen Willemsen before him.

Amicable ambiance

After Samsom’s energising talk moderator Vanessa Timmer encouraged all participants to search for unfamiliar people and to start a conversation over lunch. This worked of course, but during the vegan lunch the general ambiance was amicable and the most overheard sentences were ‘Haven’t seen you in a while’, ‘How are you doing?’ and ‘But have you met my colleague already?’. Confirming that the sustainability community is solid but yet still expanding.

Meaningful education

While enjoying the delicious vegan sandwiches participants had the possibility to attend a live talk show on diversity in education. All talk show participants agreed that it is, without a doubt, necessary to diversify the student population. At the same time we have to make sure we offer every single student meaningful education, and we have to give them the right tools to pursue their goals after graduation.

Click pictures to enlarge. Credit: Ivar Pel

Discussing sustainability challenges

At 2 o’clock all 500 participants split up into six different break-out sessions. During these sessions they could discuss sustainability challenges in more detail. Participants were challenged to come up with their boldest step to create fully circular cities. Others attended a heated panel discussion about decarbonising the industry. A third group had to roll up their sleeves and tried to imagine how our Dutch delta looks in the future. What pathways should we walk to get there?

During another session plans were made on how to optimally use the Utrecht Science Park campus as a living lab where researchers, students and partners shape, test and further develop sustainable innovations on campus. Another break-out session elaborated on the keynote speech of Jeroen Willemsen, raising the question how to transform our diet from animal proteins to plant based proteins. The last session used the plastic whale in the canal outside as a metaphoric ‘whale in the room’ to conclude that narratives are crucial in the transition to a sustainable world. And circular economy alone is not enough anymore.

How should universities reinvent themselves?

All this sustainable buzz came together during the concluding panel discussion. Moderated by Dr Vanessa Timmer and Prof Maarten Hajer, experts across the disciplines sat side by side to discuss how should universities reinvent themselves to advance sustainability? King’s College Professor Frans Berkhout, Water Law Professor Marleen van Rijswick, Diederik Samsom, Utrecht University honorary doctor Sybil Seitzinger, paleoceanographer Prof Appy Sluijs and the spirited Elizabeth Dirth came with pointed suggestions. The days of the scientific ivory tower are over, so much was clear. And although the participants differed on the ‘how’, they all recognised that we need to go outside and engage with the world. Through students, through civilians, through media or by connecting science with societal stakeholders and institutions.

The panel discussion, however amazingly interesting, had to come to an end, and concluded the conference as well. Many participants stayed for a few drinks and some delightful snacks to have some final discussions. Many thanks to all the participants and organisation who made this conference possible.