BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam//NONSGML v1.0//EN NAME:Alumni Event - Against the Current: The VU Climate Dream METHOD:PUBLISH BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART:20261102T184500 DTEND:20261102T211500 DTSTAMP:20261102T184500 UID:alumni-event-against-the-curre@8F96275E-9F55-4B3F-A143-836282E12573 CREATED:20260924T210546 LOCATION:New University Building (VU Campus), 1111, Theater Hall 2, De Boelelaan, 1081 HV, Amsterdam SUMMARY:Alumni Event - Against the Current: The VU Climate Dream X-ALT-DESC;FMTTYPE=text/html:

Wildfires in the Arc tic seem far removed from our daily lives. Yet it is precisely these fires that can have major consequences for the climate, and, conseque ntly, for us as well. During this alumni event, scientists from vario us disciplines will explore this timely topic together with the audie nce.

The focus will be on how we can prepare for a future with more wildfires, and how we can encourage individuals, businesses and governments to take action when climate goals conflict with pers onal, economic and political interests. A great opportunity to join t he discussion on this topical issue and to meet other alumni!

What do wildfires mean for us?

Wildfires across Europe regular ly made the news this summer. During this event, we will focus on a l ess familiar phenomenon: lightning-caused wildfires in Alaska and Sib eria. Earth scientist Sander Veraverbeke will discus s his research into wildfires in the Arctic and their impact on green house gas emissions and the climate.

A firefighter will then ex plain how the fire service is preparing for a future in which wildfir es are becoming increasingly common.

Why is it so difficult to change our behaviour?

The effects of climate change are becom ing increasingly visible, yet maintaining sustainable behaviour remai ns challenging. Evolutionary psychologist Mark van Vugt will explain how our primitive instincts can get in the way: we t end to focus primarily on ourselves, the people close to us and the s hort term. But how can we use these very characteristics of our brain s creatively to encourage more sustainable behaviour?

Economist Steven Poelhekke approaches the question from a different perspectiv e. He will show how price incentives can encourage consumers and busi nesses to make more sustainable choices and discuss the challenges of climate policy at a time of geopolitical tensions.

Which stor ies and images inspire action?

What do we actually see when we look at a forest on fire? From an Environmental Humanities perspecti ve, Kristine Steenbergh explores how literature and art shape the way we think about nature, and how stories and images c an help inspire us to take action.

Part of the talk show will f eature an excerpt from the monologue Beste Mensen, inspired by 50 years of speeches on climate change. Actress Hannah van Lunteren will perform the piece.

Meet the st udents of Dream Team Burning Lowlands
Students from Dream Team Burning Lowlands will also be present at the event. The team br ings together Bachelor’s and Master’s students from a range of di sciplines to develop solutions to the impacts of climate change in th e Netherlands. You will have the opportunity to meet and talk to them during the break and after the event.

A ticket costs €1 0. Your admission fee supports the VUfonds in funding research and projects that contribute to a sustainable future, including the work of Sander Veraverbeke and Dream Team Burnin g Lowlands.

Language
Dutch
The programme can be followed in several languages using a translation a pp.

DESCRIPTION: Wildfires in the Arctic seem far removed from our daily l ives. Yet it is precisely these fires that can have major consequence s for the climate, and, consequently, for us as well. During this alu mni event, scientists from various disciplines will explore this time ly topic together with the audience. The focus will be on how we can prepare for a future with more wildfires, and how we can encourage in dividuals, businesses and governments to take action when climate goa ls conflict with personal, economic and political interests. A great opportunity to join the discussion on this topical issue and to meet other alumni!

What do wildfires mean for us?

Wildfires across Europe regularly made the news this summer. During this event, we wil l focus on a less familiar phenomenon: lightning-caused wildfires in Alaska and Siberia. Earth scientist Sander Veraverbeke will discuss his research into wildfires in the Arctic and their i mpact on greenhouse gas emissions and the climate.A firefighter will then explain how the fire service is preparing for a future in which wildfires are becoming increasingly common.

Why is it so difficult to change our behaviour?

The effects of climate change are becom ing increasingly visible, yet maintaining sustainable behaviour remai ns challenging. Evolutionary psychologist Mark van Vugt will explain how our primitive instincts can get in the way: we t end to focus primarily on ourselves, the people close to us and the s hort term. But how can we use these very characteristics of our brain s creatively to encourage more sustainable behaviour?Economist Steven Poelhekke approaches the question from a different perspective. He w ill show how price incentives can encourage consumers and businesses to make more sustainable choices and discuss the challenges of climat e policy at a time of geopolitical tensions.

Which stories and ima ges inspire action?

What do we actually see when we look at a for est on fire? From an Environmental Humanities perspective, Kr istine Steenbergh explores how literature and art shape the way we think about nature, and how stories and images can help inspir e us to take action.Part of the talk show will feature an excerpt fro m the monologue Beste Mensen, inspired by 50 years of speech es on climate change. Actress Hannah van Lunteren wi ll perform the piece.

Meet the students of Dream Team Burning Lowlands
Students from Dream Team Burning Lowland s will also be present at the event. The team brings together Bachelo r’s and Master’s students from a range of disciplines to develop solutions to the impacts of climate change in the Netherlands. You wi ll have the opportunity to meet and talk to them during the break and after the event.

A ticket costs €10. Your admission fee supports the VUfonds in funding research and projects that contribute to a sustainable future, including the work of Sander Veraverbeke and Dream Team Burning Lowlands.

Language
Dutch
The programme can be fol lowed in several languages using a translation app. END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR