The Effects of Climate Change Are Already Noticable in Bonaire, A Special Municipality of the Netherlands. Some Residents Feel Abandoned by the Dutch Government. Eight of Them Gone to Court with Greenpeace to Force Climate Action.
One of the Plaintiffs is 42-Year-old Policeman and Prison Guard Angelo Vrolijk. When Nu.nl Speaks to Him A Week Before the Trial, he is Busy Pre -Peration His Speech. In Court, he will personally address the state.
This is what cheerful does prior to the two-day sessions in the climate case he and seven co-plaintiffs and environmental organization greenpeace Have Filed Against the Dutch Government.
Bonaire, Like Saba and Sint Eustatius, is a Special Municipality of the Netherlands. This mean that the Island is administratively under the Netherlands, just though it is locationed in the Caribbean. Due to Climate Change, Small Islands Like Bonaire Are hit hard. The Plaintiffs Believe That The Government is not doing Enough to Combat Climate Change and to Protect Them Against the Consequences. The State disputes that.
Happy Has Been Involved in the Climate Case from the Beginning. He does not have a climate background, but as a trade union leader of the police union, he has or stood on the barricades, for example an increase in the minimum wage. In 2023, that was significantly increased after Several Actions.
Why did you decide to join Greenpeace’s Climate Case?
“Greenpeace approached us three years ago with the idea for the climate case. When I started looking into it, I found out that bonaire does not have a protection plan for the future. While climate research shows that the island is in Danger.”
“Our Nature is Being Destroyed and Our Island is Flooding. I Thought: If we can have influence and change the fate of Bonaire, I’ll Partipate.”
Born was in Arnhem and Lived in Aruba from the Age of Six. In 2010 he moved to Bonaire, where he has never left. The Nature on the Island Has Been Decisive for Him to Commit himself. About 60 percent of Bonaire consists of nature, such as mangrove forests and coral reefs, which provide protection against erosion and flooding. These ecosystems are bee hit hard by global warming.
“Everything Suffers from the Heat: The Corals, The Fish, The Plants,” Says Vrolijk. “Since I’ve lived here, The Weather Has Changed and Become More Irregular. Normally, The Rainy Season Starts in October, But Now It Varies NogTostly.”
But the Increasing Heat is also Palpable on the Island. Last week, Had to help a Woman Who had lost consciousness due to the heat. “It’s just too hot, 32 to 35 degrees every day. Tourists ask if this heat is normal. It isn’t.”
The Verdict in the Case is expected before the end of the year. How should it turn out in your opinion?
“We hope that the Judge Will rule in our favor. And that will be movement. We want the Dutch state to be aware of its responsibility. We are also part of the Netherlands. This will ultimately affect US all.”
According to Vrolijk, the plaintiffs are not only concerned with winning the case: “Bringing the problem to the Attention is just as important. Them what’s going on. “
Do you feel tasks seriously by the Netherlands?
“No. we have legs working on the climate case for three years and have leg at the table with the cabinet several times. They say to us:” We have started a climate table and have done research. ” That is not enough. “
“It seems as if the Netherlands is not aware of the situation and does not see us. Sometimes it feels as if we are second-class citizens.”
What should the government do in your opinion?
“Take us seriously and send experts: people who know the future scenarios and risks and know how to protect a country against the water, before everything is drowned.”
What are you going to say in court?
“We want Equal Treatment and Equal Opportunities to Survive. We need mitigation (Reducing Greenhouse Gases, ed.) But also a clear adaptation plan. Action must be tasks Faster.”
The Climate Case Will Be Heard on Tuesday and Wednesday at the Court in the Hague. The Verdict is expected at the end of this year. Should it turn out in favor of the state, cheerful Will Appeal. “We will not accept it.”