Climate change sceptics claim that global warming and climate change are urban legends. Scientific evidence, however, indicates that the rise in the average temperature of the Earth and its related effects are unambiguous. While the agony that humans will experience in the light of these changes is commonly known, the implications on other animals are often downplayed. In the Netherlands, a sibling pair is playing their part to revert this situation. By means of their own foundation, they travel the world advocating for animals. Until now, their efforts did not go unnoticed. Several awards have been bestowed on them, including recognition from the Dutch parliament and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands. Their interlocutors include people like dr. Jane Goodall, UN Messenger of Peace. This is the story of Tim and Ivi Huijsmans.
Tim and Ivi Huijsmans, two young Dutch do-gooders who are utterly committed to the well-being of animals on planet Earth.
“Thanks to our parents we have been in close contact with nature from an early age. We have covered many kilometres doing mountain-oriented activities and were always surrounded by animals”, says Ivi (16). Her older brother, Tim (17) adds that while on a more than 2000 km long hiking tour with their family through Europe (at 8 and 10 years of age), they became fully conscious of the fragility of nature. “It’s heartbreaking to see motorways running through forests and all related pollution”, he explains.
During a holiday in Austria only a year later, the news of Royal Dutch Shell’s intentions to start drilling the North Pole in pursuit of oil reached them. “This is one of the most pristine places on earth”, Ivi emphasises, “and it’s a difficult-to-access area in the event of an oil leak”. Based on this occurrence their decision was final: they had to set up their own organisation to stand up for the planet. Not too long after, ‘Red de Aarde’ (Dutch for Save the Earth) was a fact.
In the last 4 years, the non-profit organisation has made its name both locally as internationally through activities, actions and training. Says Ivi: “It has been a process that develops and evolves – we have gradually come into contact with individuals and organisations on a global scale that share the same ideas and values”.
“Children should be exposed to nature at an early age – only then can they learn to live in harmony with wildlife”.
12.500 signatures
Since Tim is a fervent beekeeper, one of the sibling’s first projects covered these flying insects. “People fear bees because of the association with stinging. As a general rule, bees only sting when feeling threatened. I’m fascinated by their ingenious ability to cooperate. I would venture to say that they are highly intelligent”, he assures.
With the help of a group of volunteers, and in close consultation with several of the country’s mayors and aldermen, the foundation called a bee conservation project in the Netherlands into being. So far they have built more than 66 bee hotels throughout the nation.
“We have also been busy with the living circumstances of chickens”, adds Ivi. “Millions of chickens live in deplorable situations in the Netherlands. These animals are often defined as stupid, but we have kept chickens for years and they do respond to several actions. Chickens surely possess the capacity to feel pain and suffering”. In an attempt to lobby for the well-being of these fowls, the sibling pair collected over 12.500 signatures which were presented to the Dutch State Secretary for Infrastructure and the Environment.
Ghana
After some rewarding projects in their home country, Tim and Ivi seemed to have found their true call. Nevertheless, their next step was to go international... “It has been our dream to live in Africa since we were 8”, Ivi explains. In order to appeal to a broader public, the siblings adjusted the name of their foundation to Faunawatch and set a 1,5-year process in motion to introduce their beekeeping project in Ghana. Says Tim: “Due to the many pesticides used, bees are threatened with extinction on the African continent. Some months previous to our departure, we were named do-gooders of the year by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. With the respective cash prize and a subsidy granted to us by the same ministry, we were able to buy hives, protective clothing and other material and plan a 4-week working trip to Ghana”. Assisted by local professionals, Tim and Ivi visited 3 different schools and trained 66 pupils and 25 instructors as a beekeeper.
“In the meantime, we have also incited the necessary to go to Cameroon”, his sister says. “Besides introducing our beekeeping project over there too, we also aim to protect the Cross River gorilla in this country. This is actually the most endangered primate in the world – there are probably between 200 and 300 left in the wild...”.
“In order to survive, our planet is in desperate need of cooperating daredevils...”.
Before the flood
Having said all of this, the burning question is: what could possibly still be in store for these two remarkable youngsters? First and foremost: studying. As of next year, Tim plans to start a degree programme in veterinary medicine, whereas his sister will intend to initiate her studies in educational sciences the year after. Eventually, they would like to settle in Africa.
“Someday I would like to implement several projects throughout Africa”, says Tim, “It’s a dream to follow in the footsteps of my example, Jane Goodall, and set up a shelter for elephants and chimpanzees”.
His sister wishes to open a school for underprivileged children where the local flora and fauna will be the guiding thread. “Children should be exposed to nature at an early age – only then can they learn to live in harmony with wildlife”.
Indeed, they are both in agreement about one thing: things cannot go on like this. “A while ago I was invited to attend the premier of the documentary film ‘Before the flood’. In addition to Leonardo DiCaprio’s blue eyes, I was struck by certain images and facts. Those with the big bucks and those that want to curb climate change are far apart”, Ivi utters.
Her brother fully agrees. As an example, he highlights his dialogues with Paul Watson, co-founder of Greenpeace. “The man’s rigid approach towards whaling ships, to mention a point, has given him many supporters and opponents. Yet, one thing is clear: in order to survive, our planet is in desperate need of cooperating daredevils...”.