100 questions to the climate helpdesk

After almost three months, the climate helpdesk has reached the milestone of 100 questions. In this helpdesk, scientists search for answers to all questions related to climate or climate change. Erik van Sebille is one of the satisfied initiators of the contribution.

“The good thing is that there are very different questions”, he explains. News and Co. “Some are very practical: How do I best install solar panels on my roof? And in my area of ​​expertise, someone wondered what the difference is between plastic soup and climate change.”

This answer turned out to be quite complicated. “They both have to do with fossil fuels. In the plastic soup you see it in the photos, on the beach and in the garden, but you can’t see the CO2. If we saw CO2 as a purple cloud, for example, we would be doing more. ? “

Experts

Van Sebille is an oceanographer and climate researcher at the University of Utrecht. He is not the only climatologist affiliated with the platform. More than 50 experts in different fields answer questions.

“Just like in science, we also work with peer reviews when we respond. One expert answers a question, then another examines that answer again to check if it is the right answer, ”explains Van Sebille.

Although there are now 100 questions, the climate helpdesk does not plan to stop for the moment. “We have an incredibly enthusiastic group of scientists who are happy to answer questions. I think we can make them work more.”

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