BlueO2 (The Netherlands)
More than 200 million people worldwide live along coastlines less than five metres above sea level. By the end of the 21st century, this figure could increase to 400-500 million. Climate change will have disproportionate effects on communities that live close to the sea, affecting their ability to meet basic needs like water, food, and physical safety. At the same time, coastal areas will have an increasing role to play in transport, food production and energy.
BlueO2 believes that creating resilient coastal communities is vital to ensure a thriving blue planet. They see climate adaptation as a significant opportunity to evolve our relationship with our environment.
By implementing nature-based designs, permaculture, and rewilding in urban areas, BlueO2 enables people and biodiversity to thrive. They create living examples of mutually beneficial relationships between coastal communities and their surroundings.
Fundamentally, BlueO2 believes humans care about having a positive impact on their environment, so they work with local leaders who feel compelled to create a better future for their communities.
In 2021/2022, the Eurofins Foundation supported “The Future Garden” project, a living laboratory that aims to investigate what a resilient future could look like. Combining earth care, people care, and future care, BlueO2 is co-creating a regenerative design with the community of Transvaal, The Hague.
This project aims to achieve cooling, improved water management, enhanced rainwater infiltration and increased biodiversity. Through this initiative, BlueO2 is also working to develop opportunities for education, social cohesion and connection.
The project created a place where children and their parents could interact with nature and water in their neighbourhood, strengthening their understanding of the importance of biodiversity. In addition, local government showed interest in this project, which could lead to the creation of similar additional projects in the future.
This project contributes to the following United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals
