Thoughts and perspectives shared by Bas:

• If you had to explain what you do to a 10-year-old, what would you say?

I work on projects that try to make the world a little bit better for living things!

• What moment or experience led you to pursue a career in the circular economy or environmental field?

I think its not a moment specifically. It’s more a general response for me against seeing how many of the economic, political and social structures in today’s world are wasteful or exploitative of the environment and people and oriented towards the short term. With this thinking, at least in theory, a circular economy (with a social and environmental framework included) framework proposes an alternative way to structuring society focused more on what is better for people and the environment. That thought I find it interesting and I hope can make some impact.

• Many people feel climate anxiety and a sense of futility. What do you tell them?

A lot of climate narratives are fear based, and I believe they are designed to make you feel afraid and hopeless. I think one could adopt a more broader philosophical outlook on it: we are here on this planet, we are small as individuals, the planet’s climate is resilient and adaptive over millions of years and changes all the time, the question is how does it impact my life, how and do I want to adapt? And do I want to work on it? I think that is a reassuring starting point at least for me.

Note: Any products or organizations mentioned in these interviews are based solely on what our guests have written. Incommon has no sponsorship or affiliation with them.