National Heat Plan active The National Heat Plan became active in the Netherlands on June 19th. This means that it is necessary to take preventive health measures for vulnerable groups.
Moderate flu season Last winter season, the duration and severity of the influenza epidemic was moderate compared to previous years.
Livestock farming affects pulmonary function in local residents COPD patients living near livestock farms suffer more complications.
Less air pollution from traffic and industry but increased contribution from agriculture International air policy has shown good results in Europe: in the past 35 years the air has become cleaner. Nevertheless air pollution is still an important cause of premature death.
Need for circular use of materials in construction Construction and demolition waste are being recycled on a large scale to use as a foundation for e.g. roads, but recycled building materials are hardly ever used in the construction of buildings.
More people infected with diseases transmitted by wild rodents In 2014, there were more patients in the Netherlands with diseases transmitted by wild rodents than in previous years.
Flu season in the winter of 2014 / 2015 more severe and longer than preceding years The flu epidemic in the winter of 2014 / 2015 lasted 21 weeks and as such was the longest epidemic ever recorded in the Netherlands. Nearly two million people suffered from flu-like symptoms.
National Heat Plan active The National Heat Plan became active in the Netherlands on June 30th. This means that it is necessary to take preventive health measures for vulnerable groups.
Icy air measurements Bernice Notenboom’s Arctic March expedition team has reached the summit of Greenland. She has conquered the 3500-metre high summit on Greenland with functioning air measuring equipment.
Climate reporter Bernice Notenboom arrives in Greenland for continuation of climate expedition Climate reporter and expedition leader Bernice Notenboom and her team left for Greenland on 4 May 2015 for the second part of the Arctic March.