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TRANQUIL MUSIC

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VOICE-OVER:
Professor Guus Velders

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of the Dutch National Institute
for Public Health and the Environment,

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better known as RIVM, is on Time's list
of the 100 most influential people on Earth.

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Velders showed that hydrofluorocarbons
are major contributors to climate change.

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These compounds are used in refrigerators,
air conditioners and insulation materials.

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PROFESSOR VELDERS: I'm greatly
honoured to be put on the Time 100 list.

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I also see this as a recognition
for the importance of climate change.

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But much more needs to be done
to protect future generations

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from the adverse effects
of climate change.

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VOICE-OVER:
Based on this research,

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world leaders entered
into an agreement in 2016,

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with the aim of greatly reducing
the emissions of hydrofluorocarbons.

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This will limit global warming
by a maximum of 0.5°C by the year 2100.

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Velders
was already chosen

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as one of the most influential scientists
by Nature magazine in 2016.

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This year, RIVM Director General
André van der Zande

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awarded him the RIVM Jenner Medal
for his breakthrough scientific research.

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And Velders
has just been appointed

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Professor by Special Appointment
at Utrecht University.

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In the coming years, Guus Velders
will be working together with his colleagues

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to further strengthen the scientific basis
behind climate policy.

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He will ensure that the data
and computing infrastructure at RIVM

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is suitable for monitoring
the Paris climate agreement.

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To protect the climate,
all the countries of the United Nations

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reached an agreement
in 2015 in Paris.

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To meet the goals
of the agreement,

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national governments,
companies and cities have to take action.

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And RIVM wants to assist them by
giving information, tools and knowledge

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on how they can reach
their goals.

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VOICE-OVER: Velders is also carrying out
research into the impact of climate change

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and climate measures on air quality,
and vice versa.

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VELDERS: One of the important causes
of climate change

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is small particles
in the air.

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Those particles are also bad
for your health, through air pollution.

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We want to know which particles are bad
for your health and bad for climate change,

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and especially
which measures we can take

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to reduce the effects
of climate change and of air pollution.

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VOICE-OVER: RIVM is very proud
of the international recognition

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of Professor Velders'
exceptional achievements

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and of his contribution
to a more sustainable world.

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THE TRANQUIL MUSIC
FADES AWAY