Climate change

Climate change is one of the biggest challenges of our time. Although a global problem, the causes and solutions of climate change are often local. Wageningen University & Research (WUR) explores the impacts on society and ecosystems, and develop evidence-based, integrated solutions and technology: the Wageningen Climate Solutions.

Working on climate solutions: the Wageningen Approach

Citizens, governments, companies and other stakeholders want to find solutions for the consequences of climate change. Either by coming up with ways to ‘deal with’ climate change (adaptation), or by developing innovative technologies to stop or reverse climate change (mitigation). Often it is a combination of both mitigation and adaptation which create the most durable climate solutions. A ‘one size fits all-solution’ is not our goal. We want to add our research power to already available knowledge. With Wageningen Climate Solutions WUR aims to co-create opportunities to improve the local quality of life. WUR is a world leading research organisation, which stems from our ability to successfully integrate both fundamental and applied research from different perspectives. This interdisciplinary way of tackling challenges is known as the ‘Wageningen Approach’.

Nature-Based Solutions

Nature-Based Solutions are the third way WUR differentiates itself from other parties which offer climate solutions. By making use of and working with – rather than against – long-term natural processes, we can devise sustainable and resilient solutions to climate change.

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Stories about research on climate change

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Impact stories

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More information in our climate dossiers:

Causes of climate change

Climate change is caused by an increase of greenhouse gasses. Greenhouse gasses do not only consist of CO2, but also of methane (CH4), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ozone (03), and water vapour. These gasses originate from different processes: CO2 is created during combustion (for example in a combustion engine) and methane is for example created during digestion (for example by livestock).

More information about the causes of climate change

Consequences of climate change

The most well-known effects of climate change is global warming. However, there are also other effects: animals in nature change their rhythm which could cause mismatches. Countries will have to deal with new diseases, for example vector borne diseases which are spread through insects which spread further north. New diseases could not only affect humans, but also food security as farmers will have to deal with new exotic diseases due to climate change.

More information about the consequences of climate change