Our project aims to create an understanding of different viewpoints and experiences regarding a chosen issue: deforestation/ loss of green. We chose a global topic so that it was locally relatable for more people. We tried to look at this issue from different perspectives. We did this by doing our own research on deforestation in the Netherlands, which taught us a lot about the reasons and mentality behind the cause here. However, we also wanted to know other peoples’ experiences and opinions on the matter, so we decided to interview people in the city center of Rotterdam. We talked to people from different ages, backgrounds and ethnicities to try and gain a bigger overview. We approached people by showing them satellite images of an area in the Netherlands captured in 1948 and 2016, and from there on we asked them further questions. We gathered a variety of viewpoints which helped us understand where people were coming from. Even the people that turned us down were valuable reactions. We used the iceberg model to summarize all the reactions from the interview, helping us to better visualize the scope of the issue. On top of that we used a network map to document the different causes and stories we have gathered from around the world. We looked at the issue from a scientific view by gathering satellite images and information on deforestation. We also looked at it from a social point of view by asking people opinions on the streets and reading articles on discussions about the deforestation in the Netherlands. It is clear that there are more aspects involved in deforestation, many of which affect each other. This makes it hard to tackle such a huge global issue, but through our research we concluded that conversation is important. It is through conversation and sharing of experiences and ideas that we can create a sense of community. Through sharing we feel strengthened to tackle the issue. People are willing to adjust small things in their life to help a cause, but many don’t have time, money or other priorities. It is impossible to solve it all by ourselves and it takes too long to wait on authorities to make a change. Therefore, for our idea we wanted to create a platform wherein we stimulate conversation, share stories, spread awareness and innovate small solutions on a (hopefully) global scale.

Personal Statement