Interview_Colombia.jpg

Tropical ecologist & environmental journalist

I study and write about environmental change. As an ecologist, I am interested in the conservation of carbon-dense ecosystems, such as rainforests and peatlands. As an investigative journalist, I cover carbon markets, corporate emissions targets, deforestation, and nature conservation.

I have written for Mongabay, Follow the Money, De Correspondent, Dark Mountain, and National Geographic Traveller, among others. My work has been published in Dutch, English and Spanish and has been supported by the Dutch Postal Code Lottery Fund and the Dutch Fund for In-Depth Journalism. I have also collaborated with the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) and the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ).

My investigation into the sale of vastly overestimated carbon offsets by influential climate consultancy South Pole was nominated for De Tegel 2023, the annual Dutch journalism award.

In 2017, I hitchhiked along the newly-constructed Interoceanic Highway, which connects the Pacific coast of Peru with the Amazon rainforest in Brazil. Along the way, I reported on various threats to the rainforest, such as gas extraction and illegal gold mining.

Previously, in 2013, I hitchhiked from the Netherlands to China, writing short travel stories along the way.

My science and journalism work has been featured on Al Jazeera, National Geographic, Bloomberg, the New Yorker, France 2, El País, ARTE, NOS, NRC, De Morgen, Radio 2 and BNR News Radio, among others.