Column by Evert Jan Slootweg: It's best to be prepared
Together with you, as residents, we want to make the municipality greener and less paved. Together with you, we can better prepare for periods that are too wet, too dry, or too hot.
Our municipality is experiencing more frequent and much wetter weather. But also more frequent and much drier weather. Finally, we will have to deal with periods of prolonged and extreme heat. In January 2025, the municipal council adopted our new Climate Plan. It sets out measures that we will implement over the next five years.
By taking these measures, we can better protect ourselves against extreme weather conditions. We have already taken important steps in this direction in recent years. Think of removing stones and restoring greenery together. A measure that reduces the strain on our sewer system when there is too much precipitation. But we want to take more measures.
Together with the water board, we are creating climate buffers for periods of drought. These are basins in which we store water. During a prolonged period of drought, we can drain the basins. Farmers in particular use this extra water for their crops. We hope this will prevent water rationing.
To combat prolonged periods of extreme heat, we are planting more greenery. The (additional) trees create more shade. They also cause water to evaporate, which cools the air. A green environment heats up much less quickly than a paved environment. As a result, the air temperature rises less quickly on hot days and the nights are cooler. That's why I'm so happy with the paving initiative for our residents.
Finally, we are taking measures for periods of heavy rainfall. Our villages are very paved and there is a relatively large difference in elevation. This causes rainwater to drain quickly via sidewalks and roads. That is why we are going to dig extra ditches and disconnect from the sewer system more often. We are also planting more greenery and trees for this purpose. This will keep our feet dry.
We make plans together with the water board and the province. But we would also like to do this with you, as a resident. We need you to help make the municipality greener and less paved. Together with you, we can better prepare for periods that are too wet, too dry, or too hot.
Evert Jan Slootweg
alderman