Professors on greening Rotterdam port: “Important for generations to come”

“A battle for a green future is raging in the grey port of Rotterdam,” the Volkskrant headlined on 24 May. In the report, economist Karen Maas, scientific director of the Impact Centre Erasmus, leaves no doubt about her position in that battle: the old port economy needs a shake-up. That some fossil companies will have to close their doors as a result is inevitable, according to Maas. “Everyone shouts that sustainability is necessary, but as soon as it hurts, we revert to old thinking.”

City historian Paul van de Laar, professor at the Erasmus School of History, Culture & Communication (ESHCC), also sees this. 'Old thinking' stands in the way of the port's transition, he says in A canoe to the sea, a documentary in collaboration with the Resilient Delta initiative. Stalled port industries are kept afloat with government support. Whereas: ''Big oil companies themselves have invested more money in lobbying to stop legislation than in transition. That gives food for thought.''

Maas and Van de Laar both call on the government to stop perpetuating the old industry and instead invest in a sustainable future. Van de Laar emphasises that the government has a great responsibility in this. “We are talking about a fundamental transition here, which is important for generations to come.”

The Volkskrant report on the future of the port of Rotterdam can be read over here. The documentary “A canoe to the sea” is playing in film houses across the Netherlands. See a list of screenings here.