‘No one wants to read about climate research anymore’ WUR is set to stop all research on climate change and adaptation as of January 2025. Some 700 people will lose their jobs as a result, but the savings in staff costs will be more than enough to close the budget deficit for the 2025-26 academic year. Anyway, climate research ‘has been proven to be pointless’, said Executive Board member Bens Boekbos during the annual Santa Claus speech.
Boekbos stresses that this had been a difficult decision for the Board to take. ‘We’ve been losing sleep for a while worrying about it. It’s awful for all those people who will now be sitting at home jobless. But they can take comfort from the fact that they are contributing to the greater good, namely the survival of WUR. And that fits with the Christmas spirit.’
Wasted
After the most recent COP in Azerbaijan, it is clear all the billions WUR has spent on climate research in the course of its existence have been wasted. That was a major factor in the decision to scrap this research, emphasizes Boekbos. ‘The countries that are responsible for CO2 emissions have different priorities for their cash than keeping the planet liveable for their children. That is a shame but also understandable. Anyway, no one wants to do or read about this kind of research anymore because it is so depressing.’
In addition, this move will save WUR substantial amounts of money. Boekbos is not prepared to say how many millions are involved but he does admit: ‘it is a huge relief. We were worried sick about the whole money thing.’
In addition to the research, WUR will also be stopping all climate-related education. Students doing any of the six Master’s (such as Climate Studies and Environmental Sciences) or five Bachelor’s will be able to continue with another degree programme of their choice after the Christmas holidays.
No one wants to do this kind of research anymore because it is so depressing
Modules in Biology and Hydrology, for example, that deal with climate change have also been cancelled. This may lead to students getting behind with their studies, in which case they will have to pay the slow student fine. ‘Unfortunately, that money doesn’t go to WUR.’
