The issue
Does a sugar tax hold the key to healthier eating in children?
The Dutch government plans to introduce a sugar tax by 2030. The aim? A healthier population. But is this really the promised silver bullet to make children leave that can of cola or chocolate bar on the shelf?
Should zoos make more room for native species?
A 'good' zoo today does not merely facilitate recreation, but also has an educational, research and conservation remit. A study in PLOS Biology published on 19 August, examining more than a hundred British and Irish zoos, shows that native species account for just 9 per cent of animal collections. Should that figure rise in order to better align with the modern pillars of zoo practice?
Does dive tourism protect coral reefs – or damage them?
Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but bubbles', goes the diving motto. But according to a study published in Conservation Letters on 25 May, divers leave traces more often than they realise. At the same time, dive tourism can encourage reef protection. Does dive tourism protect coral reefs – or damage them?
Reducing bird strikes at wind turbines
Wind turbines are essential for the energy transition, but unfortunately they do claim victims. Birds, among others, sometimes collide with them – for instance...
The consequences of reintroducing genetic sex testing at the Olympic Games
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has announced that only athletes who can demonstrate they are 'biologically female' through the previously abolished SRY test will...
Are the current bird flu measures enough?
In 2026, nearly half a million birds have already been culled on poultry farms due to bird flu. In January, antibodies were found in...
Artificial intelligence in the hospital
Artificial intelligence (AI) is making inroads into every aspect of daily life. It seems AI could be put to use in almost every part...
Giving shape to rights for nature
A global movement is under way to grant rights to nature in order to act more effectively against the decline of biodiversity. But is...
How can we best protect species from extinction?
The Netherlands is home to 47,000 eukaryotic species, yet it is also a 'champion of biodiversity loss' (Status Report on Dutch Biodiversity 2025). Is...
Can students still be persuaded to take on leadership roles?
Student societies are finding it increasingly difficult to recruit volunteers for committee roles. Is this cause for concern, or simply a sign of the times – and is there anything to be done about it?