Most people don’t have enough influence to make agriculture more sustainable, but they do have control over their own gardens or balconies. The only thing is that they need to be made aware of this. Cities and municipalities are devoting more and more attention to adding green to neighbourhoods, but small organisations are playing their part as well.

Take The Pollinators foundation, which handed out organic seeds across the country last month. Volunteers in cities and villages acted as ‘food banks for bees’, giving away organic seeds (in coronavirus-proof fashion). The seeds will produce millions of flowers filled with pollen and nectar. The goal of the initiative was to offer pollinators a more diverse diet, while at the same time raising awareness about the value of nature.

Organisations such as Rooftop Revolution and Dakdokters are transforming dull flat roofs into lush green oases. And we mustn’t forget the NK Tegelwippen competition. In its first edition in 2020, Rotterdam and Amsterdam vied for the sought-after title. This year, with 40 cities taking on the challenge, the competition will be fiercer. The city that replaces most tiles with greenery wins. 

All these initiatives aimed at making the Netherlands greener, with flowers, plants, trees, insect hotels, green roofs and living walls, are enhancing biodiversity. But at the same time, it would help to follow Lier’s example, with municipalities urging all Dutch people who have fully paved gardens to take the tiles out and come on with the green!