Menu
Quickly jump to:
Storytelling science | Multilateral conferences | Research and writing | Shareholder activism | Workshops & training | Project highlights | Work with us
We’re Elise van Breda (she/her) and Joy (Dorant) van Breda (he/him) – the founders behind Somewhat Greener (more about us). Our projects lie at the heart of what drives us: using storytelling, science, and creativity to tackle some of the most urgent and complex challenges of our time. For us, each project is an opportunity to bridge the gap between science and society, bringing the research we love to read into the hands of those who can put it into practical use.
On this page, you’ll find a selection of our most impactful projects, covering a range of interconnected topics where we work at the intersection of science, policy, and grassroots action. Our work includes transforming overlooked topics into accessible explainers, advocating for systemic change at global environmental negotiations, providing research-backed advocacy, facilitating and developing interactive workshops, and engaging in direct action like shareholder activism. Our mission is not only to inform but to empower individuals, organisations, and communities to actively shape a more just and sustainable future. While this portfolio showcases some of our key initiatives, there’s always more we’re eager to explore – if only we had more hours in the day.
If you don’t see your project in the list below, it might just be the perfect opportunity to collaborate with us! We’re actively seeking new, exciting initiatives to get involved with – let’s make it happen together.
In 2020, we launched Somewhat Greener to create a space for connection, knowledge-sharing, and sparking action for a just world on a livable planet (read our about). From the start, we’ve been driven by a mission to bring nuance and science into spaces where complex issues are often oversimplified. We’ve challenged the status quo through creative storytelling and artivism, transforming overlooked topics into engaging, accessible explainers that inspire curiosity and action. Our work is rooted in science and systems thinking. We strive to break down silos, connecting seemingly isolated issues to paint a clearer picture of the interconnected challenges our world faces. By turning complex topics into thought-provoking stories, we aim to challenge assumptions, spark curiosity, and empower people to act.
Using storytelling as a tool for change, we’ve tackled questions like: What’s the real deal with palm oil – and is boycotting it helping or harming the planet? We’ve explored the future of food by asking: Can we feed 10 billion people while staying within Earth’s boundaries – and what will it take to get there? We’ve explained tipping points and feedback loops with posts like: What happens when we push beyond 1.5°C – are we prepared for runaway climate impacts? And we’ve explored Earth’s limits, asking: Where do we draw the line for a safe and liveable future – and how close are we to crossing planetary boundaries?
Every post we create is the result of careful research, paired with creative storytelling and activism aimed at sparking curiosity, inspiring solutions, and driving systemic change. Transparency about our sources is essential to us, as is the responsibility of cutting through the noise of a clickbait-driven world. By weaving intergenerational, intragenerational, and interspecies justice into our narratives, we highlight often-overlooked topics and bring vital nuance to urgent global issues. While our feed showcases many of the topics we’ve already explored, there’s a long list of issues we’re eager to explore – if only we had more time. Below is an example of one of our explainers – a snapshot of how we bring complex issues to life.
In the face of interconnected global crises – climate change, nature and biodiversity loss, pollution, and mounting socio-economic inequalities – multilateral environmental negotiations under the United Nations (UN) become more critical each year. These conferences are pivotal spaces where science meets policy, shaping decisions that impact the future of life on our planet. For us, they have been opportunities to translate complex scientific findings into actionable insights, amplify underrepresented voices, and advocate for transformative, systems-based solutions that address the root causes of these crises.
Over the past two years, we’ve taken our first steps into this sphere, participating as scientific advisors at two major UN conferences: COP28, the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and SB60, the Subsidiary Bodies to the UNFCCC that set the stage for COP29. These experiences have enabled us to bring evidence-based insights to the table, engage with diverse stakeholders, and contribute to high-level discussions on transformative solutions. They’ve also offered us a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities in aligning global policy with science-based, equitable approaches and strengthened our commitment to advancing initiatives prioritising planetary health and justice for all.
At COP28 and SB60, we worked to amplify the critical role of food systems in addressing the interlinked crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, and food insecurity. Grounded in a comprehensive literature review, we assessed not only the global food system’s impact on the Planetary Boundaries Framework but also identified key pathways to reduce this pressure and guide the food system back within safe operating limits. This research became the foundation of our advocacy efforts and positioned us as trusted scientific advisors. Partnering with the Plant Based Treaty (PBT), we co-developed strategies to position food system transformation at the heart of climate mitigation and adaptation efforts, advocating for a food system that is not only ecologically safe but also socially just.
Throughout these conferences, we engaged in bilateral meetings with country delegations, civil society organisations, and international partners, offering research-backed insights to support ambitious commitments on food system transformation. At COP28, we followed negotiations and discussions on agriculture and food systems, contributing to dialogues on the systemic risks of current practices and advocating for agroecology and sustainable food systems. Similarly, at SB60, we focused on advancing the Sharm el-Sheikh Joint Work (SSJW) on Agriculture, playing a role in the negotiations that led to a groundbreaking work plan for integrating food systems into climate action.
Beyond formal negotiations, we actively embraced advocacy through a range of channels – through contributions to food- and climate-related response statements, the position paper of YOUNGO (the official children and youth constituency of the UNFCCC), co-creating social media content, hosting interviews, and participating in workshops, panel discussions, and press conferences. These platforms allowed us to amplify the call for a safe and just transition and challenge perspectives where needed, ensuring that all voices – especially those underrepresented – were heard. Collaborating with PBT and other global allies, we used these opportunities to foster momentum for a food system transformation rooted in scientific evidence, equity, and justice-driven solutions.
Policymakers, lobbyists, campaigners, and activists often face challenges aligning their work with the latest scientific insights. Meanwhile, scientific experts frequently encounter barriers that limit their ability to engage directly in advocacy or policymaking. Whether due to time constraints, limited resources, or institutional hurdles, these gaps between science and society – and between research and practical action – can slow progress in addressing today’s interconnected social and environmental crises. Bridging these gaps is essential for driving transformative, systems-based solutions that address the root causes of these challenges. By translating the research we love into actionable insights, we aim to empower science-based, equitable approaches that support systemic change for a just world on a liveable planet.
From conducting literature reviews to facilitating discussions on the latest findings, we create tools and narratives that drive effective, systems-based solutions. Whether producing reports, fact sheets, policy frameworks, or campaign materials, our goal is to ensure that science reaches the hands of those who can put it into practical use. Through these efforts, we’ve seen the power of making complex scientific knowledge accessible and actionable. By working at the intersection of science, policy, and advocacy, we’ve helped shape strategies that lead to meaningful change, whether through supporting grassroots campaigns, contributing to policy discussions, or connecting research with action.
This section showcases projects demonstrating how, through research and writing, we transform complex scientific knowledge into actionable insights and shape the conversation around transformative, equitable, and systems-based solutions. If our approach resonates with you, we’d love to explore how we can collaborate. Whether you’re tackling an ecological or social challenge, seeking to align your strategy with the latest research, or in need of fresh perspectives, we’re always eager to support initiatives that advance a just and sustainable future.
At COP28, we were honoured to contribute to the global dialogue on food system transformation through our chapter A food system within Earth’s boundaries, written for the Plant Based Treaty’s Safe and Just report. Developed entirely from our independent research, this work was undertaken in a context where accessible resources like the Planetary Health Check report were not yet available. It explores the disproportionate role of the global food system in pushing humanity beyond critical planetary boundaries, demonstrating how food production has become the single largest threat to Earth’s stability and life-support systems – from freshwater availability and pollinator populations to rainfall generation and soil health.
For centuries, the food system has profoundly altered Earth’s biosphere, with agriculture driving habitat destruction, biodiversity loss, and ecosystem fragmentation. Paradoxically, while food production is the primary driver of these disruptions, it is also one of the first victims of the degradation it causes, undermining the critical ecosystem functions that sustain food production itself.
In our contribution, we highlighted the urgent need for transformation. We called for an immediate shift from animal-based to sustainable, plant-based food sources to restore ecosystems, reduce environmental pressures, and address the interconnected crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, and food insecurity. At COP28, the insights from our work served as a resource for campaigners and advocates to engage in meaningful discussions about systemic solutions. While our role in the report was limited to specific sections, we hope it serves as a valuable resource for those working to align food systems with planetary boundaries, inspiring collaborative, systemic solutions for a safe and just future.
Many of the world’s largest industries are responsible for driving greenhouse gas emissions, widespread environmental destruction, and gross human rights abuses. From deforestation to forced labour, their actions fuel systemic injustices that devastate ecosystems and communities alike. Increasingly, activists, shareholder advocates, and policymakers are seeking to disrupt the flow of money that enables these destructive practices, pushing for corporate accountability to address the climate emergency and beyond.
Friends of the Earth Netherlands (Milieudefensie) has taken up the fight for corporate accountability by leveraging shareholder activism to challenge some of the Netherlands’ largest polluting corporations. Annual general meetings (AGMs) offer a unique platform to confront corporate boards on their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices – from climate policies and emissions reductions to human rights due diligence. In 2024, we joined their efforts by training multiple groups of activist shareholders to attend the AGMs of major companies, including Ahold Delhaize, KLM, Unilever, and ING Bank.
Through 4-hour training sessions, participants learned how to craft sharp but approachable questions, navigate corporate rhetoric, and engage confidently under pressure. One session, co-hosted with actress Anniek Pheifer, garnered media attention in De Volkskrant and the Nederlands Dagblad, amplifying the campaign’s reach. Our work was also featured in the documentary Once You Care, where Joy van Breda trained actress Gaite Jansen en route to the Unilever AGM in London, showcasing the power of this strategic activism.
This direct engagement with corporate boards exposes the gap between their commitments and actions, holds them publicly accountable for their impacts, and creates pressure for systemic change. By volunteering our expertise, we’ve empowered individuals to stand up against environmental destruction and social injustices, ensuring their voices are heard at the highest levels.
Photographs by Joris van Gennip for the Dutch newspapers De Volkskrant and the Nederlands Dagblad covering one of our activist shareholder training sessions for Friends of the Earth Netherlands (Milieudefensie).
Photographs by Joris van Gennip for the Dutch newspapers De Volkskrant and the Nederlands Dagblad covering one of our activist shareholder training sessions for Friends of the Earth Netherlands (Milieudefensie).
Since the beginning of Somewhat Greener, we’ve explored tools and techniques that not only inform but also spark curiosity, foster collaboration, and inspire action on global challenges. Recognising the urgent need to address interconnected social and ecological challenges, we’ve embraced formats like literature discussions, presentations and workshops to build an international community of individuals empowered to take action and protect our shared home.
Our journey into workshop facilitation began at COP28, where we participated in a Climate Fresk session. This experience revealed the power of collaborative learning and how breaking down complex climate science into a clear, structured framework can make it accessible and actionable. Inspired by this, we began exploring other collaborative workshops on a wide range of environmental and sustainability topics.
What intrigued us most was how these sessions not only provided systemic insights and highlighted pathways for change, but also revealed the diverse perspectives, knowledge, and values among participants. For communicators like us, understanding what individuals know, feel, and value is invaluable. Some facilitators created safe spaces for learning and sharing, making these workshops truly transformative – and that is what ultimately motivated us to start facilitating workshops ourselves.
Using tools like the Climate Fresk and Planetary Boundaries Fresco, we’ve brought together diverse groups and guided them through collaborative exercises and discussions designed to inform, inspire, and empower. From public events to universities, corporate settings, and conferences, we’ve guided hundreds of participants toward a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of social and ecological issues – and empowered them to take meaningful action. These workshops not only inspire meaningful action and foster a shared commitment to protecting our planet, but they also teach us, challenge our perspectives, and deepen our own understanding of how to drive systemic change.
The Climate Fresk is an internationally recognised workshop designed to make climate science accessible and actionable. Guided by the latest findings from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), it breaks down the complexity of climate change into a framework that is easy to understand. Through interactive exercises, participants collaboratively explore the causes and consequences of climate change, gaining a deeper understanding of why 1.5°C of global warming is a physical limit – not just a political target.
While the workshop focuses primarily on carbon emissions and climate-related challenges, it leaves less room to explore the root causes, other critical environmental issues and interconnectedness of socio-ecological systems. However, it provides a science-backed foundation for action and effectively opens up discussions about climate anxiety, climate justice, emission reduction pathways, and effective climate action.
With over 2 million participants, translations in 60+ languages, and facilitators in 165+ countries, the Climate Fresk brings people together to drive change. For us, facilitation goes beyond informing others – it’s an opportunity to connect, foster systems thinking, and inspire meaningful action. We also contribute to the broader Climate Fresk community by training new facilitators and creating tools and materials to tailor workshops for specific audiences.
Inspired by the success of the Climate Fresk, the Planetary Boundaries Fresco was created to offer a comprehensive, system-wide perspective on our planet’s health. Drawing from the ground-breaking scientific Planetary Boundaries Framework, the workshop explores the nine planetary boundaries that define a safe operating space for humanity. It raises awareness of humanity’s impact on the planet and empowers participants to identify sustainable pathways and systemic solutions to prevent planetary overshoot and ensure that Earth remains stable, resilient, and capable of supporting life.
We discovered the workshop while searching for tools that take a more holistic approach to environmental sustainability, especially in relation to agri-food systems. In the summer of 2024, we became part of its expanding community, taking a leading role in refining and strengthening the workshop by aligning it with the latest scientific advancements and enhancing its pedagogical approach. The flexibility of the workshop to explore themes such as systems thinking, biosphere stewardship, and the interconnectedness of biodiversity, water, food, health, and climate change makes it a powerful tool for driving awareness and inspiring global action.
We’ve been actively involved in community-building and supporting the translation of the workshop into multiple languages. We also had the incredible opportunity to pilot an early version of the workshop at the renowned Stockholm Resilience Centre – one of the research institutes behind the framework itself! Facilitating this workshop allows us to engage with diverse groups, raising awareness of interconnected challenges like biodiversity loss, climate change, and pollution. It’s more than just a learning tool – it’s a catalyst for collective action, sparking meaningful conversations about the systemic changes needed to secure a safe and just future for all.
We’ve had the privilege of facilitating both the Climate Fresk and Planetary Boundaries Fresco in a wide variety of settings – online and in person, from secondary education to corporate sustainability programs, and from living room sessions to large-scale events. We’ve facilitated dozens of workshops reaching diverse audiences, including universities like Stockholm University and VU University of Amsterdam, and organisations like JDE Peet’s, TNO, Velux, ABN Amro Bank, European Space Agency and the Stockholm Resilience Centre, as well as at climate conferences and community events. Our workshops have sparked meaningful conversations across sectors, empowering participants to think critically about sustainability and collective action.
Beyond facilitating sessions, we are deeply committed to community building, training new facilitators, and developing resources and tools to make these workshops even more impactful and accessible. Volunteering our time to support these efforts is core to our mission of building an international community of individuals empowered to take action and protect our shared home.
Curious about how we tailor our workshops for organisations or communities? Explore our workshop highlights and dedicated workshop pages for more information, and see these workshops in action. We’d love to collaborate and help drive systemic change together.
Take a deeper dive into some of the moments that define our journey. Here, we’ve curated a collection of key updates — from project milestones to reflections on conferences and workshops we’ve facilitated. Originally shared on LinkedIn or Instagram, these highlights are now available in one place, enriched with additional context, visuals, and links to more of our work.
Join us in exploring the insights and learnings that have shaped our work and continue to inspire us. If you’d like to see more, you can always browse our full highlights archive for additional updates and stories.
