Frank Karelse is the new climate mayor

Frank Karelse lives with his wife, Greet, in Heurne, Dinxpers. Together, they are working to renovate their old farmhouse in a sustainable way and to landscape the surrounding land naturally, with a focus on plants and animals. They do as much of the work as possible themselves and like to use secondhand building materials for the house and, for example, seeds they receive from others. 

Frank is also committed to sustainability in his work. As the Energy Program Director at Arnhem and Nijmegen University of Applied Sciences (HAN), he is involved in activities related to sustainable energy and mobility, ranging from education and research to operational management.

Involved from an early age

His interest in climate and sustainability began at an early age. “I was raised with this interest from the very start. My parents were already very active in these issues back in 1971, when the Club of Rome report had just been published.” That commitment has always remained, though over the years he’s discovered that living sustainably doesn’t mean you have to do everything perfectly. “An important lesson I’ve learned is that I shouldn’t push myself beyond my own limits. I don’t have to live like a minimalist to still do my part.”

Inspiring Each Other and Getting Moving

As climate mayor, Frank’s main goal is to bring residents together and inspire them. He’s noticed that climate change is a topic of Health for many people, but that it’s not always easy to talk about. That’s precisely why he wants to create a space to share experiences, ideas, and solutions. “We really don’t all have to become quinoa-munching, oat milk-sipping, tiny-house-dwelling hipsters—with all due respect,” he says with a wink. 

"It is possible to combat climate change in a less extreme way. But doing nothing is not an option either." According to Frank, the power lies precisely in all the small steps that people take together. "A drop in the bucket doesn't help, but 10,000 drops do."

Meet and share ideas

As a climate mayor, Frank wants to contribute to positive energy and change. He does this, among other things, by getting involved in local sustainability activities and initiatives in the municipality. He’s also happy to open his own home to anyone interested. On November 7, he’ll be participating in the Sustainable Homes Tour. Visitors will then be able to take a look inside his traditional T-shaped farmhouse, which is currently being renovated to make it more sustainable.