About

What can floods teach us about surviving the climate crisis? More than you might think.

Seeing the impact of rising sea levels firsthand in Vietnam lit a fire in me. I knew I had to support communities in adapting to this new reality—and share the powerful lessons from those already on the frontlines.

I’m Joep Janssen, and on this blog, I share insights from my work at the Watersnoodmuseum (Flood Museum) in the Netherlands, reflections on global water challenges, and personal stories from my travels. My mission? To make complex climate issues relatable—and inspire meaningful action.

For 10 years, I led Nextblue, a platform amplifying the voices of vulnerable coastal communities facing climate change. Now, at the Watersnoodmuseum, I connect the lessons of the 1953 North Sea Flood to today’s challenges, from the Netherlands to islands like Bonaire and Tuvalu, where rising sea levels pose an urgent threat.

This blog offers you a unique perspective on water resilience, drawing on my experiences working with communities around the world. It’s a space to highlight solutions and amplify stories from journalists and communities I’ve met along the way. By curating these voices, I aim to bring fresh perspectives to water resilience and climate adaptation.

From living in Vietnam and writing Living with the Mekong to traveling through Bangladesh, I’ve seen firsthand how communities innovate to survive. These stories fuel my passion for blending history, lived experiences, and new ideas to build a more resilient future.

Here, you’ll find stories of resilience, innovative solutions, and insights into how history shapes our climate reality. I hope these stories inspire action in your community, whether through supporting local initiatives, advocating for policy change, or simply spreading awareness.

Subscribe to my newsletter for the latest stories and insights. You can also connect with me on LinkedIn and Bluesky. Have thoughts or questions? If you’re signed in, feel free to send me a message—I’d love to hear from you!