He has a background in Environmental Sciences (MSc Wageningen University, 1996) and Atmospheric Chemistry (PhD York University, Canada, 2004). He spent several years doing postdoctoral research in Switzerland, studying the interactions between aerosols, clouds and climate. At the Energy research Centre of the Netherlands (ECN) he has worked for several years on projects related to air quality, climate change and sustainability. While on a temporary assignment at the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency (PBL), he conducted a large and detailed survey about climate science amongst International scientists. He has a keen interest in science communication and science literacy and is an avid blogger on climate change, often reflecting on the interface between science and society.