ROTTERDAM, 12 July 2024 – A special rowing expedition by GROHE Team Ocean has arrived in Rotterdam, drawing attention to water scarcity. The team embarked on their journey from Basel on 2 July, highlighting the urgent need for behavioural change.
GROHE Team Ocean's rowing expedition highlights water scarcity
GROHE Team Ocean reached Rotterdam on Thursday, 11 July 2024, after a rowing expedition aimed at raising awareness about water scarcity. The team, consisting of adventurers Wilco van Rooijen, Bela Evers, Sara Eenhoorn, and Joost Schutte, departed from Basel on 2 July and arrived at the Global Center on Adaptation at 14:00 as scheduled. A special celebration marked the arrival.
The team's arrival at the Global Center on Adaptation was no coincidence. The GCA is an international organisation headquartered in Rotterdam, housed in the world’s largest floating office. The GCA focuses on accelerating climate adaptation by partnering with public and private sectors, providing expertise and advice on climate resilience, and supporting the most vulnerable regions. Their initiatives include high-level policy development, research, advocacy, and the implementation of innovative solutions to address climate challenges.
The Global Center on Adapation, in Rotterdam, is housed in the world’s largest floating office
Raising awareness through expeditions
The team undertakes challenging rowing expeditions to increase awareness about water issues. This recent expedition serves as a significant action to draw attention to the growing problem of water scarcity and the importance of behavioural change.
The Rhine expedition
The Rhine expedition covered nearly 850 km, starting from the Swiss mountains, passing through the Rhône, and finally reaching the North Sea. Swiss glaciers, a crucial water source, are expected to nearly disappear by 2040. During the expedition, the team challenged themselves to live on a maximum of 6 litres of water per day, in stark contrast to the average Dutch daily consumption of 129 litres per person.
“Recently, we have seen increasing reports of water shortages in the Netherlands, and this problem is only growing. With our current technology and infrastructure, we cannot solve this issue. What we can do is change our behaviour, as individuals and companies. We have alternatives for electricity, but not for water. Can you imagine that? By positively highlighting our water shortage, we aim to put 'water' in the spotlight because without water, there is no life,” said Wilco van Rooijen of GROHE Team Ocean.
GROHE Team Ocean's team captain shows off the boat. The team will use this same boat to cross the Pacific Ocean.
Preparing for a greater challenge
This expedition served as preparation for a more significant challenge: in 2025, GROHE Team Ocean plans to cross the Pacific Ocean non-stop from California to Hawaii, a distance of 4500 km. Upon reaching Hawaii, they also intend to climb one of the highest mountains there.
To spread their message, the rowing team encourages others to take similar actions. Using the hashtag #Aquawareness, people can share their water-saving experiences on social media, contributing to the awareness campaign.
Rotterdam's significance in water scarcity awareness
Rotterdam is a key location in the context of water scarcity awareness due to its innovative approaches to climate adaptation. The city is known for its advanced water management systems, including the construction of the world's largest floating office and other flood-resistant infrastructures. These efforts are crucial in a low-lying country like the Netherlands, which is highly susceptible to flooding and rising sea levels. The city's proactive stance and pioneering projects make it a model for global climate adaptation strategies.
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