The Three Pillars of The Planet
How The Planet newsletter focuses on the intricate relationship between humanity and the Earth
I started writing The Planet newsletter more than three years ago but somehow never made an effort to write the "about" page, which is probably the starting point for most writers when embarking on their Substack journey.
Today, I took a moment to reflect on this publication's aims and main themes. Over the years, they haven't changed. It's still about this planet's beauty and environmental threats. The third theme connects these two themes: the governance challenges to preserve natural beauty and keep this a livable planet for all of us in a time of unprecedented threats like climate change.
This is what I -three and a half years too late- published on the "About"-page of The Planet newsletter; comments are welcome:
Welcome to The Planet newsletter, your guide to understanding our intricate relationship with our Earth. We are isolated in an unimaginably vast, dark, and cold universe where our Planet shines brightly. But its beauty and abundance come with responsibilities, and the challenge of sharing and preserving our world has never been more urgent.
This thought is the central theme for The Planet newsletter, where I invite you on a journey to:
Understand the Threats to Our Planet
Delve into critical issues like climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution, urgent realities that demand our attention.
Celebrate the Beauty of Our Planet
Writing about our Planet's challenges is only meaningful when we recognize the beauty at stake. Join me in appreciating the wonders of nature, from the serenity of hiking trails in the outdoors to the vibrant life in our cities and the art we create.
Explore the Importance of Good Governance
With nearly 8 billion people sharing this small Planet, responsible governance is crucial for preserving its resources and beauty. After two decades of climate advocacy, my greatest frustration lies in the gap between solutions and action. We know what needs to be done, but the challenge lies in compelling action from our leaders.
My newsletters weave together news, opinions, history, and personal experiences as I navigate the complexities of our world. I share my journey through the mess we've made, the beauty I've found, and my reflections on politics.
From walking the ancient pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela in Spain to tracing the Colorado River from its source to the Mexican border, my travels are rich with stories that reveal our Planet's challenges and splendor.
When I return to my island home in the Netherlands for some weeks or during prolonged stays in places like Ottawa, Canada, or Oslo, Norway, I shift from a global perspective to a local one, exploring how climate change directly impacts life here. Whether it's drought in the dunes or the beauty of the local wetlands, I capture these themes through a personal lens, just as I share the beauty I encounter.
Having traveled extensively—from my early days as a backpacker in the 1980s to a quarter-century as a diplomat and later as an international public speaker and writer of stories—I find myself returning to my roots. I've traded in my suits for a backpack, and my travel stories reflect the same themes of challenge and beauty, offering insights from a local perspective.
Today, nearly half a million followers engage with me on social media, and about 5,000 people have joined our community here on Substack. As Substack evolves into a vibrant social media platform, I'm excited to focus my efforts here, where I discover the most compelling stories and enjoy respectful interactions with readers.
By subscribing to The Planet newsletter, you join our community and gain access to exclusive content, the ability to comment, full access to the archives, and a welcoming space within this Planet family. Together, let's explore, celebrate, and advocate for the beauty and health of our shared home.
Join us today!
Before leaving this page, do you remember the three pillars I mentioned: beauty, threats, and governance?
When I pasted in the last three posts I wrote, I noticed they fit neatly with that order: Yesterday, I wrote about the beauty of Oslo (and that Norwegians are amongst the happiest and longest-living people in the world). The post before that was mainly about the threat of climate change (related to my experiences in Oslo and elsewhere). The post before that was about the third central theme: governance.
Just saying. :-)
You can read them here if you missed one of them.
Yesterday’s newsletter:
As the first subscriber to The Planet newsletter, I have never for a moment regretted my subscription. Every article I have read has been a worthy read. Some have been alarming with scary climate news and warnings that affect everyone on the planet. But we need to know it. Others are unabashed affection and praise for our magnificent planet. Some are fanciful vignettes that delight the reader with magic and folklore. Even others take the reader on journeys to places they may never have the pleasure of seeing in person. With each, extraordinary photography accompanies the eloquently written stories that take the reader to a level reminiscent of legendary writers.
If this isn’t enough, Alexander Verbeek is a journalist of unimpeachable ethics, trustworthy and honest to the max. You can believe what he tells you. He relates history with accuracy and intrigue, better than any history class, and often with bits of humor tossed in.
I often compare these writings with what was once found in respected periodicals like New York Times or Washington Post but now closer to The Guardian. I highly recommend a subscription to The Planet. It’s a bargain and you will thank yourself for subscribing. Happy reading.
It’s always very interesting and informative to read your articles, Alex! 👌
The themes of your newsletters are often very varied, depending on your inspiration, your personal subjects of reflection, but ultimately they all bring us back, by different paths, to the essential question of the sustainability of our planet, to that of safeguarding its beauty, where we can draw our strength, our balance to pursue our personal path, and and of course to the political and economic issues of protecting our wonderful natural environment!
Thank you 🙏 for your publications, your personal investments, your expertise and your deep convictions 💯👏
I am really happy to be one of your subscribers and to be able to read your articles regularly!🙋♀️