Reinier van den Berg’s childhood dream came true: he became a weatherman at RTL, but after 35 years, it was time for something new

Decision to study in Wageningen

“I originally wanted to fully devote myself to meteorology, to follow in the footsteps of my oldest brother. He studied meteorology in Utrecht, but that programme seemed very theoretical to me at the time, especially in the subjects of maths and physics. So, I started to look at my options more broadly. An open day at what was then still the Wageningen Agricultural College won me over. It had to be Wageningen, partly due to its broad range of degree programmes that also caught my interest. I wavered between toxicology, molecular sciences, nutrition and environmental hygiene. I decided on the latter, specialising in air pollution.

Fellow students became friends for life

My student life started off well with a fantastic introduction week, during which I got to know my fellow students; some of them became friends for life. We still meet up at least once a year. In my first year, I lived in a student dorm in Achterberg. That meant a lot of cycling. I was a member of the Student Club SSR-W, so, apart from that, spent a lot of time ‘out on the town’. After that, I shared a student flat with friends on the Marijkeweg. A large and sociable flat in which our corridor to the bedrooms was almost completely blocked by the long dining table at mealtimes.

What I’d impart to current students is that your time as a student can be golden, but it does not happen by default. You need one another to achieve that. I’d therefore ideally advise students to live in student houses, and also to become a member of a student or sports association.

From studying to Meteo Consult

I supplemented my air pollution specialisation with the largest share of meteorology possible, so I feel like I graduated in meteorology, even though that was not yet possible in Wageningen. It is now, thankfully. My aforementioned older brother, who was still doing his PhD in Utrecht at the time, founded the first commercial weather agency in Europe together with three other people from the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI), called Meteo Consult. Even before graduating, I had already signed my employment contract and six days after receiving my degree certificate, I started as the first official employee, the ‘fifth man’, at this spanking new company in 1986. Located in Wageningen, in fact, on the Duivendaal grounds behind the great old building that was home to the Meteorology department!

Meteo Consult, which grew very quickly and also took on the well-known Dutch weatherman Gerrit Hiemstra after a few years, acquired more and more clients. At that time, the first commercial TV broadcaster in the Netherlands, RTL Veronique, needed presenters for its news and weather department. So, I was approached and without any media training at all, I was allowed to (and had to) appear on national television in November 1989 in the fantastic role of weather presenter. My childhood dream had literally come true.

Storm chasing

The crazy thing is that weather has been my hobby since childhood. And it has also been my job since 1986, right up to today (2024). I check the weather daily, even in my spare time and on holiday. But not on simple weather apps. Instead, I look for the meteorological source data. And that can be useful, as you can then plan your outdoor activities better on holiday, wherever you are in the world.

One of my hobbies is storm chasing. I have already organised five storm chases in the Midwest (US), together with friends and colleagues from Meteo Consult. One of these friends founded the company Extreme Nature Tours (ENT), of which I am a shareholder. At ENT, we offer enthusiasts the possibility to see nature at its most extreme or most beautiful by offering organised group trips to the most impressive natural phenomena. For example, to see the Northern Lights, a solar eclipse, volcanoes or icebergs. ENT also organises an annual, highly popular tornado trip. In small groups and with a Dutch-speaking tour guide, participants enjoy the adrenaline that rushes through them as the wind picks up briskly and large hailstones start falling from the sky. Should they turn back or keep driving...?

SpeakOut

Communication is crucial to create support and obtain insights on the enormous transition that we are all facing. That is why I want to further engage with this, with the help of national media and video. For example, I think it would be great and useful to make a weekly climate news broadcast. Such a programme should not only shed light on the worrying state of the climate, nature and biodiversity, but also focus the spotlight on all the solutions, innovations and promising start-ups that we can find all around us!

As an active national speaker at conferences and events (especially at gatherings that focus on the link between climate change, extreme weather and the necessary transition), I saw how important good speakers are to engage people in one of the biggest challenges of modernity. So, in 2016, I founded the sustainable speakers agency SpeakOut. We only work with speakers and moderators who are
experts in this field and who can express themselves clearly about the urgency
and opportunities regarding sustainability. Speakers who can inspire and
motivate others and who can make sustainability a cool and inspiring topic.
That includes quite a few Wageningers, by the way.

I am also a volunteer and ambassador for a handful of NGOs, such as the WWF and Tearfund. As a recognised speaker at fundraising events for these NGOs, I hope that more people will get involved and contribute.”

Gold Leaf

Reinier has also written several books. His latest book is titled Bladgoud (’Gold Leaf’), and revolves around the priceless value of trees. Earth is home to no less than 60,000 types of trees. In accessible terminology, his book details the history of trees, the value of trees for the climate, biodiversity, utility and the value for our (mental) health, as well as for their own merit. But the book also reflects on the future. On the protection of (old-growth) forests, sustainable planting and tree use, so that trees and humans can live in harmony with one another.

Proud Wageninger

“The motto ‘Once a Wageninger, always a Wageninger’ definitely applies to me. Indeed, since 2020, I have been living in Wageningen again. Admittedly outside the city, but still relatively close by. At conferences, I often meet many Wageningers, who always stand out due to their broad knowledge on different topics. And so I feel proud of my alma mater, which has grown from a former agricultural college to a leading university that now finds itself in several prestigious rankings!"