Climate Meter
TPM student Dennis Botman creates awareness for climate change with the Climate Meter
TPM student Dennis Botman, together with three other social entrepreneurs, created an app to make climate change a topic of conversation in a light way. In addition to the app that carries the same name, they have also launched the first Climate Meter in the Netherlands with ThermoMate. This meter shows how the weather in the Netherlands compares to previous measurements in the past at a glance!
What do you want to achieve with ThermoMate and the app you have made?
With ThermoMate we want to combine the habit of talking about the weather with awareness of the changing climate. ThermoMate aims to visualise climate change in the most accessible way ever. We do this by adding the climate dimension to a subject that the Dutch are already discussing every day: the weather. You could even say that talking about the weather is almost a part of Dutch culture. However, this is not yet the case for talking about climate (change). That is not yet labeled as a light-hearted subject. With ThermoMate, we not only bring the weather forecast, but also place it in the context of the past at any time of the day. ThermoMate compares the current temperature at every location in the Netherlands with the normal temperature, based on data from the KNMI (the normal temperature has been determined from 1950 to 2020). So for example, we not only tell you that it will be 22 degrees today, but also that it is 4.3 degrees warmer than normal. The app and the Climate Meter show that 70% of the days of this year are warmer than normal, with an average temperature increase of 1.8 degrees.
For us as a team it is important that we do not point the finger and we certainly do not want to make people afraid about climate change. It has already been shown that such an approach does not work. We provide information to people from which they can draw their own conclusions. For example, if it is just as warm in the Netherlands for the seventh day in a row as it is normally in a Southern European city, it is up to the user of the app to draw a conclusion. A conclusion that, in my view, cannot be anything other than that something is happening to the climate. This can make you look at the weather forecast in a different way than before.
How did the idea come about to establish ThermoMate?
The idea actually arose from the amazement of one of the team members, who wondered why people should actually wait for the media to hear how the weather of today relates to the past. In the Netherlands, temperature records are front page news, but as soon as there is no record, no attention is paid to it. We believe that everyone should be able to see how the weather relates to the past at any time of the day. This resulted in ThermoMate and with it the first Climate Meter in the Netherlands.
Which TPM skills/courses come in handy when setting up/running a startup?
There is not one specific subject to pinpoint. This is perhaps also characteristic of the study ‘Technische Bestuurskunde’: its multidisciplinary character. That is why I dare to say that every subject is relevant to me.
How do you currently combine ThermoMate with your studies?
I am now in the third year of my studies. Because of the corona period my minor in Singapore was cancelled. That was quite disappointing. But because of the corona outbreak, I suddenly had a lot more time left next to my studies. I use this time to working on and expand ThermoMate. In addition, I am now following a minor in Leiden.
Can you tell us something about your role in the team? How do you contribute to the success of the company?
I am by far the youngest of the team, and also the only student. This makes me look at everything with a fresh perspective. My tasks are mainly in the commercial field and the installation of the Climate Meter. In addition, I was also fanatic in sifting through weather data night after night.
What are your future plans? Do you want to continue to combine your work for ThermoMate with your studies, only focus on the business or follow a master's degree?
ThermoMate is now something fun to do alongside my studies, of course the ambition goes beyond that. Ultimately, we at ThermoMate hope to be able to actually mean something for organisations. Like supporting companies with their communication on sustainability and achieving their climate goals. This could be the time when ThermoMate starts to grow rapidly and will therefore require even more time. I hope to have completed my Bachelor at that time. Entrepreneurship really appeals to me. So I do not rule out that I will focus on that after finishing my bachelor, but following a master's degree is also one of the options.
What are your do's and don'ts when setting up a business alongside your studies?
I always say, "The only place where success comes before work is in the dictionary”. By that I mean that you have to do a lot and hard work to achieve something. Of course you run the risk of failing, but you also learn from that. Nothing comes naturally, so it is a good idea not to throw in the towel at the first setback.
What are you proud of?
I particularly like that we have developed the first Climate Meter in the Netherlands and that we were able to build and launch the ThermoMate app. The reactions of people who use the app are fun and above all very positive! In addition, I am most proud of the great team we have at ThermoMate and the way we cooperate.
Be sure to download the free ThermoMate app!