Vatan Hüzeir, chairperson (as of September 1, 2020)

“I joined Fossielvrij NL in 2013 and am thrilled to now give back to the movement.”

Before becoming a climate activist over a decade ago, Vatan engaged with issues such as self-determination, anti-racism, human rights and the environment. He has coordinated and organised campaigns with various organisations, publishes and speaks about climate change. Vatan, a sociologist, is a PhD-candidate at the Erasmus University. He researches systemic critiques amongst international grass-roots climate activist groups. He lives in Rotterdam, enjoys music, poetry and yoga.

Layla Sawyer, secretary

“Climate change is the defining challenge of our generation, and our ability to avoid a climate catastrophe will seal the fate of many generations to come.”

Layla is based in Brussels, working on integrating more renewable energy into the electricity system by influencing EU policy. She believes that we need to make our energy system more flexible, by shifting our electricity consumption to moments when there is a lot of renewable energy available. This will speed up the energy transition and make our current infrastructure as efficient as possible. Previously, she worked on various projects at Urgenda, Cordaid, Giro555. She is especially proud of co-organising the Climate Miles, a 600km+ march from Utrecht to Paris before COP21, supporting the Urgenda lawsuit, and helping set up the Grootouders voor het Klimaat.

Joost Hartog, treasurer

“I believe in the power of diversity of actions and am a strong advocate for open movements that reach out to as many people as possible.”

Joost has a 40 years long history as an activist and campaigner in NGOs, as well as grass-roots organisations. Starting in the new social movements of the late seventies, he worked on the anti-apartheid struggle, for anti-racist organisations, but also for nature conservation and environmental causes. Joost lives and works in Amsterdam with partner and four grown-up children, and is an enthusiastic cyclist and climber.

Zohra Moosa, general board member

“I appreciate Fossielvrij’s intentional and bold agenda and look forward to contributing to our collective efforts” 

Zohra is a feminist activist with experience organising with anti-racist, anti-capitalist and queer movements. She currently works with Mama Cash in Amsterdam, focusing on mobilising resources for and channelling them to feminist groups and movements around the world. This work includes a major programme focusing on environmental justice.

Olivia Langhoff, general board member

“Fossielvrij has inspired me since its beginning. I am grateful that I am able to serve the movement in this capacity”

Olivia has started her activist life while in primary school as an ethical vegetarian and organising letter-writing campaigns petition for the release of political prisoners. She grew up in the North of Germany, and later worked and lived in South Africa, UK, and Switzerland before settling in the Netherlands. She has been very fortunate to be able to work full-time on issues so close to her heart and campaigning for human rights, environmental protection and climate change for over two decades. Olivia joined 350.org 5 years ago and works now as acting Managing Director. Today she lives with her partner and dog in Empe, enjoys gardening and going for long hikes.