365 Sustainable Decisions Challenge

  🚲 Last Sunday was unforgettable and full of nature, connection, and discovery! I went on a day trip, which turned into a truly meaningful experience. ☀️ I cycled for about an hour to reach a nearby town, where I started a 16 km walk through beautiful nature. Birds singing, leaves rustling, the sun shining brightly… it was beautiful! 🌲 On the way back, I took a different cycling route just to see where it would lead me. I ended up exploring places I’d never been, even discovering hidden corners of my own city. ❤️ And then something extra special happened. My gut feeling suggested me to turn right, which caused me to pass by the home of a friend who’s been having a tough time lately. I decided to turn back and rang her bell. 💬 Luckily, she was at home and we spent a wonderful hour together. Her hug when I arrived was warm, but the one when I left was even warmer because our conversation had made her feel a lot better. 🌍 Six hours of fresh air, movement, kindness, and new ...

  📚 Exciting news! Volume 1 of my book series, "A Guide to a Healthier Planet" (or "Der Weg zu einem gesünderen Planeten" in German), has been downloaded over 29,000 times! 🎉 (Does that make it a bestseller? Either way, I'm thrilled!) 🌍 With more than 23,000 downloads in German and 6,000 in English, it's incredible to see the reach it's having. 💚 I'm thrilled by the positive impact it's making. This book isn't just about fascinating scientific insights; it's filled with actionable steps we can all take in our daily lives to make a difference. ✨ If you already have a copy, thank you for taking steps towards a healthier planet! If not yet: now's the perfect time to get one. Together, we can create meaningful change for our planet and #MakeScienceGreatAgain!

  🤱 I just finished proofreading a chapter for my upcoming book "A Guide to a Healthier Planet 3" and was shocked again: 3 out of 4 mothers are feeding their children microplastics! 👶 These invisible plastic particles sneak into our bodies through food, water, air, and even everyday product such as sea salt and beer. And yes, they reach our babies too. ⚠️ That is bad, really bad. 🧹 That’s why I’m committed to doing something about it. I for example organize two cleanup events in my city every week, and I inspire change through education and action. 🌍 Please give this post a ❤️ or a "support" if you also agree plastic pollution needs to stop and share in a comment on how you feel we can achieve this. Thank you for joining me! Source of this statistic: Enyoh, C. E., Devi, A., Kadono, H., Wang, Q., & Rabin, M. H. (2023). The Plastic Within: Microplastics Invading Human Organs and Bodily Fluids Systems. Environments, 10(11), 194.

💡 Many of us use AI every day, I do too. I think it's an incredible technology that makes my life easier in many ways. But here’s something we often forget: if AI isn’t secure, we can get into real trouble. 🤖 Whether you're an individual or a company, securing AI systems is no longer optional, it's essential. ✒️ I showed why this is essential in a recent course on the EU-AI Act. In my example, I hacked an AI-supported job application portal, to make sure I was invited to a job interview for a shop manager role, even though I’m completely unsuitable for that job. That’s one of the risks when AI systems are vulnerable to manipulation. 🔐 In this video, you can see how I achieved this (with English subtitles): https://youtu.be/g1wzhd1b9S0 And don’t worry, I won't start a role as shop manager as I'll continue working toward a more secure future for all. 😊

  I’ll admit it: every now and then, I Google my name to see what pops up. (You do it too, right? Be honest 😉 ) That is why a while ago, I noticed something unexpected: Google labels me as Internet Personality! ✨ At first, I had no idea what that means. But thanks to Google's AI, I now know: "An "internet personality" on Google generally refers to an individual who has gained significant recognition and fame through their online presence, often through social media or content creation." ✨ How cool is that?! 🌍 To me, this isn't about algorithms or labels. It shows that the work I put out into the world makes a difference and that sharing knowledge, stories, and ideas really can create ripples of impact. 📗 And I will keep going: I just handed in a new book proposal to Springer Nature!

💻 Speaking online, to me a blessing and a curse at the same time. ⏱️ Yes, it's wonderfully efficient with no travel and no lost time. But I'm honest: to me a lot gets lost when I'm not in the same room. That natural human connection, the little cues like a nod, a smile, and eye contact, are harder to read through a screen. 🤔 For example, when my students look at their notes on another screen, it easily feels like disinterest. But as Annabell Whitney wisely said in a recent presentation: “Never try to read someone else’s thoughts.” 💬 She is right, because a student who I thought was hardly paying attention wrote to me the following heart-warming feedback: "I would like to sincerely thank Erlijn for her inspiring and highly professional teaching! I truly enjoyed her course — the clarity of her explanations, her warm and respectful communication style, and the well-structured learning materials made the entire experience both effective and enjoyable." 😌 And ...

Today, I did an experiment. I wasn't sure whether it was a great idea or completely nuts. 🤔 So I tried it, and it turned out to be brilliant! ✨ I took two chairs and a sign to the heart of the city. The sign read, "Do you wish someone would just listen to you? Take a seat. (max. 10 minutes per person)" 🪑 For two hours, I sat there. Five people sat down and spoke to me, and many (I guess at least a hundred) smiled broadly after reading the sign. Also many shared their love for the idea verbally or with gestures. People started conversations among each other about it. One person told me it really made her think about her daily life. Another returned after walking past. One person hugged me after sharing her story for ten minutes. The gratitude was overwhelming. 💬 It's amazing how a small act of kindness can create such a profound impact. 🌱 I'm sure that I'll repeat the experiment someday. ✨

Working in cybersecurity and sustainability is deeply meaningful to me, but also often emotionally heavy due to constant exposure to crises. That’s why I recently did a course to support my mental health. And it helped me in more ways than I expected. One part of the course introduced me to meditation, something I never thought I’d truly connect with. But here’s the beautiful part: they showed a free app called Sattva that offers daily guided meditations and plants a tree when you complete 10 days in a row! 🌱 🧘‍♀️ So while I’m taking a few mindful minutes each day to care for my inner world, I’m also helping heal the outer world. How awesome! Mental health and a healthier planet go hand in hand. And the good news: there are small, powerful ways to recharge and give back at the same time. 💚

Not long ago, I was walking through the Swiss countryside with a lovely group of people when we met a woman who deeply impressed me. For several years now, she’s been walking through the carrot fields just before harvest – not to gather vegetables, but to rescue life. 🥕 ✨ She searches for butterfly eggs and caterpillars, gently takes them home, feeds them, cares for them for weeks – until they transform into stunning butterflies. And then? She releases them back into the wild, where they belong. 💫 That day, I had the honor of releasing one of those butterflies myself. It was a quiet, beautiful moment – a reminder of hope. 🌍 💚 It feels great to know that I'm not alone, one of the many people out there who dedicate themselves to protecting nature!

  🌍 I often feel the urge to do even more for a healthier planet. But like everyone of us, my time is limited to 24 hours a day. That’s why I’m so glad I can also support others who are creating real, tangible impact. One project I’m happy to have supported is this powerful initiative by Planet Wild and everwave to stop plastic pollution before it reaches the sea: Every single year, 570,000 tons of plastic enter the Mediterranean—the equivalent of 625 garbage trucks every day. Because the sea is almost enclosed, this plastic doesn’t escape. It entangles wildlife, breaks down into microplastics, and turns one of the most biodiverse seas into a plastic trap. But there’s hope. In Albania’s Kukës region, where the Black Drin and White Drin rivers merge, tons of plastic get trapped behind a dam. It’s a problem—but also a unique opportunity: intercepting the waste before it flows into the Mediterranean. Using a repurposed weed-harvesting boat, they’re collecting the plastic and are now...

🌟 A dream 7.5 years in the making just came true! 🌟 When my niece was still little, I created a board game for her—something fun, playful, and a bit of a brain teaser. A friend encouraged me to submit it to a publisher. I thought, “Why not?” and even brought it to a board game designers' convention. That’s where something amazing happened: Kosmos, one of Germany’s well-known board game publishers, showed interest! 🎲 Then the world paused. The pandemic delayed testing the game with kindergartners—but the wait was worth every minute. Because on May 15th, the game was officially published! To keep the surprise, I didn’t tell my nieces or their parents anything. And finally, after all these years, I got to hand them the finished game. Seeing her and her little sister's faces was magical! 💛 The game is called "Meine Freundin Conni – Kunterbunter Knobelspaß", which is all about logical thinking and spatial reasoning. Up to four kids aged 4+ can puzzle their way through ...

Do you want your Facebook profile be used to create a copy of you using AI? If you - just like me - don't want Facebook to use your posts, photos, comments and so on to train their AI, you need to submit the form "Object to Your Information Being Used for AI at Meta". Before May 26th, as after that, it is not possible to object anymore. Here is the direct link to the form which I just used used to opt out: https://www.facebook.com/help/contact/6359191084165019 And here is the link for Instagram: https://help.instagram.com/contact/233964459562201

This week, I swapped my keyboard for a paint roller and got hands-on helping friends renovate their house! It felt amazing to see real-world progress amidst my usual online activities. That's why I love litter-picking too: seeing instant impact right before my eyes is incredibly rewarding. What offline activities keep you feeling connected to positive change?  

  🔒 After my cybersecurity talks, I often hear the same thing: "I have antivirus software, so I’m safe." Not quite. Antivirus is important — like a lock on your front door. But just like locks don’t stop all attempts from thieves to get in, antivirus doesn’t stop all cyber threats. 💡 Hackers use many tactics that antivirus software can’t catch — such as guessing passwords or exploiting weak security settings. ✅ So yes, install antivirus software. But also: - Use strong, unique passwords - Store them safely (consider a password manager) - Never reuse passwords This will help you to stay safe! https://youtu.be/FEaZK0A0SW0

🚴‍♀️ Today, I'm talking you on my brief, beautiful cycle tour through a gorgeous Dutch landscape, the heathlands. >  https://youtu.be/vVM1eC-Y-04 💜 The Dutch heathland is one of Europe’s rarest landscapes, home to many different animal species. In late summer, the fields turn into a gorgeous sea of violet. But this beauty is fragile: heathlands are threatened by nitrogen pollution. Without action, we risk losing them. 🌱 You can help protect this landscape as well by: - Visiting local heaths responsibly, for example taking litter home - Supporting conservation efforts - Speaking up for policies that protect biodiversity. 💚 Every action matters — for nature, for ourselves, and for future generations.

  🚨 Cyber Security Tip of the Day 🚨 Recently in my Cyber Security course, we talked about making mobile devices safer. One message stood out so strongly that I found myself repeating it over and over: ✨ What doesn’t exist, can’t be attacked. ✨ Think about it — if you don’t own a car, it can’t be stolen. The same goes for your apps and online services. 👉 Every app you don’t use is a door that hackers could try to open. 👉 Every unnecessary service is a possibility that attackers could try to misuse. Take action today: 🧹 Review your mobile device and deactivate or delete all apps you don’t truly need. 🧹 Deactivate services such as Bluetooth, WiFi, AirDrop, hotspots, etc. when you don't use them. 💻 Every small step makes a big difference toward a safer, more sustainable digital life. https://youtu.be/Y1G6XXuubMU

In den letzten Wochen habe ich mir eine spannende Aufgabe gestellt: Ich werde bald zeigen wie die KI eines Bewerberportals gehackt werden und man sich davor schützen kann! Denn KI verändert nicht nur die Arbeitswelt – sie birgt auch neue Risiken für Unternehmens-Prozesse. Am 29.4. ist es so weit! Im Online-Seminar "KI-Excellence"! In diesem Seminar gehen wir auf die neue EU-KI-Verordnung ein, denn diese Verordnung trifft Unternehmen mit voller Wucht. Bußgelder und Reputationsverluste drohen, wenn Sie nicht nachweisen können, dass Ihr Team im Umgang mit KI-Systemen ausgebildet ist. 👍 Mit praxisnahen Tipps und Fallbeispielen, die Sie sofort im Unternehmen umsetzen können 👍 Erhalten Sie ein Teilnahmezertifikat – als Nachweis für Ihre KI-Compliance-Schulung. 📅 Datum: 29.04.2025, 9:30–16:00 Uhr 🎓 Mit Expert:innen: Dr. Erlijn van Genuchten, Dr. Marc Maisch, Roger Basler de Roca, Michele Fuhs, anerkannten ExpertInnen aus Recht, IT-Security und Business Consulting Präsentiert...

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of showing how AI can be hacked. A very important topic: with the EU's new AI law, companies that neglect their cybersecurity risk fines of up to 15 million euros or 3% of their global annual turnover. 🔐 Is your company already using artificial intelligence? Then now is the right time to think about security. A big thank you to Speakers Excellence for organizing such a great event, Jana Kulhavy for the excellent moderation, and to fellow speakers Dr. Marc Maisch and Roger Basler de Roca for their super important contributions!

  🔥 The ground in the Netherlands is in trouble. Here is why: 🇳🇱 Most people don’t see it—but the Netherlands has one of the highest nitrogen levels in Europe. The cause is a combination of intensive farming, heavy traffic, and industrial activity. These release nitrogen into the air, which returns to the ground through rain. 🌱 This causes sensitive ecosystems such as heathlands to suffer. Plants like heather get pushed out by fast-growing grasses. Wildlife disappears. And the risk of wildfires grows. 🌍 That is why The Netherlands is acting: 🔸 Reducing livestock numbers 🔸 Restoring nature reserves 🔸 Supporting more sustainable farming 🔸 Reducing maximum speed on motorways 💚 Nature thrives when we restore balance - and every step we take brings us closer. Video: https://youtu.be/QB1xvX7EwxU

Die Digitalisierung ist kein Trend – sie ist Realität. Deswegen freue ich mich, am 17. Oktober 2025 auf der #nxtDIGITAL & AI Stage zu stehen. Hier dreht sich alles um #KünstlicheIntelligenz, digitale Geschäftsmodelle und neue Technologien, die unsere Arbeitswelt verändern. Wenn du erfahren willst, wie du Digitalisierung nicht nur verstehst, sondern für auf sichere Art und Weise für dich nutzt – dann bist du hier genau richtig. Ich freu mich auf dich! Save the date: 📍 Kongresshalle Böblingen 📅 Freitag, 17.10.2025 🔗 www.speakers-excellence.de/veranstaltungen/nxtknowledge-stuttgart