Earlier this month, the University and the SU collaborated to organise Green Week, a week-long program of events and activities geared toward sustainability and the climate. From career advice to a student-led sustainability tour of Bath, this jam-packed week had something for everyone!
The week began with a great start as we launched our Climate Action Photography competition. You can still participate in the competition as the closing date is Monday 15 April.
We also held a Climate Literacy taster session that was open to everyone and focused on empowering individuals to take climate action. If you want to attend our next session, please visit the Climate Literacy webpage. By attending the full training, you will have the opportunity to gain certification.
The SU hosted their quarterly Share & Repair Café, a popular event among students. Nowadays, overconsumption has become the norm, but taking good care of your belongings and fixing the things you love instead of disposing of them is crucial for the future of our planet (and your wallet!). The Share & Repair team can mend most things, from clothes to electricals. Don’t worry if you missed the last repair café. You can visit Share & Repair on George Street, and don’t miss their fantastic Bath Library of Things where you can borrow an enormous array of tools, equipment and supplies. Remember to borrow, don’t buy!
As a university student, it's common to ponder post-graduation plans. In the spirit of Green Week, the careers team held a webinar called 'Careers with Positive Impact', where several guest speakers shared their insights and experiences. It was fascinating to learn about the diverse range of career paths available to us. Be sure to visit the Careers webpage to sign up for future events and webinars!
Several student groups took the initiative and put together various events and activities. For example, Bath University Model UN organised a discussion on how to combat climate change through development aid and technology. In addition, an informative talk was given by the Climate Action Team on how students can take climate action, and this was hosted by Bath University Left Union. Check out the staff and student action webpages to learn how you can positively impact our community.
Staff members also participated in Green Week. Before a day of working, staff groups ran, cycled, or walked to campus. Those who battled the steep hill were eligible for a free staff active travel breakfast!
One member of staff, Robert White, used to cycle daily but hadn’t done so since the pandemic. However, he took this event as an opportunity to return to this habit. I asked him what inspired him to cycle that day, and he responded, “One word. Guilt!”
Regardless of where you are on your journey, committing to start again takes just one day. From walking enthusiasts to cycling novices, we had a wide range of individuals participate, which was encouraging.
Wednesday was the day for all things cycling!
- We had Dr Bike, where anyone could leave their bike to get repaired and checked. Didn’t get a chance to do this? You can visit them in town to get your bike serviced.
- Take Charge Bikes came along; staff and post grads can loan an e-bike for two weeks from them for free.
- Staff members could explore bike and e-bike options through the salary sacrifice scheme.
- The police were providing bike security marking free of charge.
- Tier was there ready to answer any questions about their scooters or e-bikes you see dotted around campus and in the City. If you download the app you get 35% off as a staff or student here at UoB!
Joshua, who studies Mechanical Engineering, shares his thoughts on why he cycles to campus every day: “…the convenience; you don’t have to wait for buses, and it's cheap as you don’t have to buy a bus ticket.”
Since the summer months are quickly approaching, why not give cycling or walking to campus a go; visit our active travel page to learn more about the benefits of low-carbon transportation options.
One Young World Bath, a highly coveted event, concluded Green Week with diverse speakers. The day's discussions centred around pressing issues such as Climate Justice, Mental Health in Sports, and Peace Reconciliation. We had a fellow student, Vanessa share her thoughts on the event:
As an Economics student, as I was keen to learn more about worldly issues and network with likeminded people. I did find it inspirational as previously, I was not very exposed to issues such as climate change and global warming. However, after listening to different perspectives from the panellists, I now have a better understanding of the climate crisis that our world is facing. I think it is important for climate justice to be a key theme in order to expose more people and raise awareness of how crucial this issue is and how we as a society can tackle issues regarding the environment.
This and all other events remind us we can all be changemakers; our community holds the knowledge and power to create inspirational change. Together, we can create a brighter and green future.
Remember that sustainability and climate action don’t just exist during Green Week; there are many opportunities to get involved throughout the academic year. Visit the staff and student climate action webpages to find out more!
Angelica Reyes Caceres
BSc Politics & International Relations student, currently working with the Climate Action Team!
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