Submitted by Peter Lumb on Fri, 2019-09-27 16:19
It’s been a big few months at the University of Cambridge for climate change and environmental sustainability. On the same day as the UK’s all-time temperature record was broken at the Cambridge University Botanic Gardens, the University committed to a ‘science based target’ of zero carbon emissions from energy use by 2048, becoming the first University globally to do so. Just weeks later the University Catering Service hit national headlines for its ground-breaking and successful work to cut carbon emissions from catering by 33%, as just one example of the University working to improve its sustainability performance.
For anyone interested in sustainability and climate change at Cambridge, this year promises to see many more exciting new developments, as signalled in the Vice Chancellor’s blog on climate change on the day of last week’s Global Climate Strike. As the world increasingly turns its attention to this issue, the University’s Environment & Energy Section is dedicated to providing opportunities for students, to support them to make positive change right here in their academic home! Here’s a summary of some of the opportunities available in the opening weeks of the new term:
Green Impact training – get your College a sustainability awardOur first training session is aimed at those who want to get their College working towards sustainability improvements, from encouraging your fellow students to save energy and recycle, through to working with College staff to transform grounds maintenance and catering to consider environmental issues. Last year, 15 of the Colleges received ‘Green Impact’ awards for their efforts, and we hope this year we’ll see even more participating Colleges, and even more of the highest ‘Platinum’ awards! No prior experience is required, just an enthusiasm and willingness to get involved! Come along on Friday 18th October, 4-6pm in the Alison Richards building for our session on “Setting up or supporting a Green Impact team in your College”. Email greenimpact@admin.cam.ac.uk to register, including any dietary requirements (food is provided). |
Green Challenge training – get involved in sustainability projectsOur second training session is aimed at supporting those who want the flexibility to take on small-scale environmental projects this year, boosting their CV and gaining experience of practical sustainability challenges and how to tackle them. The Environment & Energy Section will throughout the academic year be working to link up students with departments across the University, and are seeking ‘Project Assistants’ to support one-off sustainability projects. The projects could range from designing environmental communications materials, to running awareness events, to analysing the University’s recycling performance. We give you the opportunities and guidance, you make the impact! No prior experience is required, just an enthusiasm and willingness to get involved! Come along on 17th October, 5-7pm, Alison Richards building for our “Green Challenge Project Assistants training”. Email greenimpact@admin.cam.ac.uk to register, including any dietary requirements (food is provided). |
Engage for Change – turning talk into actionEngage for Change is a programme for people who want to learn to make change happen, through having effective conversations with those around them. Over the course of this longer, 6 week programme, you will design, implement and evaluate your own environmental sustainability-related interventions, using the University as a testing-ground for the skills that you'll develop. Applications for Michaelmas 2019 are now closed however applications for Lent term are open! Successful applicants will be invited to sign up for interview slots in the beginning of October. The programme will run through the term, with weekly meetings on Mondays 5.30-7pm. Visit https://www.cambridgehub.org/activities/engage-for-change to find out more. |