Submitted by Susannah Cook on Wed, 2022-09-28 12:05
What does your position involve?
My role involves developing the first College’s Sustainability Report. I will be collecting data and case studies of sustainable practices across every College and collating this into a final report that will be published alongside the University’s Annual Environmental Sustainability Report.
What is your (education/qualification) background, and how did you get here?
I have a BSc in Geology from Durham University and I have just finished my MPhil in Holocene Climates at Cambridge University. During my MPhil year I was Darwin College’s May Ball Green Officer and helped the College Green Officer deliver on our annual Green Week. I also volunteered at the Green Impact Audits which provided me my first insight into the Sustainability Team.
What were you doing before joining the Sustainability Team?
I just completed my MPhil at Cambridge in Holocene Climates and then went backpacking across Budapest, Vienna and Prague for two weeks, moving straight into this role a week after I returned!
What are you looking forward to getting your teeth into in the coming year?
I am really excited to deliver the first College’s Sustainability Report, which will cover what all 31 Colleges are acting on in terms of sustainability.
Who is your inspirational figure (real or fictional)?
My Grandparents have really inspired me through my life, teaching me that perseverance is important and that sometimes you need to keep trying to achieve something great or in other words “Reach for the moon and you will land among the stars”.
Do you have any hobbies?
I like walking, running and have recently taken up a bit of climbing (basically anything active!). I also love reading and should make more time for it.
What do you think is the biggest environmental challenge?
Getting everyone to work together for a common goal.
What gets you out of bed (and into work) in the morning?
Knowing that what the whole team is working on, will help everyone at the University live a more sustainable life.
What is your environment-related pet hate?
'Fast Fashion', the rate at which fast fashion brands cycle around new trends and the rates in which consumers buy is not sustainable!
First impressions of Cambridge?
I have been in Cambridge for a year now, but my first impression was definitely how green it is! From the College gardens to public green spaces like the Mill Pond (the view from my College room!).