I attended an education and sustainability conference in London recently held by the HEFCE (Higher Education Funding Council for England) and wanted to relate back about my experience.<\/p>\n
As a current student at Canterbury Christ Church University I feel that having the opportunity to attend such an event was not only a privilege but an informative experience. I sat with directors, doctors and academics but disappointingly with only three other students (two of us which were from CCCU).<\/p>\n
The speakers included Steve Egan HEFCE\u2019s deputy Chief Executive, David Pencheon from the NHS, Nigel Carrington Vice Chancellor from the University of the Arts London and from Dom Anderson Vice President National Union of Students Society and Citizenship and were all fantastic.<\/p>\n
The word \u2018Sustainability\u2019 sometimes raises a yawn, so if you\u2019re still reading I think it\u2019s best to understand that it is not about a load of people hugging trees or ramming tuna fish trawlers to save dolphins. It\u2019s very much more about reducing our carbon footprint and providing a future for ourselves and others.<\/p>\n
At the conference it was mentioned that humans aren\u2019t rational beings. The choices we make cannot be, because if we were, we would not continue to put strain on the planet and harm our health. I don\u2019t agree with this comment personally, I think as human beings we are very rational, I also think that we are perhaps too rational and have just become lazy due to technology and science becoming the dominating factor in fixing us and making the world more efficient. Therefore it is more rational to put things off till later, wait for a cure and leave others to solve the problems.<\/p>\n
People assume they can\u2019t make a difference to reduce their carbon footprint and think that surely someone will find a breakthrough idea to fix it, but if we don\u2019t individually act now it might be too late to put it off until later.When it comes to breakthroughs with sustainability there is one ideal type of person that can start to do that. Us!<\/p>\n
Education, itself is not only about how good a job you will get at the end and how much money you will earn, it\u2019s also about what kind of future we will create and get to live in. Starting with those in education can make the difference and teach simple methods in sustainability that can stay with us for the rest of our lives, and continue the cycle to educate those who will take our place.<\/p>\n
An NUS survey showed that 4 in 5 students wanted their universities to be more active in sustainability, let\u2019s try and make it 5 out of 5. There are so many projects and ways everyone can get involved with and there is so much you can do individually. Get in contact with your SU or Sustainability department to see what they are doing or with your own ideas.<\/p>\n
If you are still really are not interested, look at it in a different way, don\u2019t take part for the future of the environment, don\u2019t take part because it is you\u2019re children and their children\u2019s future that is at stake, take part and promote sustainability because your extra-curricular involvement will look fantastic to employers, and as a side line, YOU help create a future.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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