EPIGRAM 324

green

Fortnightly 26th February 2018 Issue 324

Winner of Best Publication and Best Use of Digital Media 2017

University of Bristol’s Independent Student Newspaper

Special Edition: The Green Issue

• Almost two thirds of the student body see themselves as environmentalists • Does Bristol deserve its reputation as a green city and university?

SciTech

Can we keep

Raymond-Hayling’s crafts for

our planet

upcycling waste materials

blue?

Page 39

www.epigram.org.uk

Comment Daniel Burkitt: being an environmentalist means not taking recreational drugs

Page 14 EpigramPaper

Music Epigram / Gabi Spiro

Get creative with Helena

Epigram / Imogen Robertson

Arts

Page 10 @EpigramPaper

Illustration by Harry Coke

• Epigram launches campaign to celebrate sustainability and raise awareness

@epigrampaper_

Jess Williamson:

Is the vinyl revival eco-friendly?

Page 42 Download our app!

Epigram | 26.02.2018

Editorial

2 Co-Editors in Chief: Alex Boulton and Noa Leach

Online Editor: Georgia Marsh

editor@epigram.org.uk

georgia.marsh@epigram.org.uk

Deputy: Edie Essex Barrett

Online Deputy: Lucy Thompson

Editorial Assistant: Mary Richardson

For advertisements, please contact calli.keane@epigram.org.uk

A note from the Co-Editors...

We were inspired to create this special edition by Alan Tang who, as Epigram’s Editor-in-Chief in 2006/7, published the original Green Issue. The front cover and the editorial page can be seen above.

Chief Proofreader Lucy Moor Sub-editors on this issue Willow Smith, Poppy Price, Imogen Benson, Trystan Cullinan, Cecily Donohue-Hall, Samuel Wong, Izi Miller, Nadia Hassan, Gianina Dwek, Jess Browne-Swinburne Managing Director Calli Keane

The environment has been at the centre of much political and cultural thought and discussion recently, from the release of the government’s 25 year plan to the airing of David Attenborough’s latest nature series ‘Blue Planet II’ a few months ago.

This subject, however, is not just a temporary concern or indeed limited to the leaders of the world, but must be an integral part of our lives.

This is a concern at the hearts of all of us here at Epigram, and for this reason we decided that over half our content should, for one special Epigreen Week issue, bring this international anxiety to the setting of the University of Bristol.

Bristol itself is renowned for being a green city and university, as many features in this issue endeavor to show.

It is a centre for cross-disciplinary environmental study (read an article from Richard Pancost, the Director of the Cabot Institute, on page six) was named 2015’s European Green Capital; and is home to the legendary city ‘poo-bus’, as Phoebe Chase points out on page nine. But is the city, and its University, doing enough to protect our environment?

As figures from its most recent report show, the University has improved sustainability-wise. This has included reducing carbon emissions by 35 per cent since 2005/6 and increasing hall recycling rates by 56 per cent. An Epigram interview with the Sustainability Department helped us learn more about this, and can be found on page seven.

There has also been a lot of ‘green’ news recently, including the success of Fossil Free Society in campaigning for the University to divest from investing from fossil fuel giants which was reported on in the last issue. An interview with the society can be found on page eight of this issue. February also saw Bristol SU’s Sustainability month, ending with a ‘Zero Waste Week’.

While the university may be improving in certain sustainability respects, claiming ‘sustainability is part of everything we do’, a survey conducted by Epigram reveals 47.2 per cent of respondents are not aware of the University’s environmental policies. The other half who were aware

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Head of Marketing Lowri Daniels Marketing Assistants Kate Nissen, Tara Lidstone  Epigram is the independent student newspaper of the University of Bristol. The views expressed in this publication are not those of the University or the Students’ Union.

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Alex Boulton and Noa Leach, Co-Editors in Chief

What can you do to be green? Student Society focus

Director of Communications Joe Jones

Deputy Finance Jeremy Mei

of relevant policies were just as likely to be dissatisfied as satisfied. Read the full results on page 3.

A number of articles also note the environmental hypocrisy of the student lifestyle. Dan Burkitt argues on page 10 that the widespread recreational drug use amongst students mismatches Bristol’s widespread environmental concern, while our survey revealed a mere 1.4 per cent of students feel like they are environmentally friendly in everything they do.

Saying this, 97.5 per cent of respondents felt that they did at least ‘one or two things that are environmentally friendly’, while 61.9 per cent said they considered themselves as environmentalists.

Knowing that this was such an important cause to such a significant number of us, we endeavored to make the switch to recycled paper for Epigram from the beginning of this academic year. Numerous quotes later, and the fear that we might have to fork out extortionate amounts of money to print even one eco-friendly issue, we discovered that we have actually been printing on recycled paper all along!

This edition of the paper kick starts our campaign week (week beginning 26th February) which we hope will raise awareness of these issues. ‘Epigreen Week’ will see a range of conservation-oriented articles and multimedia projects broadcast across all our online channels.

You can join us by putting a bit of green into your life, and, luckily for you, Epigram has already given you the means to do so. This page shows a selection of student-led sustainability projects, and in the rest of the paper our editors have provided a selection of self-help guides for green living in different areas of life.

We recommend Helena Raymond Hayling’s creative crafts which use up your waste materials (page 39), Emily Hayman’s guide to being a Green Bean (page 18), Sarah Roller’s tips on how to avoid food waste (page 25), and Jessica Smith’s advice on maintaining a sustainable wardrobe without sacrificing style (page 24).

Perhaps something you read in this issue will become not just a week-long experiment but a long-term habit – you can count on the fact that the Epigram team will certainly be trying!

Bristol Hub: With a mission of getting more students involved in social action at University, sustainabilitywise Bristol Hub have programmes such as Forest Schools, to teach the importance of sustainability, and Just Eat it!, a pop-up food waste cafe. They also have other social impact placements such as Code Club and the Social Innovation Programme.

Roots Community Gardening: A student-led volunteering group that creates and maintains green spaces around the University and wider Bristol area.

Roots’ priority has always been student wellbeing, and allowing students to experience the mental and physical benefits that working outside brings, as well as just creating spaces for people to enjoy.

Student Action for Refugees (STAR)/The Grow Group: STAR runs three volunteer programs in Bristol which focuses on improving literacy for refugee children, They are currently in the process of setting up the Grow Group in St Pauls, in collaboration with Roots Community Gardening.

Fossil Free Bristol: As part of a nationwide campaign, Fossil Free Bristol believe lhat educational institutions should cut their ties with the fossil fuel industry and work as a society towards seeing these ties dissolve.

After succeeding in getting the university to create a

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divestment policy, it was recently announced that the University had divested from fossil fuel giants. Read an interview with the society on page.

Bristol SU RAG, Volunteering and Sustainability Network: A group of students who volunteer and campaign on social, economic and environmental issues at University of Bristol and in the community. Join their Facebook page and become part of the network on the Bristol SU website.

BUST (Bristol University Sustainability Team): A group of students that facilitates student sustainability projects and local environmental activism. Join the Facebook page for updates.

Friends of the Earth: A student-led society linked to the UK environmental NGO that focuses on plastic, food waste, sustainable diets and lifestyles, and clean air campaigns. They aim to help educate people about sustainability in a ‘modern and inclusive’ way.

Uni Roots: Run by students who ‘love sustainable food’ with a mission to show people that good food can be ethical and affordable.

BUCG (Bristol University Conservation Group): A society that allows and encourages students to get outdoors and do some conservation work, offering places on weekly trips around Bristol, Somerset, and Gloucestershire.

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Epigram 26.02.2018

Editor: Nikki Peach news@epigram.org.uk

Deputy Editor: Hannah Wakefield, Lucy Downer

Online Editor: Emma Chittleburgh

Deputy Online Editors: Emily Vernall, Jecca Powell

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News

3

@epigramnews

‘Climate change is f---ing terrifying’: the results of Epigram’s Green Survey Daniel Burkitt Third Year, English ‘Sustainability is part of everything we do’, the University of Bristol claims on their website.

This week, Epigram conducted a survey to establish whether students consider this to be the case - and whether this statement could also be true of the students themselves.

It appears that for the 161 students who completed the survey, sustainability is certainly a feature of their lives, if not ‘part of everything’ they do. The overwhelming majority - 97.5 per cent - felt that as part of their current lifestyle they did at the very least ‘one or two things that are environmentally-friendly’, if not more.

However, a mere 1.4 per cent of respondents feel that they are environmentally-friendly in everything they do and the vast majority - 87.6 per cent - felt that they could do more to help the environment.

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Veganism/vegetarianism were frequently cited as greener choices students have made

Almost two thirds - 61.9 per cent - said that they considered themselves to be environmentalists - a quasi-religious label, but useful in assessing the value placed on the environment.

The survey also found that most students made ‘Green Choices’ – choosing to buy and do things that help the environment. 38.5 per cent did this often, 54 per cent sometimes, and only 7.5 per cent did this infrequently or

never. The most common Green Choices made were concerned with the disposing of waste and altering consumer habits – including veganism/vegetarianism, which 64 per cent of respondents cited as being a form of Green Choice they made.

91.6% of students want their careers to have a positive environmental impact

Personal desire to help the environment was by far the biggest factor persuading people to make these environmentally-friendly choices – 90 per cent of respondents cited this as their motivation to make Green Choices, while only 15.6 per cent considered that social or peer pressure was a motivation. Green choices being cheaper or more convenient were also factors but considerably less common, with 50.6 per cent saying the former was a motivation and 28.1 per cent the latter.

A few students also cited their ‘genuine fear of environmental apocalypse’ as their motivation for making these choices. ‘Climate change is f--ing terrifying’, noted one student.

But despite their willingness to make ‘Green Choices’, the survey also revealed that the respondents were reluctant to sacrifice personal enjoyment or pleasure in order to be more environmentally-friendly.

50.3 per cent said they sacrifce pleasure sometimes but only 6.2 per cent said they sacrifice pleasure often. 33.5 per centsaid they do so infrequently and 9.9 per cent say they never sacrifce enjoyment for the sake of the environment.

Looking to the future, 91.6 per cent of

respondents wanted their careers to have a positive environmental impact. But only 36.9 per cent of respondents wished to pursue a career in sustainability when they graduated, perhaps indicating the difficulty of knowing exactly how to achieve this ambition.

Only 21.7 per cent of respondents said that they were currently involved with organisations whose purpose is directly related to sustainability.

The survey furthermore revealed a widespread sense of ignorance – and dissatisfaction – in relation to the University of Bristol’s green policies.

When asked whether they were satisfied with the environmental policies and pledges made by the University, almost half - 47.2 per cent of respondents said that they were not aware of them, and of the other half, students were just as likely to be dissatisfied as satisfied, with 26.7 per cent saying they were satisfied and 26.1 per cent dissatisfied.

Those who were satisfied said that they felt the University’s policies were ‘realistic and achievable’ or that at the very least they were ‘making an attempt’ regarding sustainability.

Unsurprisingly given the response, the University policies’ lack of visibility was the most common cause for complaint.

The issues raised by those who were dissatisfied with the University’s policies ranged from the micro - more recycling bins in particular buildings and a reduction in single use plastics in cafes on campus - to the macro ensuring the University does not invest in fossil fuels or companies with ties to dirty energy.

However, the respondents were equally quick to condemn their fellow students, with the majority disagreeing with a statement saying that the student body are sufficiently aware of environmental issues. 53.4 per cent disagreed and 13.6 per cent strongly disagreed.

The suggestion that they do enough to act in a sustainable manner was also rejected.

52.7 per cent disagreed; 21.1 per cent strongly disagreed.

47.2% of respondents said they were not aware of the University’s environmental policies But barely a quarter of students think that there are issues more important than sustainability, 46.5 per cent of the rest disagreeing and 26.7 per cent strongly disagreeing.

There is evident recognition of the need for positive environmental action from both the University administration and student body, and a clear student desire to make changes sooner rather than later.

In reponse to this survey, a University of Bristol Spokesperson said: ‘Sustainability is core to the University’s vision and strategy and addressing social and environmental challenges is at the heart of everything we do. As a continued commitment to our city’s recognition as Green Capital in 2015, the University has made a variety of pledges including becoming a net carbon neutral campus by 2030 and decreasing our transport footprint. As a result, there has been a 17% reduction in carbon emissions in the last year alone.

‘Communicating sustainability and our sustainable initiatives to staff and students is vital, and we are working to develop this by giving students opportunities for education such as our Sustainable Futures online courses.

We continue to work alongside Bristol SU and various student groups to run events and promote sustainable behaviour change.’

University releases Sustainability Report Results Deputy Online News Editor Jecca Powell rounds up the most significant environmental achievements from Bristol University’s Sustainability Report 2016/7

Infogram / Jecca Powell

Epigram 26.02.2018

4 Bristol-based start-up ‘Sprout’ encourages

Bristol club Pryzm stops giving out straws

students to choose greener businesses

with drinks

Harry Hickey Second Year, Psychology The Bristol-based start-up Sprout is bringing students and residents together to encourage positive sustainable change in local businesses. Sprout is part of the “buycott revolution”, based on a popular movement in California called Carrotmobbing, which urges people to start spending money more ethically and make Bristol businesses more sustainable. Sprout is here to; get rid of plastic straws, cut down on unnecessary waste, get cafes to replace old wasteful equipment and even make energy out of your used coffee grounds.

Everyone has heard of boycotting, whereby you choose not to shop somewhere because you disagree with the company’s morals or ethics. Examples include companies such as Nike or Gap having profits slashed after the sweatshop labour controversy of the 1990s or Volkswagen’s emission scandal causing a big fall in sales. Whatever it might be, boycotting works after a company is found out. But

‘buycotting’ is here to promote better business by showing that consumers, like me and you, care about promoting a more sustainable and ethical business.

Sprout engages initially with a local business - chosen by the Sprout Community - and agrees a sustainable action for the company to carry out. When enough ‘Sprouters’ use the business, the target is reached, and the action is carried out. The end goal: a greener, more sustainable Bristol.

All the individual has to do is to shop at Sprout- approved retailers. There are no extra costs, you can still spend how you would normally.

Being part of Sprout is free, and you know your money is going towards making a positive change.

People are going to continue spending money at Bristol businesses whether it’s buying that morning coffee or that lunchtime sandwich or even getting a fresh trim for that special event. But by coming together the Sprout community encourages positive and sustainable change.

You can join the Sprout movement for free by finding them on Facebook, Twitter or

Lucy Downer Deputy News Editor Bristol club PRYZM, part of a nationwide chain of clubs, is joining the movement for eco-change by banning plastic straws.

PRYZM have decided to instead offer a biodegradable alternative for cocktails, mixers and soft drinks, reducing the environmental impact of its plastic consumption.

Adin Memetovic, the club’s general manager, talks about the changes.

‘We’re all about serving up a great night out, but from 19th February the only straws we’ll offer to customers will be made from renewable plant sources. They’ll biodegrade in six months rather than hundreds of years so they won’t add to the planet’s pollution problems.’

‘Our customers and colleagues are more environmentally aware so I’m sure they’ll welcome the change and agree that plastic sucks!’

Straws will no longer be served routinely in drinks, but if a customer asks for one, biodegradable straws will be provided.

PRYZM is part of The Deltic Group, the UK’s largest operator for late night bars and clubs, running 57

venues and employing 3000 people.

It is introducing the ban as part of a wider commitment to be a more eco-friendly and sustainable operation.

In making this move, it illustrates its support for the concerns within the hospitality industry about the pollution caused by plastic straws which end up in landfill sites and in the sea.

To better spread the message on its social media, the club has created the hashtag #nostrawsattached.

Following this news, Epigram contacted other clubs within Bristol, to find out their stance on this issue. The popular club Basement 45 responded.

‘It’s something we are looking into. We have used paper straws on our drinks tasting courses, and we soon hope to replace all our plastic straws. We have also tried having no straws, although some customers specifically ask for them.’

The movement seems to be catching on.

Nightclubs are beginning to recognise both their own responsibility towards the environment and also their ability to take steps towards a remedy.

It is hoped that the introduction of biodegradable straws, as well as an increasing awareness amongst consumers about the impact of asking for straws in clubs, will lead to a reduction in their overall use.

Student-led demonstration shuts down

Stephen Fry supports research to protect

Barclays on Queens Road

Fruit Bats

On February 15th, University of Bristol students from environmental groups such as Fossil Free Society led a demonstration outside Barclays bank on Queens Road.

The students, joined by other activists and pedestrians, had intended to sit inside the bank with their banners and signs until it closed.

However, seeing the large group assemble, the bank closed early at 3pm to prevent this from occurring and police officers were also ready on the scene.

In the past student protesters have used chalk graffiti to deface the bank with their message ‘Divest Barclays’ and on one occasion two of the students were arrested.

Their reasons for protesting come from Barclays’ position as a global contributor to the fossil fuel industry, investing $4bn in 2016.

The Divest Barclays campaign hopes to make the bank publicly commit to excluding all new fossil fuel projects and companies reliant on them from corporate and project finance.

They must also divest from the existing fossil fuel projects and associated corporations that Barlcays currently finances.

The fossil fuel industry is one of the key contributors to global warming and is a cause that many student activists and environmentalists feel passionate about.

Their help on the day providing placards and people power was invaluable, and Fossil Free hopes for many more collaborations with them in the future. They caught the attention of the public, who showed interest in their quest to leave a safer planet for younger generations, asking them questions as they passed by.

The students held their banners outside the bank and stayed there until the usual closing time - for over an hour. They also chanted to attract members of the public to sign their petition and join the movement.

Bristol student Robin Boardman, one of the organisers, spoke about the protest: ‘Today we shut down one of the dirtiest banks on our high-streets and it felt amazing. Alongside Grandparents for a Safe Earth we spread our multi-generational message that fossil fuel financing must end. It can’t just happen by shutting down banks.’

‘We need to get our university to stop banking and taking loans from Barclays, which are currently valued at over £250 million. By attacking their reputation, like protestors did in the seventies because of their investments in the South African Apartheid regime, we can start to limit their funding for chaotic climate change,’ he added.

Getting involved includes joining the ‘People & Planet’s Divest Barclays campaign’, signing a petition calling for the University to break its links with Barclays and taking to the streets in order to damage Barclays’ reputation through peaceful protest.

Fry, a former Vice President of the Flora and Fauna wildlife conservation society, took to twitter to express his support for the research endeavour.

Stephen Fry, the celebrated author and ‘What could be nobler than saving a beautiful broadcaster. has made a generous contribution bat from extinction?’ he tweeted. to a crowd funding campaign set up by the The fundraising campaign received 104% of its Bristol Zoological Society. initial target, and the two year research project His support has helped University of Bristol will begin soon. Richdon, who is completing a five PhD student, Sarah Richdon, reach her £7,500 year PhD programme, commented. target and she will now be able to conduct ‘I am overwhelmed that Stephen would so vital research investigating the future of enthusiastically and willingly support our cause safeguarding Livingstone’s fruit bats. by pledging and tweeting about it.’

Richdon, a former Zoology student at Cardiff Simon Cavill, brother of Superman actor Henry University, will use the money to produce a Cavill, also donated to the appeal. genetic family tree of the bats in captivity at Wild Livingstone’s fruit bats are found on the Bristol Zoo and Jersey Zoo. Comoro islands in the Indian Ocean. The bats play a crucial role in reforestation, as they disperse seeds across the island.

But in recent years, over 45% of the Comoros I am overwhelmed that Stephen islands have been transformed into agricultural would so enthusiastically and land, depriving the bats of their natural habitat. willingly support our cause This change has had a huge impact on the natural ecosystem.

Richdon intends to publish her findings throughout her investigation.

There are currently less than 1,300 ‘It is important that the information I find is in Livingstone’s fruit bats living in the wild. the public domain so that everyone can benefit’.

Bristol Zoo Gardens is home to 11 of the mere ‘Only with conservation in the field and in 70 individual bats currently living in captivity. captivity can this species survive and, thanks to Richdon first became interested in the bats the support of Stephen Fry and all the wonderful through volunteering at Bristol Zoo, a role she people who generously donated, I hope to be able held for 18 months. provide essential research to this effect.’

Julia O’Driscoll Fourth Year, Liberal Arts

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Nikki Peach News Editor

4.4 magnitude earthquake hits Bristol Leila Mitwally Online Wellbeing Editor An earthquake hit Bristol on the afternoon of Saturday 17th February. The resulting tremors were felt around the university campus and beyond.

At around 14:30, an earthquake lasting around 10 seconds was felt by students around Bristol.

The British Geological survey have confirmed that the earthquake had a magnitude of 4.4 at a depth of 7.4km, the biggest earthquake to hit the UK in a decade. According to various social media sources, the earthquake affected various

areas of the South West and South Wales and ‘#earthquake’ started trending on Twitter.

The epicentre of the earthquake was announced as 20km north of Swansea, 88km from Bristol. A BGS tweet added: ‘Events of this magnitude only happen in the UK every 2-3 years.’

The earthquake was felt strongly in the ASS library, as students stood up and rushed over to the windows in confusion.

Ella Salusbury, a third year Geography student who in the ASS said: ‘at first we didn’t know what was going on, and we just felt our chairs vibrating.

But then the desks and fixtures starting shaking and it was really loud. Everyone was looking at eachother and panicking - the girl next to me looked like she was about to cry.’

The tremor follows a major 7.2-magnitude earthquake which hit Mexico-City the night before.

Avon Fire and Rescue confirmed it received several calls of buildings damage in the city.

Insurance companies in Bristol also reported they had received several calls asking about earthquake damage.

One couple who were out shopping told the Bristol Post: ‘We felt it and wondered what it was.

We thought there had been an explosion and felt the ground shudder.’

Police in Carmarthenshire, near where the earthquake’s epicentre was located, tweeted: ‘Multiple reports of tremors across the Dyfed Powys Police area. Thoughts are with those who

have been affected by loss of internet connection/ WiFi. Please contact your internet provider for further assistance.’

Bristol students reported feeling the movement in houses as far out as Hotwells, with reports on twitter from as far north as Birmingham. Many people reacted to the news in hilarious ways on Twitter, tweeting pictures of overturned bins and spoof images of a collapsed Clifton Suspension Bridge.

For many, Saturday was too much as it was also the day many KFC stores closed around Bristol due to lack of chicken. Another tweeted: ‘Some suffered stubbed toes, others report of books falling from low shelves. We must rebuild #england #earthquake’

Epigram 26.02.2018

5

‘A whole institution approach’: VC Hugh Brady reveals revised residential model

Key elements of the revised model:

Brady told Epigram: ‘I can put my hand on my heart and say this will be noticed by other universities’

In terms of training, the University say many of the new staff will have backgrounds in pastoral care, young people, and mental health. They will receive induction training and ongoing training thereafter to ‘maintain consistency throughout the University’ and ensure that all students are receiving equal support.

When asked about the extensive opposition the initial review has received, Brady told Epigram that he valued the constructive and concrete suggestions provided by students. Brady said that he received copious feedback, ‘all of which I read’, and has listened. The University has said that between 13 December 2017 and 9 February 2018, they received 290 responses from 422 staff, students, alumni and other stakeholders as part of a consultation held on the initial review.

They expect little opposition to the new model, saying that ‘any reasonable person looking at it would think positively in terms of investment, people on the ground, the balance between pastoral care and community making and the balance between what students have said and [the] University’s needs’.

Despite this confidence, Keep Our Communities has responded to the new model: ‘Last week, 92.1% of voting students rejected any model for residences which would eliminate pastoral teams in Halls. This has been completely ignored by the Vice-Chancellor and those responsible for the latest iteration of the proposed model.

* A competitive position, modelled on American universities, to be filled by a Postgraduate student * To liaise with rest of team on pastoral and academic issues * At least one per residence * Will oversee Senior Residents * Introduction of a Senior Academic Tutor * One per village * To support students academically * Will have regular office hours, including early mornings, evenings and occasional weekends * Introduction of a Residential Experience Coordinator * In charge of links between JCRs, Residential Life Teams, Bristol SU and Sport, Exercise and Health * Increased number of Residential Life Advisors * 7-8 per village, live-in (as opposed to 15 across all villages in initial model, and around 14 overall in current provision) * According to Brady, it is their ‘job to be out and about across halls of residences’ * Responsible for delivery of care and community building * Future of JCRs and Alumni Associations secured

‘It is clear that the Vice-Chancellor continues to underestimate the role of Wardens, Deputy Wardens (DWs) and Student Support Advisors (SSAs) in supporting students and building communities. During the course of our campaign, many students spoke up about the crucial work they do, with one even stating: “Were it not for a woman sitting in this room, I would not be standing here today.”

‘After encouraging professors to get more involved in Hall life several years ago, which resulted in 9 academics being appointed as Wardens, the University is now completely backtracking and ejecting all but 3 of them.

‘Additionally, the proposed model crucially fails to address how Senior Residents (SRs) will have the time to engage in community building activities and fulfil their pastoral care duties whilst on a shift-based system, working approximately 10 hours per week. This problem becomes even more profound given that the final tally of SRs in the revised model remains vastly inadequate.

‘Although the University has done lip service to some of the responses of students and staff, it remains the case that poor research has been conducted, no risk analysis has been completed, extensive holes remain in their plans, and the whole model is to be rushed through by September. It is baffling how a change of this scale has not been more rigorously evidenced. Their haste will result in a chaotic implementation which will see future students suffer.’

Replying to a question about how the SU referendum may impact the model’s implementation, organised by Keep Our Communities to determine an official SU position on any future hub-based model, Brady, asking for the changes to be seen as part of ‘a whole institution approach’, replied: ‘What is a hubbased model, and why have a referendum on a draft proposal?’

The University believes this is a ‘sector-leading’ model, and Brady told Epigram: ‘I can put my hand on my heart and say this will be noticed by other universities’, citing the level of investment and the employment of on-duty professional services staff as explanations.

Despite much doubt from critics about the feasibility of implementing a new model so quickly, Brady was confident it would be ready

by September. There will be a transitional period until then, including recruitment and selecting the members of the Expert Advisory Group, but no further consultation from staff and students on the overall model will be undertaken.

* Residential Life Advisory committee * To replace current Hall Advisory committees * To advise on community building and student wellbeing * Introduction of an Advisory Group of external experts in student support and wellbeing * To advise on implementation and monitoring of model

Epigram / Alex Boulton

* Still a ‘hub-based model’, but ‘hubs’ changed to ‘Residential Villages’ * The 3 villages will comprise of Stoke Bishop, Clifton and City Centre residences respectively, with a fourth planned for Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus * Wardens and Deputy Wardens to be removed (no change from initial proposed model) * A Head and Deputy Head of Residential Life based in each village * To manage 24/7 pastoral care, community building, events and activities * Doubles the proposed number of Senior Residents- from 54 in the original proposed model to 120 (96 Senior Residents and 24 Chief Residents). Currently, there are 150 across halls so the revised model still sees an overall reduction in Senior Residents * Changing name from Residential Life Mentors back to Senior Residents * Ratio of Senior Residents to residents changed from 1:100 in original proposal to 1:50 in revised model * Distribution of SRs across residences will depend on size of each hall * Introduction of a Chief Resident

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The University has revealed the newest and final revision of the Residential Life Service Model, which they say is characterised by its ‘whole institution approach’ rather than being residences or halls-based.

Vice-Chancellor Hugh Brady told Epigram in an interview that the new model does not ‘start from scratch’ but rather combines what the University does well already and what needs a ‘radical overhaul’. The new model has already faced criticism by Keep Our Communities (KOC), the student-led organisation protesting the changes, who argue the changes ‘will result in a chaotic implementation which will see future students suffer.’

The previous proposed model, released on the 18th of December, faced major opposition from staff, students and alumni, around three major criticisms: it lacked sufficient wellbeing support with fewer people ‘on hand’; it removed the ‘community feel’ from residences; and it existed mainly as a money-saving device. Brady argues that all three of these problems have been solved in the new model, which he said is an opportunity for a ‘new Bristol’, while KOC argue the changes represent the University’s ‘lip service to some of the responses of students and staff’ and opposition to a hub-based system ‘has been completely ignored’.

In a letter introducing the changes, Brady said the priority of the new model was to provide ‘consistent, high-quality, 24/7/365 support for inclusive community building and student wellbeing’.

He recognised that in 10 years there has been two to three-fold increase in referrals to the counselling service, and said the University realised it could not ‘carry on with the same model and expect a different result’.

In our interview, Brady used a healthcare analogy to explain that this model will encourage ‘early identification’ of any student problems (especially those concerning mental wellbeing) as there will be ‘more people who are trained to recognise the early signs’. They say they will also encourage student initiatives to ‘complement’ the model and involve students in the process of discovering the ‘early signs’.

The model is now ‘completely divorced from rent prices’ as the University responded to feedback that called for investment rather than

saving. Costing £2.9 million (compared to the £2.6 million current model), Brady argues it will now be one of the highest investments in such a system in the country.

According to the University, the ‘whole institution approach’ means that every part of the system will now be more linked than before, with new roles like ‘Senior Academic Tutors’ covering the crossover between wellbeing and academia. KOC maintain that the changes are the result of ‘poor research’ and ‘no risk analysis has been completed, extensive holes remain in their plans.’

Epigram / Hannah Wakefield

Alex Boulton and Noa Leach Co-Editors in Chief

The ‘whole institution approach’

Bristol votes to oppose a hub-based pastoral model in SU referendum Alex Boulton Co-Editor in Chief It was announced on the 15 February that the ‘Yes’ campaign won the most votes in the Residences Referendum, meaning that official SU policy will be to oppose any hub-based pastoral model.

2963 votes were cast in the referendum2729 for Yes and 234 for No, meaning 92.1% of voters voted for the ‘Yes’ campaign. This sees a reversal in the SU’s position on the University’s plans to move to a hall-based pastoral model.

The referendum, called in response to the opposition to the halls review, was focused on the question: The University of Bristol has proposed changes to the pastoral support system in residences which include a change from managing pastoral support in each residence to managing pastoral support in clusters of residences (‘hubs’).

Should Bristol SU oppose any model for pastoral support which includes this change?

Yes or No? The ‘Yes’ campaign was led by Tom Phillips and Ben Bloch, co-founders of Keep Our Communities, the student-led organisation protesting the changes. They argued that a hubs based approach will put students in danger and threaten the community identity in halls.

The ‘No’ campaign was led by Lucky Dube, Student Living Officer at the SU, who argued: ‘Bristol SU should not oppose any pastoral change models which induce managing support in clusters of halls’.

Read more about the result online.

Bristol student wins grant to Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games Matt Dominey News Writer University of Bristol student Dan Bethell has been awarded a UK Sport grant enabling him to compete in the Para-Badminton programme at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.

Para-Badminton is due to make its debut in the 2020 games. As a result, UK Sport is investing £960,000 into the sport, allowing athletes such as Dan to compete. The money will go towards training and cover the costs of entering the competition.

Dan, who is studying for a postgraduate degree in International Commercial Law, has been training with the University’s Spot Performance Squad for four years and is now ranked first in the England Para-Badminton team. He spoke about his reaction to the grant.

‘This is amazing news and a momentous announcement for GB Para-Badminton and my own career. Since I started competing in Para-Badminton events, I have been predominantly self-funded as well as receiving grants from various sources such as the University of Bristol’s Vice Chancellor and Lloyd Robinson scholarships. This new funding will mean that I can now purely focus on becoming the best player I can and fulfil my dream of competing at the Paralympic games.’

‘I would like to take this opportunity to thank the amazing staff and athletes of the University’s Badminton Club and Performance Squad. Without their unwavering support, I would not be in the position I am today.’

Epigram

26.02.2018

Features

@epigramfeatures

Editor: Ellen Jones

Online Editor: Ollie Smith

Deputy Editor: Dani Bass

features@epigram.org.uk

Bristol’s legacy as European Green Capital: two years on Richard Pancost, director of the Cabot Institute discusses how green Bristol is as a city and a university Richard Pancost Professor of Biochemistry and Director of Cabot Institute

city is also grappling with the pressures of central government-imposed austerity, which threatens a sharp reduction in park funding and has undermined other programmes.

The Bristol Green Capital Partnership is thriving and on firmer financial ground; and it is now entrenched in city discussions, including pacing the ambitious environmental policies of the One City Plan. However, the voluntary and charity sectors that were so crucial to the success of the Green Capital are under much financial stress.

The University has certainly doubled down on its commitment to the environment. To build research capacity, we continue to appoint world leaders in topics ranging from climate change and renewable energy to low-carbon computing and sustainable supply chains. We have moved forward on our pledges, including continued investment in low carbon district heating, ongoing reform of our procurement and recently announcing our first success in divestment from fossil fuels. There is a long way to go, however, if

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In 2015, Bristol served as the UK’s first – and potentially its last – European Green Capital. It was an exhilarating and generally optimistic year, in which the University staff and students were enthusiastic and ubiquitous participants. And it culminated in the city and University attending the Paris Climate Summit where an ambitious new agreement to address climate change was finally agreed.

Since then, the University has appointed a new Vice Chancellor, and the city has elected a new Mayor. The country has had a general election and voted for Brexit. The world’s 2nd largest carbon polluter has elected Donald Trump to be its President. That is a lot of change! So what has been achieved and where are we now going?

The 2015 year itself was not free of controversy but was generally viewed as a success for our city.

It raised the city’s global profile and showcased our many successes in cycling, recycling, community activism, and renewable energy.

It engaged hundreds of thousands, including about 30,000 school children, launched the Shawn the Sheep Sustainability game, attracted global investment and fostered new Council policies. The University participated in the Year’s delivery, held dozens of events, supported dozens of others and made several pledges to act. Central to this involvement were the students who contributed over 60,000 hours of volunteering to sustainability initiatives.

The Cabot Institute was involved in the Green Capital almost all the way back to its inception, and in 2014 our first Manager, Philippa Bayley,

was elected to be co-chair of the Bristol Green Capital Partnership (BGCP), thought to be the world’s largest local network of environmental organisations. During the year, we were proud to showcase the amazing research in the University, from climate resilience to urban pollinators. We also supported our student initiatives; partnered with brilliant organisations in the city, like the BGCP but also businesses and the voluntary sector; contributed to much of the Arts Programme, including Luke Jerrams’ brilliant Withdrawn in Leigh Woods - and even commissioned some of our own art - that Alex Lucas Plesiosaur on Park Row! - ; and produced new research that helped inform Bristol’s new policies.

And now?

Now, I think, the legacy still thrives but not without complication. Mayor Marvin Rees recommitted the city to George Ferguson’s pledge to be carbon neutral by 2050, and the One City Plan currently in development promises to have bold new targets around plastic use, recycling, transport and energy. However, the

Bristol’s legacy as 2015 Green Capital of Europe still lives on

we are to achieve our pledge to be carbon neutral by 2030.

The legacy of our student engagement during 2015 is perhaps the most profound. That programme led to the Skills Bridge initiative and was one of the key inspirations for our ambitious Bristol Futures programme, which also centres the mutually beneficial collaboration between our students and our partners. One of the main strands of Bristol Futures is Sustainable Futures, a programme that draws on past student and partner initiatives during the Green Capital Year to inspire new students. And of course, independent of University initiatives, our students and student societies carry on doing amazing volunteer work, innovating, inventing and helping solve problems across the city.

Nonetheless, with all that is happening from park budget cuts to daily Trump tweets, it is easy to become discouraged. But the drive towards a sustainable future for Bristol is not as challenging as it seems now… and was not as assured as it seemed at the end of 2015. An example of the difficult but encouraging progress has been the Green and Black Ambassadors Programme, a partnership between Cabot, the BGCP and Ujima Radio. Ujima recognised that despite the Green Capital Year’s success, it failed to bridge the inclusion gaps in the city and truly engage with and celebrate what was happening in black and minority ethnic communities. The Ambassadors have tackled that over the past two years, profiling this activity, inspiring a new generation of environmental leaders and challenging our wellmeaning institutions. It is constant reminder of how complicated and multi-faceted the challenge of environmental sustainability will be. But it is also a reminder of how rewarding it is to work together to achieve it.

Waste not want not: is bin diving the answer to waste?

Dani Bass discusses the concept of ‘freeganism’ and the activity of bin diving Dani Bass Features Deputy Editor

it is important to do our bit to help combat waste, however great this may be

Bin diving is most common in pro-green groups to reduce their ecological footprint, as well as with anti-capitalists who take up the activity in protest against the modern day ‘throw-away’ approach of consumer culture.

Wayland, a third year Bristol student, said that ‘The motivation to bin dive for me is to save food waste which is a huge contribution to global warming and to save money.’

He added that ‘Bin diving is pretty hit and miss. I’ve got huge amounts of soda bread in the past and my friends once found loads of smoked salmon. The best spots are behind any big supermarket where they keep their bins.’ He did also reveal the harsher consequences of bin

clothing, technology and furniture from bins.

An American Youtuber admitted to going bin diving for cosmetic products and videoed herself one night as she fumbled through rubbish. She estimates that she has found £950 worth of cosmetics.

However, as Wayland pointed out, it is debatable whether bin diving is fully legal. As the UK law stands, once an item has been discarded, it is considered abandoned and therefore no one’s

property. Despite this, problems arise when people go bin diving on private land as this could result in prosecutions of trespassing. As well as issues with the law, bin diving raises health concerns as some fear its lack of sanitation and hygiene.

The activity of bin diving may seem a radical response to waste. However, even if we do not participate in such extreme methods, it is important to do our bit to help combat waste, however great this may be.

Epigram/ Dani Bass

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The idea of searching for your food in supermarket bins may sound highly unappealing, but ‘bin diving’ is becoming increasing popular among students. Whether it’s to help reduce waste, save money or just for the sheer thrill of it, students are sneaking into their local supermarket dumpsters in an attempt to find some freebies.

diving, stating that ‘a friend of mine has been given a criminal record due to bin diving which is ridiculous!’

Bin diving does addresses the huge issue of waste. In the UK we waste around 40% of food, that is more than 15 million tonnes a year. Due to health and insurance laws, supermarkets are forced to throw away products after their sell by date, forbidding supermarkets from distributing their left-over foods to the homeless or hungry.

A recent BBC article interviewed Birmingham students who regularly take part in bin diving.

They believe that supermarkets aren’t doing enough to combat waste and are instead overproducing and throwing away perfectly edible foods purely because they can no longer yield profit. They aim to raise awareness of the vast amount of waste as well as collaborate with redistribution organisations.

Many organisations are attempting to combat this problem. ‘Food not bombs’, an anti-hunger group, use the model of ‘bin diving’ to take food which has been discarded and give it to people in need.

The group of people who pioneered this activity of bin diving are known as Freegans. They employ strategies which aim to limit consumption and recover waste. Just as vegans refrain from eating animal products in an act of protest against animal exploitation, freegans refuse to buy anything to boycott the food industry.

If the idea of doing your weekly shop by rummaging through supermarket bins grosses you out, then maybe you can use this approach to find other, non-perishable items. Bin diving is not limited to food, many freegans collect books,

Students and pro-green groups are bin diving to help reduce waste

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Bristol: a leading University for sustainability Ollie Smith interviews the University’s Sustainability Department to find out about the work that they do and what we can do to help Ollie Smith Online Features Editor For Epigram’s green issue I had the pleasure of interviewing the university’s sustainability department to find out more about what they do and how students can become more involved in sustainability. Upon arrival I received a warm welcome from members of the team who were more than enthusiastic about discussing their work. Before long we had set up in a large office and I began to group interview James Ryle - Transport Manager -, Maev Moran Communications & Campaigns Assistant- , Rose Rooney - Waste and Circular Economy Manager-, Chris Jones - Energy Manager-, and John Brenton - Analysis Manager.

I began the interview by asking which achievements they were most proud of in the last year; naturally as each person focused on different areas they had different responses.

One given achievement was the waste recycling rate which went up last year and is now higher than the Bristol city average. 82% of all waste is reused, recycled or composted with only 1% going to landfill.

They were particularly happy with the new bus service which carried over 722,000 passengers last year and was described as a ‘big improvement‘.

From an energy and utility standpoint their achievements are numerous: in the 2017 annual report it was revealed that carbon emissions have fallen by 35% since 2005/06 which is impressive considering the university has grown by a third in that time; water consumption also fell by 28% from 2007/08.

They encourage us to get involved with societies that promote sustainability

In terms of ethics of procurement in everything the university buys they make sure they have a clear understanding of the supply chain and the ethics of things like clothing, electrical items, IT equipment and food and catering. Suppliers are asked strict questions by the university. From a transport perspective they are decreasing their footprint with only 17% of students bringing cars to the university last year compared with 27% in 2008. As a quick plug they tell me that the student travel survey will soon go out and it is important for them that as many of us as possible fill it in over the upcoming weeks.

Leading on from this survey I next asked them how students could be more involved

of engineering and computer science courses.

They also encourage students to look outside the university and get involved in the city, whether it is voluntary litter picking or other opportunities to get involved in the community.

In the past the department have run open units as part of courses to educate students and they give a lecture annually so I asked how else students could educate themselves. There is now a wealth of online training with a sustainability focus.

I next moved to asking about their plans for the future. They are particularly excited about the new campus at Temple which they want to be an exemplar sustainable campus that is car free and potentially zero carbon. All new buildings are ingrained in the carbon neutral concept they have set out. From a communications perspective, with the student population growing they hope to set more ambitious targets and involve more people. They’re also keen to talk about the Big Give which last year had its best year yet, raising over £200,000 for charity and shifting 114 tonnes of student waste. I’m also told that in the medium future IoT technology (Internet of Things) is exciting as it allows technology to be interlinked and interact, hopefully transforming the way buildings operate.

Given the vast range of areas they cover

They want to make the new Temple which campus car free and potentially carbon zero

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Ironically, the university’s research into climate change means it requires high performance computers and equipment that require large amounts of power. They stressed that it is impossible to be the absolute best in terms of sustainability due to STEM subjects that use the most energy. The fact that they do so well without infringing the university’s well-rounded subject selection is an achievement in itself I next asked if they do anything radically different to other universities. They talk a lot to other universities like UWE and Bath so there is a certain level of shared strategy. One thing they do slightly differently though is that they take on the challenge of energy by looking at the whole university as a ‘project’ rather than looking at buildings individually. Bristol has the highest proportion of heritage and listed building in the sector and combined with the large number of research labs this makes a total strategy more effective. Research requires so much energy that I was told 40% of energy goes to just 5% of the university’s total square metre area. What impressed me the most, however, was that all the university’s bought energy comes from renewable UK wind farms.

Bristol is also unique in its student focused Bristol Futures and the fact that the Green Impact Award scheme, now in its tenth year, began here and is co-run by the students union allowing students to be involved as auditors; it is now an international scheme adopted by hospitals, dentists and GP surgeries.

I asked a little more about their plans to manage carbon emissions; one of their seven key pledges

particular they wanted students to know. As well as following them on Facebook and Twitter or reading their newsletter they are keen for students to let them know their ideas and hold the university to account. They encourage us to use fewer plastics, get involved with societies that promote sustainability or doing something as simple as going for a bike ride or walk and appreciate what we have here in this ‘great city’.

“ there is so much more we can do for our sustainable future

This year in my history course one unit covered environmental history. A few years ago the department mapped the curriculum to see where in different subjects they could implement sustainable areas. They see the university as a ‘living lab’ that encourages people to get involved.

Bristol has had a professional sustainability strategy for much longer than other universities and has been regarded as leading edge during

Facebook/ Bristol University Sustainability Team

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is to be carbon neutral by 2030. This is being helped by the fact that internationally electricity is de-carbonising at a fast rate as energy becomes greener.

February is sustainability month and the Sustainability Department along with the SU have organised many events in sustainability. Maev tells me that her role as Communications & Campaigns Assistant was created for this purpose. She explains that given the student cohort changes every three to four years it is important to be as engaging as possible within a short time frame and much of this involves events and ‘engaging students on the ground’ to empower them and not ‘finger wagging’ with statistics. They like to get involved with the sustainability societies and student activities such as the SUs Zero Waste Week. They also run training as part of Sustainability Plus to provide carbon audit training and educate on things like the mechanics of how buildings operate and opportunities to reduce energy use as well as life skills going forward. Students can become more involved as auditors with the before mentioned Green Impact and Sustainable Labs.

They also sponsor student projects and allow data they’ve collected to be used for projects and are often invited to give lectures as part

I asked how well funded the department is and how committed the university was to sustainability. They told me they are very well supported financially and that managerial staff at the university are particularly knowledgeable and have embraced sustainability. Students in particular push them to do things and they welcome the involvement.

Bristol has had a professional sustainability strategy for much longer than other universities

Given the importance of sustainability I was also keen to ask them if there was anything in

many conferences.

As the team rightly pointed out to me, sustainability is an incredibly broad term and it would be impossible to cover everything they do in one interview. They stressed however that they still have so much to do. They will continue to set higher targets to achieve their goals and hold themselves to account. They stressed that the financial challenges change every year and improvements in technology constantly change the dynamic. We’ve seen this in recent year with the rise of LED lights and decline of gas (and print newspapers).

It was a pleasure to meet the team and it was clear they give total commitment to pursuing every area and strategy that will make our university more sustainable. I hope in reading this students will not only come to a greater appreciation of what they do but also realise there is so much more we can do for our sustainable future.

Epigram

26.02.2018

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Divest! Divest now! An interview with UoB’s Fossil Free Society Ellen Jones talks to Papatya O’Reilly, President of the University’s Fossil Free Society after their success in campaigning for divestment Ellen Jones Features Editor

Hi Papatya! So... tell me a bit about your society and its aims?

Why is going ‘fossil free’ such an important cause? And why should this matter to students?

How popular is the society amongst students? Do you think students engage with the cause in general?

Over a third of UK Universities have already made a divestment pledge, and there’s an organisation called People & Planet who exist purely to help student campaigners. There’s definitely a huge amount of momentum both in Bristol and in the UK more generally. This academic year, our society in Bristol have taken part in a National Day of Action with our comrades all across the UK -UCL, Cambridge, Manchester, UEA, Leeds, to name a few-; we’ve got the SU to pledge to boycott Barclays; got over 450 signatures on our petition for the University to boycott Barclays and; organised a weekend of campaign-planning workshops with students from across the SouthWest and Wales of England last November.

Throughout the UK-wide campaign, divestment wins have been achieved from the grassroots: it is us, students, who have managed to win every time. It’s incredible what can be achieved when a group of individuals stand up to the status quo and say ‘it’s time for change’.

You recently witnessed a great success in supporting the university’s divestment from fossil fuel giants.

Why was this such a success?

Yes! So the University has now moved it’s money out of companies which derive more than 5% of revenue from the extraction of thermal oil and coal from tar sands, as agreed in March 2017. This is a fantastic first step, and was achieved over tireless campaigning from Fossil Free members over the last 3 years - a petition which got 2,300 signatures; a motion passed through the University court by Green party councillor Carla Denyer and; a huge mural across the M32 reading ‘Bristol Uni, are you backing dirty energy? Divest! Divest! Divest Now!’ are just a few of the milestones along the way.

Most of that was done before I joined the society.

That being said, since the start of this academic year, we’ve been in constant communication with the University: we ensured that they stuck to their timescale, and we took action on campus to show that we still want to go further. And that last bit’s important: it’s important to emphasise that this is only a partial divestment, and that there’s still a long way to go. Like I said earlier, we’ve still got almost £700,000 in fossil fuel companies, despite the fact that the motion which passed through University court stated that the University should go fully fossil free. The board of directors have basically disregarded that decision on the bases which we think are pretty weak. I mean, the University of Edinburgh have just divested £322m from fossil fuel companies, and their fossil fuel investments were the third largest of those for all UK universities! So while partial divestment was a success, it’s definitely nowhere near our ultimate end-goal.

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all of whom have helped fund major extraction projects. In terms of global players, three of the worst are definitely ICBC, China Construction Bank, and CITIC, who are rated the ‘top’ three coal plant developer banks by banktrack.org.

Going fossil free is a moral imperative

Going fossil free is such a huge goal, it might seem too vast for individual action. How can students do their bit on a day-to-day basis to help this cause?

Definitely! I mean, until there’s a huge societal shift, there’s no way we can easily go fossil free as individuals. That being said, there’s loads that students can do towards the cause. First, you can sign our petition to get the University to Boycott Barclays. Second, you can move your money out of Barclays if you bank with them, or pledge not to bank with them till they go fossil free -if you’re

already with another bank-, then sign People & Planet’s petition. Moving beyond these, we’ve got a great document created by one of our members outlining some steps everyone can take to be more sustainable. If you wanted to get more involved with the society, you could come along to one of our events: a film screening, a direct action, a yoga get-together, banner-making session -join our Facebook group linked below.

If you wanted to be part of the campaign, you could come along to our committee meetings on Mondays at 6pm in the Multifaith Chaplaincy - they’re open to everyone, and membership will always be free.

What are your future goals as society?

Full divestment is always in our minds, so we’re hoping to have fruitful discussions with the University’s fund manager, Rathbones, later this month regarding our remaining investments in StatOil and Total. On the Divest Barclays side of things, we’re hoping to get the University to boycott them entirely: disinvite them from careers events, stop banking with them, pledge never to take out future loans with them, etcetera. The University does currently bank with Barclays, and we’re hoping they’ll move towards a more ethical bank like Triodos. We’re having another meeting with the Finance Director in March, so we’ll be sure to keep you updated on our journey.

There are loads of things students can do to help the cause

Fossil Free Society/Robin Boardman

“ It’s incredible what can be achieved when a group stands up to the status quo

Fossil Free Society are renowned for being very active in protesting the university

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Good question. Going fossil free is, firstly, a moral imperative. We have a duty to protect our planet, and the fact is that the profit-fuelled activities of a few countries, generally in the ‘Global North’, are endangering the lives of those in other countries, generally in the ‘Global South’.

In Canada and North America, for example, indigenous communities are having their arable land destroyed by pipeline leaks; their water tainted; their lives - as they knew it - changed for the worse. But going fossil free is no longer just a moral imperative: it’s also an economic imperative. No shale company has made positive cash in years, and fossil fuels aren’t economically fruitful investments when we know that, to keep to the Paris Agreement, new fossil fuel infrastructure must not be built. Meanwhile, the price of renewables is dropping rapidly. It’s not sustainable to continue investing in a dying industry. As students, we have the power to get our voices heard. This is our future, and we need to make sure there’s a future to live for. We have a voice over our University’s finances; we have a right to civil disobedience; we have to fight, and we will win.

Epigram / SallyO’Reilly Patterson Fossil Free Society/ Papatya

Sure, so our society is part of a global movement to get institutions to move their money out of fossil fuels. This goes beyond their direct investments in the dirty industry though: it’s about making sure they cut off all ties with them, direct and indirect. With that long-term goal in mind, our society’s more immediate aims are, on the one hand, to get the University to move the remaining ~£700,000 it has in StatOil and Total and pledge to have a fully fossil free endowment fund; on the other hand, to boycott Barclays, one of the biggest investors in fossil fuel infrastructure across the globe.

You have a ‘Divest Barclays’ initiative in the pipeline. What other businesses do you feel project a negative message and should be discouraged from fossil-fuel supporting activities?

Good question. Fossil fuel finance is huge, and Barclays are only one of the worst UK banks.

There’s also HSBC, Lloyds, RBS, and Santander -

Fossil Free Society try to have a strong presence on campus

Epigram 26.02.2018

@epigramcomment Editor: Ed Southgate

Deputy Editor: Jake Porter

Online Editor: Cameron Scheijde

@ed_southgate comment@epigram.org.uk

@porterjake

@camscheijde

Comment

Epigram Comment is the home of the student voice. The opinions expressed here are from individual students with an individual perspective. As an independent newspaper, we do not affiliate or associate ourselves with any ones view, but aim to publish all views of the student body as and when they come to us. If you would like to respond with an opposing point of view in a subsequent issue, please contact the Editors.

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Phoebe Chase explores Bristol’s green credentials, questioning whether we could do more as a city to combat climate change Phoebe Chase First Year, Archaeology & Anthropology Bristol is a city beloved by all its residents, and its many unique quirks set it apart from the many less impressive cities in the UK - *cough* Birmingham *cough*. Bristol’s most important feature is - in my opinion - the city ‘poo bus’, that runs entirely on biomethane gas, fuelled by human and household waste. On its side is plastered a delightful piece depicting imaginary residents of Bristol, who appear to be thoroughly enjoying themselves while sitting on their respective toilets.

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Is a poo bus sufficient to transform our city?

Bristol is undeniably a ‘green’ city. However, in this period of increasing climate change, are we doing enough to be as environmentally friendly as possible? Is a poo bus sufficient to transform our city and reduce our carbon emissions?

According to The Guardian, Bristol is the 3rd greenest city in the UK, just behind Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Additionally, Bristol Green Week is returning this June. Events and talks to raise awareness suggests that Bristol is pushing again to broadcast itself as a progressive, environmentally conscious capital, as it has been viewed in past years.

Since 2010 the majority of winners of the European Green Capital Award have been cities in either Germany or Scandinavia; in 2015 Bristol claimed the prize as Europe’s Greenest capital, marking it as the only UK city to achieve this. The requirements, according to the awards website, are: ‘1. Demonstrate a well-established record of achieving high environmental standards 2. Commit to ongoing and ambitious goals for further environmental improvement and sustainable development 3. Be a role model – part of an ever growing group of cities that aim to inspire and promote best practices to all European cities.’

Since then, however, Bristol seems to have failed to keep up with any ambitious goals as stated in the requirements, and slipped off the map slightly in establishing itself as a green pioneer. With Bristol Green Week put on hold in 2017, it appears that the city could be doing more to create a less polluted, safer environment for its population.

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What the #editors are saying...

Bristol as ‘green’ as reputation suggests?

The University of Bristol has been doing well in taking steps to be more green

The University of Bristol has been doing well in taking steps to be more green. Robert Kerse, Chief Financial Officer at the University of Bristol, announced earlier this month that the university has achieved its goal ‘to end investment in companies that derive more than five per cent of their turnover from the extraction of thermal coal or oil and gas

‘Bristol University’s system is heavily flawed, and is shameful, and it needs to change’.

The Bio-Bus: thoughsupport many poo-pooed its conception, it isitnow Bristol’s number two bus of choice

from tar sands by January 2018.’

This is a grand victory for the university, as is their pledge to aim to become carbon neutral by 2030. The Green Impact Scheme seems also to be a successful way of achieving their goals. The scheme is for staff and students to work in teams to ‘reduce our collective environmental impact’ during their time at university. The object of the sustainability department is also to provide services to reduce excess on energy, water, transport and waste. The University of Bristol website provides large amounts of information on sustainability and reducing impact on the environment, if you know where to look for it.

Knowing where to look for this information is the issue. The university is not doing enough to make news on these issues readily available to its students.

Nowhere around lecture halls or in study spaces have I seen posters or notices spreading awareness about the Green Impact Scheme, nor stating the goals of the sustainability office. Only one article in Epigram has been published on the university’s successful divestment from fossil fuel giants, and I can find no other information that has been circulated about it.

I write for Epigram and yet I did not see this article until it was sent to me by an editor. If one doesn’t religiously read the student paper, how can one find out about important changes implemented at our university that will either exacerbate or reduce our impact on the environment?

Having spoken to fellow students about what they know of what the university is doing to help the environment, a concerning amount of people knew next to nothing. Bristol is definitely on the right track in reducing its carbon footprint, but they are failing at publicising these achievements. Epigram’s green issue is a good start. However, climate change and the concerns around it is a constant and ongoing issue, not something we can write off as done and dusted after one publication. It is difficult to tell whether

FlickrEpigram / firstbusphotos / Harry Coke

Britain Elects, a poll aggregation service, recently released the results from a YouGov poll that showed support for bringing back compulsory military service for young people. Within the demographics of the survey, however, a very different picture can be observed: support from 18-24 yearolds lies at a paltry 10 per cent, whereas the over-65s are a stonking 74 per cent in favour. How considerate of the geriatrics to be so concerned about our wellbeing; the snowflake generation is in dire need of the discipline, responsibility and threat of death that the military can offer. Quite apart from the questionable worth that service in the military might bring, I find it telling that a significant proportion of the over-65s weren’t even alive or of age when national service was still enforced in the UK. The jingoistic nature of the older generation - as demonstrated by the results of this poll - is something we should treat with distrust and despair. If our elders think killing children and destabilising the Middle East is such a character-building pursuit, I suggest that they all sign up themselves and leave us alone.

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A jibe from Jake...

students are merely unaware of the steps that are being/should be taken to combat climate change in Bristol, or whether they just don’t care. Regardless, they should be given the chance to understand.

It is the job of those with a platform to make others aware of these issues

It is the job of those with a platform to make others aware of these issues and what can be done to improve them, as well as give them the opportunity to become more involved in making the university greener. More information from the university on an easily accessible level would surely help with this problem. If the Marxist Student Federation can religiously stick flyers to every available surface each week than so can others. Posters around our halls and lecture theatres, or emails explaining current events and issues that need addressing would be an appropriate start in encouraging more students to become involved in helping our university reduce its carbon footprint. For some, spreading awareness about pollution and climate change is a passion and hobby. For many others, it takes more encouragement to participate in these activities.

Fighting climate change in our everyday lives - even through small acts that reduce our impact on the earth - should not just be a hobby for some. It should be something that we all invest in.

Unfortunately we all live on the same earth. This means some effort should probably be put in by all.

As some people, such as one whose name sounds like Ronald Stump, aren’t putting in anything at all, it is up to the rest of us to make up for his many, many, many shortcomings.

Epigram

26.02.2017

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Political round-up World politics: Florida shooting sparks further debate on gun-laws in the US UK politics: Theresa May warned by Ruth Davidson that she would fight a ‘no deal’ Brexit Bristol/ student politics: Protestors met outside Jacob Rees-Mogg’s talk at UoB, in which he stressed the importance of individual liberty (See page 4)

A response to the round-up...

The Jacob Rees-Mogg protest can be challenged but not condemned Ed Southgate defends the act of protest as a necessary democratic tool Ed Southgate Comment Editor It has been just over half a year since I took over as Comment Editor, so my name may be known to our readers. I am quite certain, however, that I am not as known for my role as Social Secretary for the Bristol University Conservative Association (BUCA) for that same length of time.

It is that role from which I wish to speak today, regarding the protest against Jacob Rees-Mogg when he visited the University of Bristol.

In short, the protest was a positive display of how our democracy should work.

This may sound surprising coming from a ‘Tory scum’; why would I support a group of students and members of the Bristol community shouting against a prominent politician who we invited here to speak? Perhaps more surprising is that the content of Rees-Mogg’s talk cemented my support of the protest.

Well, it is less that I support them, but rather that I support their right to protest. I celebrate that they capitalised on this vital democratic tool to express their point of view towards a Member of Parliament - a position which must always be aware of those who disagree with them.

In an age of increasing political sensitivity, it is easy to dismiss any demonstration against a viewpoint with which you align - not that I align with every view Rees-Mogg holds - as unnecessary, foolish, over the top.

A response to the news...

But of every protest we must ask what, besides perhaps the content, can we fault about it? In this case, there is very little. It was entirely peaceful and legal and, for that, the group deserves our respect and our ears.

Besides, with great thanks to the University security and police presence, there was a clear separation between protestors and attendees queuing to enter the venue, meaning that any chance of violence was immediately dissolved.

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The peaceful protest outside Rees-Mogg’s talk at the University of Bristol puts to shame the embarrassing efforts of the thugs at UWE That is not to say that there was a high chance of violence in the first place. We need only look at the description of the protest’s Facebook event page, which clearly states that ‘of course, he has the right to speak. But we have the right to show that we’re not happy with him’.

It is clear that the protestors had little or no intention of causing physical harm, and this translated in how they conducted themselves on the day.

The peaceful protest outside Jacob Rees-Mogg’s talk at the University of Bristol puts to shame

the undemocratic, unproductive, and frankly embarrassing efforts of the thugs at UWE. By standing outside, respecting both the law as well as the invitation that had been extended to Jacob Rees-Mogg, the protestors put themselves in a far more respectable position and showed exactly how to implement their democratic opportunity in an effective way.

Of course, I use the word ‘effective’ in a loose sense; it was effective not because they convinced me of their view, but in that we could not avoid noticing them, and consequently could not avoid hearing them. They behaved in no way that would prompt us to dismiss them, such as the unacceptably violent scenes at the UWE campus.

Indeed, following the UWE outbreak, the nation were more interested in the thugs, forgetting the desire to scrutinise Rees-Mogg’s views. Surely my opponents primary aim is to change my mind; in that respect, the UWE thugs had failed before they had begun.

This nicely links with what was at the core of Rees-Mogg’s talk; the idea that freedom of speech is essential to our democracy, but also that democracy is essential to our freedom of speech. With Rees-Mogg’s words in mind, I can only cement my initial backing of the protestor’s peaceful presence outside of the Priory Road Complex. Their democratic methods meant that both sides of the argument got heard by attendees that night, not just one, and that is surely the fundamental principle of democracy.

To be an environmentalist is to not take recreational drugs

Daniel Burkitt urges students to think about the environment ramifications of recreational drug-use Daniel Burkitt Third Year, English Perhaps the most blatant hypocrisy evident at the University of Bristol is the widespread concern with environmentalism coupled with rampant recreational drug use.

An Epigram survey conducted two years ago revealed that 77 per cent of Bristol students have taken illegal drugs for recreational purposes and a quarter of the students ‘have felt pressured into taking drugs’. A more recent survey conducted by The Tab claims that as much as 84 per cent of the Bristol student body have taken recreational drugs, one of the highest rates for any university in the country. Whatever the true figure, it is clear that recreational drug use is widespread.

The rise of conscious consumerism is undoubtedly a positive force and one that sees many of us adopting spending habits that we consider to be more ethically and environmentally sound; choosing that packet of veggie sausages instead of their juicy pork counterparts, or boycotting clothing brands who use exploitative sweat shop labour. We are able to use our power as consumers to indicate and popularise a desire for more sustainable products.

are only hurting themselves then that is their choice and their prerogative’ is a popular stance. It is one that, with justification, often advocates the decriminalisation of possessing drugs or legalising drugs entirely.

The only problem with this is that Fairtrade, eco-friendly drugs – Class A drugs in particular – do not exist. Reminding ourselves of this is important and necessary.

The environmental impact – primarily through deforestation – of manufacturing cocaine and ecstasy has been widely documented. Thousands of hectares of rainforest in Latin America are destroyed to cultivate the coca plant required to produce cocaine, while 500,000 wild trees are torn down annually in the Cambodian rainforest in order to extract the sassafras oil used to produce MDMA. This is not to mention the humanitarian impact of drug supply chains at every stage of their journey from production to being in the consumer’s hands.

Cutting down or stopping recreational drug use and reminding ourselves of the consequences of this is a step Bristol students can take towards doing more for the environment.

Our right to personal pleasure should not supersede our obligation to behave in a more ethical and environmentally-friendly way.

In this case, being more ethical just means drinking several pints of local ale next time you feel the need to ease the pain of existence rather than picking up whatever you might normally be tempted to otherwise.

Read the original survey and news story on page 4

Twitter / @dunos

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If we genuinely want to do more to help the environment, we need to be more willing to sacrifice personal pleasure

In a recent Epigram survey, when asked about making ‘Green Choices’ – choosing to buy and do things that help the environment – 64.6 per cent of the respondents said that they altered their spending habits in order to make them more environmentally-friendly. Of those that made these Green Choices, 92.5 per cent did so often or sometimes, and only 7.5 per cent did so infrequently or never.

Personal desire to help the environment was by far the biggest factor persuading people to make these environmentally-friendly choices, as 90 per cent of respondents cited this as their motivation. Moreover, the vast majority of these students - 87.6 per cent - also felt they would like to do more for the environment, whilst almost two thirds consider themselves to be environmentalists.

However, the survey also revealed that when it came to sacrificing personal enjoyment in order to be more environmentally-friendly the respondents were far more reluctant as it was more evenly split between those who do so sometimes or often - 50.3 per cent the former; 6.2 per cent the later - and those who did so infrequently or never - 33.5 percent; 9.9 percent the later.

If we genuinely want to do more to help the environment, we need to be more willing to sacrifice personal pleasure. Sacrificing recreational drug use must be considered.

When it comes to recreational drug use, the user’s concern is often squarely focused on the possible negative effects this will have on them as an individual. As it is a personal risk – both in terms of legality and health – the wider implications appear to be forgotten.

The argument that ‘if recreational drug users

Crack Alley is infamous in Bristol for its drugs supply; is it time to put the environment first?

Epigram

26.02.2017

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Epigram / Anonymous

Bristol Zoo: the best of a bad bunch Lily Hammond argues that Zoos in their current form are unethical, critiquing their nature as an enterprise

Bristol Zoo, as the fifth oldest in the world, is undoubtedly a landmark for the city. Although relatively small in location, with thousands of species in the enclosure, Bristol zoo proves to be an attraction to many, having seen over 90 million visitors since it first opened in 1836.

However, the concept of a zoo is something that I find difficult to come to terms with. In the 21st century where animal welfare is at the forefront of people’s lives - evidenced through the surge in popularity of lifestyle changes such as boycotting products tested on animals, as well as the increase in vegetarian and vegan lifestyles - surely there is no longer a place for zoos. Conceptually, zoos go against a lot of what I and many people stand for: captivity of animals for human entertainment, the relative exploitation of animals for commercial purposes, and the arrogance of humanity in declaring what is sufficient for another animal’s quality of life. And yet, the popularity of zoos remains at a constant.

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Lily Hammond Deputy Letters Editor

Surely there is no longer a place for zoos

Epigram / Lily Hammond

Monkey business: can zoos be ethical?

Now I do understand why this is. Zoos provide a point of access to the exotic without the trouble or expense of leaving the city that you live in.

Gorillas, penguins, lions and ring-tailed lemurs, are all creatures that we do not come into regular occurrence with on the daily and would, most probably, never see in their natural habitat. Zoos educate people on the huge variety of beautiful and unique species on the planet and this holistic knowledge of life in this world rather than the anthropocentric mindset we tend to fall into, can’t be a bad thing.

However, what I find so conflicting about

zoos is that I do not feel like they really admit to what they are. Bristol Zoological Gardens is a commercial business. The people that work there are paid to do so. Animals are shifted and exchanged through various institutions and efficiency is a priority, as with any business. Every day there is a margin that needs to be met. And yet, somehow, walking around the zoo you are made to feel like you are somehow personally helping the animals in captivity.

Take Valentine’s Day for instance, Bristol Zoo’s festive event was the screening of Dirty Dancing and Romeo and Juliet in their ‘intimate indoor cinema’ - and a return ticket to Bristol zoo was thrown into the package. If this does not scream capitalist enterprise to you, then I do not know what does. In 2016, Bristol zoo also staged it’s ‘Big Night Out’, an event that involved 1400 adults, stag and hen does included, drinking lager and JD & coke in an area supposedly for the conservation and protection of many endangered animals. This occurred even after London Zoo stopped alcoholfuelled events in 2014, after a man poured a beer over a tiger and another jumped into a penguin enclosure. To suggest that zoos are ‘all about the animals’ is just false.

For some reason - and one that I am not too sure I understand - there is a real attraction that the human race has to zoos. It must be the element of the unknown. What else could justify paying money just to drink or watch a film next to a cage of animals. The BBC coverage of the 180year anniversary of Bristol Zoo furthered this, with videos of Rosie, an elephant originally taken from the wild to be a circus elephant, giving rides to children throughout the park. Watching the videos, suggests a real feeling of nostalgia and a positive sentiment as to the ongoing popularity

of zoos which I think might be misplaced. This is also the case with Alfred the gorilla - an acclaimed icon of Bristol zoo, treasured my many - who was an animal that did not leave his enclosure for 15 years. His taxidermic form is now in Bristol City Museum and Art Gallery for all to see. A bit disturbing if you ask me.

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Bristol Zoo are responsible for saving 175 species from extinction, which must be viewed as a positive

Now I am not saying that it’s all a complete scam. Bristol Zoological Gardens Ltd, the company that owns and runs Bristol zoo, is a registered conservation and education charity that puts money into conservation projects around the world. There can also be little doubt that animals in captivity have a much better chance of surviving and reproducing which in turn protects the species as a whole. Bristol Zoo are responsible for saving 175 species from extinction which must be viewed as a positive.

They also provide access for students, especially those studying Biology and Zoology, to get more hands-on experience.

However, I cannot help but question how much of the money that Bristol Zoo makes is put directly back into conservation projects. Maybe I am just a pessimist about the whole situation.

But all I know for sure is that zoos are not going anywhere: they make way too much money.

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University of Bristol Sponsored Content

Epigram

26.02.2018

Science & Tech

@EpigramSciTech Editor: Emma Isle Online Editor: Bethany Harris

Deputy Editor: Oliver Cohen scienceandtech@epigram.org.uk

Our clothes might be clean but our rivers aren’t Valli McAdam highlights the impact of laundry detergents on the environment Valli McAdam Second Year, Chemistry

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ban on foaming surfactants - contrary to popular belief, foam actually reduces washing efficiency, as foaming causes water to mix with air rather than with grease.

There have been movements towards the production of more biodegradable detergents in an attempt to uphold these environmental standards. However, there are often problems with reproducing the outside conditions inside the laboratory, so there is lots of room for improvement.

Another challenge faced by scientists is replacing the chemicals that are bad for the environment e.g. phosphates, with alternative substances. These must not cause health problems and should actually benefit the environment as well as working effectively in detergents.

But what can I do? How can I help when my clothes need washing? It’s all about making the small changes in our own homes; every little helps. For example, a good place to start would be

Epigram/ Imogen Robertson

There have been movements towards the production of more biodegradable detergents.

Flickr / sue seecof

You would need to be living under a rock not to have seen or heard about the internet’s most terrifying and stupid craze - ‘eating’ Tide Pods. A worryingly large number of people have been taking to social media to video themselves having a taste of some of the toxic chemicals that are inside Tide Pods. But it doesn’t take a genius to understand that, as tasty as they might look, the chemicals within have the power to kill you. This intriguing yet ridiculous fashion is however, in most cases, a complete fad. Most of the people stupid enough to put these chemicals in their mouths are at least spitting them out - thank god. With the exception of JR, a 17-year-old from the US who was just moments away from death after corroding his oesophagus and burning his stomach, because he decided it would be a good idea to swallow the stuff. Although he survived, he will have to live with the long-lasting damage.

But if this is the consequence that consuming such powerful chemicals has on our own bodies, it poses the question: are these detergents doing similar damage to our environment? It is inevitable that after passing through our sewers, these chemicals will eventually find their way to streams and other

natural water bodies.

One of the huge problems caused by our large-scale use of laundry detergents is the eutrophication of rivers. The phosphorus and nitrogen-containing compounds in detergents collect in rivers and, although this enables increased growth of aquatic plants, it also leads to increased oxygen consumption when these plants die and decompose. Without sufficient oxygen, fish and aquatic organisms die. This isn’t the only way that detergents disrupt our aquatic organisms - the surfactants present in detergents also affect the natural defences of these organisms leaving them vulnerable to disease as they’re unable to defend themselves against pathogens. These surfactants, such as ethylene glycol, also disrupt the hormonal system of aquatic animals which is likely to affect their reproduction and many other hormonecontrolled systems in the body. This is all without even considering the severe environmental problems caused by the production and disposal of packaging and the transportation of these detergents from factories to shops.

The good news is that EU rules have improved considerably over the last 40 years. The updated laws insist on enhanced biodegradability requirements and facilities for placing biodegradable products on the market. They also call for the treatment of waste water and a

Laundry detergents have been proven to cause problems such as the reduction of oxygen in rivers, causing fish and aquatic organisms to die

ensuring you don’t use more than the recommended amount of detergent - or even better, use less! Companies selling detergents are out to make money so they’re likely to recommend a larger amount than is perhaps necessary. As well as our fish, cutting down will also help save the pennies. Another top tip is to keep your eyes peeled for eco-friendly laundry detergents - there are more choices available than you might think.

Molly Suds and Biokleen are just two of the options available, both of which were given an A-grade by the Environmental Working Group. Finally, a simple change we can all make is only washing things that really need it - I’m not saying you shouldn’t wash the top you wore after a heavy night in Lakota, but wearing the same pair of jeans a couple of days in a row hopefully won’t cause too many complaints.

Can we keep our planet Blue?

Imogen Robertson discusses the huge problem we are currently facing with plastic pollution the shelf life of perishable products.

Since it was first mass produced in the 1940s, it has been integrated into almost every industry - so swiftly, in fact, that we have woken up to the repercussions in a world where there is no avoiding it.

Unlike buying organic dairy or Fairtrade coffee, I cannot choose to buy a bag of pasta in Sainsbury’s or Tesco that is not in a plastic packet. Nor can I buy loose spinach leaves. Or a bamboo toothbrush.

There needs to be a radical shift in the materials supermarkets use for their products and packaging, and while I firmly believe that the forces stocking the shelves have a fundamental duty to initiate the leap, this urgent transition will not occur at a fast enough rate unless there is considerable pressure from the consumers.

“ With our cumulative wallets we dictate the future of the Earth

The cumulative effect of our wallets can dictate the future of the Earth, and for this reason we must ensure that our distracted eyes and hurried hands do not rest on products that, when they eventually leave our homes in big black bags, play a part in the demise of the environment. Shopping bags are a place to start - fold-away reusable bags can be

Epigram/ Imogen Robertson

The 21st century, as with every century since the dawn of society, is awash with a plethora of human conflict and political struggles. However, we are now faced with a problem that the battling cavemen could never have anticipated – one on a scale that transcends the human concepts of economy, geographical borders and government. That problem is plastic pollution, and it is one that has the potential to put the entire natural world out of business unless we each pull our weight to turn the situation around.

Public awareness about the horrendous effect of plastic pollution on our environment is on the rise. We can no longer turn a blind eye towards the impact that non-biodegradable human waste is having on the planet – it’s literally everywhere: in the news, countless documentaries, and also our everyday lives. Bottles and sandwich bags line the edges of rivers, tiny coloured pellets mimic grains of sand on the beach, and dogs swallow shards of plastic containers.

It is common knowledge that a plastic bottle can take 500 years to biodegrade, yet it is difficult to make the link between our purchases and the rubbish floating in Blue Planet’s oceans. The ease with which we humans are able to neglect individual responsibility, combined with the refusal of product industries such as supermarkets to rigorously regulate what

they stock, is leading the human race swiftly down the path of self-destruction.

Plastic harms the environment - and subsequently us - in multiple ways. The most conspicuous effect is the visible litter that is killing animals worldwide, but the impact extends far beyond turtles being drowned and seagulls choking on toothbrushes. Most plastic is manufactured using chemicals derived from fossil fuels, the burning of which releases toxic pollutants into the air.

Breathing these in can cause an array of serious health problems including cancer. Burning plastic also produces fumes. It doesn’t stop there: chemicals bleed from the contents of landfills buried deep within the soil. They seep into groundwater then trickle into rivers and pour into the oceans, pervading every branch of nature as they go, from the water we drink to the stomachs of deep sea creatures. We learned from Blue Planet II that bioaccumulation has led to dolphins inadvertently poisoning their calves through their contaminated milk.

Photodegradation due to light exposure breaks plastic down into toxic particles, a process that is not reserved solely for the outdoors. How long has your water bottle been sitting on the windowsill? With the amount of plastic that we produce and discard on a daily basis, the damage that we are causing is immeasurable.

Even so, the question of why supermarkets use plastic in the first place is not difficult to answer. It is cheap, durable, easy to produce, and can increase

Flickr / Núcleo Editorial

Imogen Robertson Second Year, Biochemistry

Plastic pollution poses a huge threat to both animals and plants alike

purchased in most supermarkets. If you don’t have a local grocery store, you can still avoid choosing packaged vegetables in the supermarket. A glass bottle of olive oil may be slightly more expensive but at least it can be recycled. Explore local businesses – my housemate recently introduced me to a great shop on Gloucester Road called Scoopaway where you can bring your own containers to fill up from huge barrels of dry foods such as sugar, flour, spices, nuts and pasta. If we make conscious decisions about what

we buy and where we buy it from, we can shift the consumer market.

The truth is that we all live on the same planet, and without clean water, unpolluted air and thriving ecosystems, we will go down with it. But, just as the accumulation of individual sandwich bags can saturate an ocean, so can our actions as individuals be combined to create impact enough to mend our mess. Think about where you spend your money – cast your vote to save our home.

Epigram 26.02.2018

Vilhelmiina Haavisto First Year Biology

This Month in Enviromental Science

Flickr / Björn S...

Researchers at the US Department of Energy reported in Nature Energy that they have made a breakthrough in creating a highly efficient and environmentally stable solar cell using perovskite, a mineral made of calcium titanate. Perovskite is able to convert 23% of absorbed sunlight into electricity, and is a promising solar technology.

Solar cells actually consist of multiple layers, which all have an impact on the cell’s overall stability. The layers surrounding the perovskite appears to be the main hurdle for researchers to overcome, as they still require work to increase the overall durability of the cells. The researchers replaced what they perceived as the ‘weakest link’ in traditional perovskite cells with a molecule called EH44, and this cell was able to generate power continuously over a 1000-hour testing period. The researchers believe that this is another step towards achieving the eventual commercial launch of this emerging technology.

Flickr / Mike Beauregard

Polar bear populations in the Arctic are often used as an indicator of the progress of climate change.

Ice is vital to their hunting tactics, but is disappearing fast along with their prey.

Biologists at the US Geological Survey fitted nine females with camera collars, and found that the bears’ metabolic rate is actually 1.6 times faster than previously thought.

The bears are processing the food they consume faster, and so require more to maintain a healthy weight; the biologists estimated their daily caloric intake for weight maintenance to be around 16,400kcal, approximately eight times what humans need in a day.

However, even this is not enough when the bears need to put on extra weight for springtime.

Their speedy metabolism combined with a dwindling supply of prey and hunting grounds is likely to further endanger these already vulnerable hunters.

Super Solar Power

Flickr / AJC1

Flickr / Scott Robinson

Flickr / flickrfavorites

Bear-sized Appetite

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Brilliant Bacteria

Permafrost Problems

Bacteria living in extremely cold environments might be the key to future innovations in sustainable biotechnology.

These bacteria secrete molecules called biosurfactants, which allow them to break down complex molecules into easily-processed droplets, even at low temperatures. Amedea Perfumo and her colleagues from GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences have recently reviewed the possible biotechnological uses of biosurfactants. For example, they might be added to biofuels, which tend to thicken in colder temperatures.

The biosurfactants could help the fuel maintain its viscosity, which will allow for wider implementation of the alreadyexisting green technology. Similarly, their addition to washing powders may make it possible for us to reduce washing temperatures without compromising on clean clothes. Best of all, biosurfactants can be produced from common waste products such as cooking oils, and pose no threat to the environment when washed away.

A paper published in Geophysical Research Letters reported that Arctic permafrost contains more mercury than previously thought.

Permafrost is frozen rock, soil or sediment that has not thawed in at least the last two years – and according to Paul Shuster, one of the paper’s authors, it is holding around 23 Olympic-sized swimming pools’ worth of mercury.

However, with ever-increasing global temperatures, the mercury will not stay locked there forever. Though Shuster and his team are unable to pinpoint specific consequences and their timings, it is likely that at least a portion of the mercury will be released from thawing ice.

From there, it could enter the global marine system and quickly become a global, ecosystem-level problem.

Fish are particularly susceptible as mercury accumulates in them, which in turn is problematic for human consumption due to mercury’s high toxicity.

Moss Musings Many plants that are grown commercially in greenhouses are actually grown without soil. Instead, a growth media known as stonewool is widely used. Though it is effective, stonewool requires a lot of water and is not easily recycled.

Recently though, Finnish substrate manufacturer Novarbo launched their stonewool-alternative, ‘Mosswool’, to a few ‘pilot’ consumers.

Mosswool is made of living moss, and comes in large slabs. Moss retains water much better than stonewool, so less watering of plants is required which cuts farmers’ costs. It is also fully compostable.

Novarbo have been researching mossbased alternatives for around ten years, and teamed up with EcoMoss, another Finnish company, to harvest the living moss and produce the slabs. Mosswool’s commercial launch is currently Novarbo’s top priority, and they plan to have their first production plant up and running by the end of 2018.

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Emma Isle... discuses the potential impact of bioenergy plantations on climate change

Rowan Fenelon.. tells us about possible further damage to the ozone layer

Flickr / thellr

Epigram

26.02.2018

Letters

@EpigramLetters

Editor: Ellie Chesshire

Deputy Editor: Lily Hammond

letters@epigram.org.uk

Dear students who want to be greener

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It’s not how we dispose of our waste, it’s reducing the amount of it all together

Luckily, in 1996, John Tierney, a writer for the New York Times, published a paper in which he concluded that recycling may be ‘the most wasteful activity in modern America’. He explained that recycling can be many times costlier than sending waste to landfill, and often has very little environmental impact. Tierney stresses that modern society’s biggest issue is the amount we consume in the first place. In other words, it’s not how we

Flickr / Special Collections Toronto /Public Unsplash JustinLibrary Luebke

Climate change seems to be a problem that, even if you tried, could not be better designed to inspire human apathy. The effects will only be felt in the distant future, they’ll probably happen to other people before they happen to us and anything we do will only act as a drop in the ocean. For students especially, remembering which coloured recycling your polystyrene box from Jason’s is meant to go in at 3 in the morning, or convincing your flatmates that a compost heap really is the only place for their week-old Domino’s, can be hard.

It’s up to us to make the little changes that will save our environment.

dispose of our waste, it’s reducing the amount of it all together.

Here are five (hopefully) easy ways of reducing the amount you waste, which can help make a difference without requiring much effort at all: 1.

Online shop!

As if you needed another reason to fill up your Missguided basket, but a study done by Pittsburgh’s Carnegie Mellon University has found that online shopping can use up to 30% less energy than traditional shopping methods.

This is mainly due to the fuel efficiency of one vehicle delivering many items

over each customer making their own trip to the shop.

2.

Get a BHA-free water bottle.

It takes three litres of water and a quarter of a litre of oil to produce a onelitre bottle of water, leading to 17 million barrels of oil being used each year in the production of disposable water bottles.

Whether you’ve been needing an excuse to buy a Love Island customised bottle, or you need a motivational quote to get you through your legs, bums and tums session, grab one of these and remember to take it everywhere!

3.

Buy in bulk If you want to help the environment and are already dangerously approaching your overdraft this term, buying in bulk is a great way to cut down on plastic packaging and save money at the same time. So if you’re living off pasta five nights a week, you can buy larger bags which are not only cheaper per gram, but also have far less packaging than the equivalent amount in several smaller bags. Bonus student and helping-the-environment points if you also end up having plain pasta most of the time because you forget to buy sauce.

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Cait Rhodes Second Year, Economics

4.

Travel mugs.

If coffee is all that gets you through the day at uni, then a travel mug is another great way to save money and to help the environment. Pret, Costa and Greggs all offer discounts on cups of coffee if you bring your own reusable cup in (50p, 25p and 20p respectively).

Source Café on campus also offer discounts, meaning if you drink enough coffee you could save the cost of the cup in a few weeks - and help the environment at the same time.

Who can actually say they ever measure out the right amount of pasta for themselves?

5.

Have friends over for dinner.

Who can actually say they ever measure out the right amount of pasta for themselves? How many times have you thrown out a meal you made in bulk to have every day in a week and then got bored of it? Cooking for one is often very wasteful, so cooking meals as a house or inviting friends over for dinner can be a great way to reduce your waste without having to eat spaghetti bolognese with a family-of-four portion of pasta every night for a week.

These are just a few of the many ways you can go greener in your university life and save a few pounds as well!

Dear all students everywhere

James Hancock First Year, Computer Science and Innovation

“

A large percentage of students are going through the same sub-par ‘golden university years’ as you

And then there’s other universities - not just UWE, but also Harvard, Hong Kong, or Helsinki, or any one of the thousands of universities out there,

filled with students like us in similar situations, whether better or worse.

We all face a unique situation, but it’s important to remember that we are certainly not alone in having similar issues. You are not alone, there are many other people like you.

We can assume everyone is struggling with issues that they hide from outsiders with social masks, only to be shared with close friends or family, if at all. If we often compare ourselves to fellow students based on our understanding of who they are, which is almost entirely their social masks, we really aren’t making a fair comparison. You understand the darkest secrets and greatest hopes of your heart - and you’re comparing yourself with someone who seemed nice from a few lines of conversation and is laughing at a joke.

We compare ourselves with others mostly indirectly, in thoughts that drift though our head commenting on the style of a person’s clothes, or perhaps surprise at the amount of work they have done, and then thinking about how well you are standing relative to them. It would serve us well to be more conscious of our subtle comparisons, to remind ourselves that we don’t know what we are comparing ourselves to.

As many experiments have shown, even though we compare ourselves to others, we actually don’t care that much about other people. We are so focused on whether we fit in, whether what we are saying and/or how we are behaving is acceptable, that other people and their actions are quickly disregarded in social situations. We intensely exaggerate to ourselves how much other people are viewing and scrutinising our actions, when in reality no-one cares.

No one cares about minor mistakes - and if they notice, they will most likely forget within the moment passing.

This is a liberating and difficult idea to

come to terms with but, honestly, when did you last spend a social encounter scrutinising another person’s actions?

You really don’t care that much about other people, and thankfully, the feeling is mutual.

What you should take out of this letter is that the ‘golden years’ view of university life combined with flawed self comparison with others leads to unrealistic expectations about what you should be. Enjoyment of university is much more likely to be found by forgetting about what other people are doing, or whether you are doing it right, and focusing on what matters to you.

Epigram / Lily Hammond

Not everybody is going to have an amazing time throughout university, even if you were promised by your careers advisor that it would be ‘the best time of your life’. Unless you’re one of the lucky ones, you’ve probably experienced this first hand for yourself.

You look around at everyone else, who seem to be having a much better time than you, enjoying partying, getting work done, having relationships and gliding past anything else you might stress about.

You don’t see or hear much of other people’s problems, as personal issues are hardly ever openly discussed, so you get more worried that something is wrong with you. The human brain is excellent at adapting to your chief worries to support this - if being sociable is an issue, when you see other people laughing and chatting together, that makes you feel lonelier and reinforces the thought that you aren’t sociable enough. Such a vicious cycle applies with many other issues, with varying extents.

However, you have to remember that a large percentage of students are going through the same sub-par ‘golden university years’ experience as you, hiding their fears, stresses and pain behind their social masks. It is very much true that there is a spectrum of happiness, where some people are notably happier or more content than others, but the key fact to remember is that no one is perfect nor happy all the time, no matter what outward appearances might show. What is more, is that with a student population of 22,278 at University of Bristol, there are undoubtedly many students out there facing down very similar problems to you.

What people choose to show on social media isn’t always reflective of their feelings.

Living Wellbeing Food Style Travel

Epigram / Noa Leach

Green Bristol at Abbots Pool

Editor Jordan Barker

18

Online Editor Josie Roberts

Deputy Editor

26.02.2018

Emily Hayman

living@epigram.org.uk

@e2living

Epigram Living Section 2017/18

Hayman’s guide to being a Green Bean Deputy Living Editor Emily Hayman stresses the importance of being an environmentally conscientious student

”

”

Similarly, the coffee cups available when you buy a take-away coffee are rarely recyclable. They have a plastic layer around them to stop them leaking, and the vegeware ones, which are used in the numerous source cafes we have around campus, have to end up in the right bin in order to ensure successful recycling, which they usually don’t.

In fact, Wills Memorial building doesn’t even have any of these correct bins at all, alongside lots of the main libraries. Consequently,

”

Taking responsibility for how we live really isn’t as unachievable as we may think!

these cups end up in landfill at a staggering rate every day. So, buying a reusable coffee cup (for example, the Balloon Bar sell these for a mere £5.00, which includes a free hot drink on purchase and then 20p discount of every following hot drink you buy), and actually using it, is a change that can have a significant impact on the environment. This is especially true if you are someone who drinks 1-2 cups of coffee every day.

Wills Memorial building doesn’t have any of these correct bins at all

”

The statistics regarding food waste in the UK are shocking: 1/3rd of food that is grown for human consumption gets chucked in the bin. The FAO estimates that reducing this by as little as a quarter and redirecting such food would save enough to feed 870 MILLION hungry people. So just from simply buying less food, or not regularly going to Sainsburys when hungover to buy ample amounts of food that you know you will not be able to finish, will make a difference! Food waste which ends up in a landfill site takes a significant amount of time to decompose, but simultaneously releases large quantities of CO2 and Methane, all contributing to the greater pressing problems of the green house effect and global warming.

Here are some useful tips on how to reduce consumption:

1. Visit Scoopaway Health Food Stores on Gloucester Road and take away all your products in jars from home... ...you can get these teal reusable bags from @doyourbit.uk on Etsy. Eradicate your chances of buying too much plastic and buy food in bulk instead!

Flickr / Robin Hastings

Reducing your carbon footprint is a topic potentially touched upon when at school in that random geography lesson, or a fleeting thought that springs to mind when talking to a recently converted vegan friend.

But actually putting it into action and changing your behaviour is a challenging step that most people struggle to even consider, let alone do! I hope to show you that taking responsibility for how we live really isn’t as unachievable as we may think!

First and foremost, living as a student tends to mean MEAL DEALS. Throwing a plastic bottle away every day actually adds up to a substantial amount of waste when you think about the number of students popping into the Co-op in that lunch break, before binning the waste in those tiny questionable bins dotted around uni or at the ASS. God knows students generally are not the best recyclers.

There is such an obvious action we can take to help live more sustainably in Bristol: by consuming fewer products or less food, we will therefore be throwing less away. Plastic is the crucial one we must try and focus on reducing our consumption of, so the same goes with using straws when you are out and about/ at the pub; they are unnecessary and get stuck in turtle’s noses, and a world with sad turtles is not a world we should want to be living in.

2. Try and buy lots of fruit and veggies from the Cotham fruit and veg store on Cotham Hill... ...or get your veg from Broadmead market (there is no plastic free packaging).

3. Buy bottles instead of cans with six pack rings around them... ...There’s actually more alcohol in them and no turtles get choked by the rings around their necks this way!

4. Try using a spork!

You can take them around with you and make a difference to the environment whilst doing so.

5. Visit the multi-faith chaplaincy... ...on woodland road between 1-3 on Wednesday for some plastic free food shopping.

6. Down at the White Botanicals Cafe on St Nicks Market (owned by Mr Wolfs)... ...their drinks come only with metal straws which are washed out afterwards for reuse.

7. If you go to a bakery, make sure they place your savoury or sweet treats in a paper bag... ...there is really no need for it to be extra wrapped in plastic.

8. Look into buying a bracelet from @ fouroceanspaddle... ...as this ensures your money will go to funding the removal of plastic waste from the ocean. Similarly, you could buy a compostable plant-based phone case from @pelacase.

Flickr/RIchard Sandoval

Flickr / Thomas Hawk

So, the general advice such as use less energy, save more water and walk more places seems overused but still stands, but as stingy students, these are actions we tend towards anyway. Other things to consider are 1) when moving to a new house and setting up bills, its useful to bear in mind the kind of company that is trying to be greener, so for example using an electricity provider which uses solar power, 2) eating less meat makes a major difference to people’s carbon footprints and also yay to vegetarianism/ veganism, as you are choosing to actively not support the industry which encourages the unnecessary cruel treatment of animals, and 3) reusable clingfilm is a thing!

Also, check out Roots on Facebook, Bristol’s very own gardening community.

Roots Community Gardening is a project led by students that aims to get students involved in conservation and sustainability around Bristol, whilst encouraging interaction between students and the wider community. They regularly plant flower beds, sow seeds and contribute to the conversation of beautiful green areas around Bristol, and are very welcoming to any newcomers who love getting outdoors and are passionate about the environment and living sustainably!

Emily Hayman Deputy Living Editor

26.02.2018

19

Rees-Mogg agrees with Alex Jones that Freddos are ‘trying to undermine Western civilisation’ ...but denies having ever heard of the chocolate treat in Tab interview!

They must never know of my secret Freddo hatred

Flickr / Tyler Merbler

Disclaimer: the content of this article is factually inaccurate. Jacob Rees-Mogg has never made any scandalous claims about Freddos and amphibious life-forms. However, the same cannot be said for Jones.

Flickr/Sam Wood

Flickr / LadyGeekTV

What is Freddo ?? ??

A series of leaked emails reveals Jacob Rees-Mogg lied about Rees-Mogg also admitted he was a fan of Crème Eggs, leading his ignorance of Freddos in an interview with The Tab. The leaked social theorists to speculate whether the chocolate is causing people emails also show him agreeing with controversial conspiracy to develop illiberal views. According to Slavoj Žižek, ‘Nothing says theorist, Alex Jones, that the snacks are ‘trying to undermine Brexiteer like a Crème Egg [sniff].’

Western civilisation.’

Following his talk at the University of Bristol last Friday, ReesMogg emphatically denied ever coming across Freddos before.

The politician told The Tab, he stated: ‘I don’t actually know what Freddos are.’

However, leaked emails have shed light on the MP’s radical and disturbing views on Freddos.

Rees-Mogg and Jones – founder of infowars.com and far-right commentator – corresponded over a period of three months. The two passionately believe that the confectionary item is being used to push a neo-Marxist agenda. They went as far as to postulate that ‘Hell yeah, I Freddos are an ideological tool of the liberal elite, referring to it as a ‘cultural lobotomization’. frickin’ hate them Rees-Mogg writes: ‘Freddos are dangerous. They’re dynamite. The frogs.’ smug visage of that cartoon frog is an insult to the Enlightenment, to reason, to the idea that might is right.’

Jones responded: ‘Hell yeah, I frickin’ hate them frogs.’

A video of Jones shows him claiming that chemicals in U.S. drinking water are ‘turning the frickin’ frogs gay’, a result of extreme social engineering by the liberal elite. But Freddos are helping engender a cultural where ‘human compassion and common decency is not only tolerated but encouraged.’

They two cite work of far-right philosopher Marvin Heidelberg as a justification for their belief that Freddos were created by ‘socialist dogs’ to ‘brainwash children into thinking the pursuit for equality is in some way noble.’

Heidelberg writes: ‘To Be being is to be a Being that is for-itself directed towards the Other’s consciousness, always striving but never actualising its own potentiality. Hence, we can clearly see that frog-shaped confectionary attempts to debase the spirit of Man, to turn him into a frog.’

Jordan Barker Living Editor

Living writer Chelsie Bristrow expresses her hopes and fears as graduation day dawns

I knew I had arrived at the ‘approaching twenty-one-year-old life crisis’ when I was riled up for my housemate to call the council about our bins, or the state of our carpets, yet still felt as though my body was possessed by Voldemort when trying to eat an olive.

These are the stereotypical activities I associate with being an adult and they’ve led me to question whether I’m at all growing up.

To be honest, I have no idea, because what I like changes all the time. I can confirm that I don’t know what I want for my future self after graduation, leaving me like feeling like a lost warthog, searching for a Simba and Timone. I like to think that I’m not alone in this confusion, and that everyone is experiencing their own individual crisis at this time.

I don’t know what I want for my future self after graduation, leaving me feeling like a lost warthog...

”

”

For example, on the one hand I enjoy bleaching the toilet and scrubbing the dead skin off my feet because they are becoming mini Sahara deserts in their own right, but then I sometimes want to run through some fields of wheat, fall over, and then be consoled with a large Donnervans chips. Most of the time I just want to become a bed burrito and eat mince pies, drown in crumbs and deny that it is February now and that they’re actually toasted teacakes.

Furthermore, why have I suddenly acquired a taste for gin?

Despite my younger vodka-fuelled self concluding that it was for those who lived in New York and who didn’t forget to shave their kneecaps. I forget I have kneecaps, so when did this relationship begin? If I’m entirely honest, sometimes I even forget that I attend University to learn, hopefully preparing to go into the world equipped with knowledge that doesn’t just revolve around the lives of Z list celebrities, or the best place to get a flapjack around here.

Instead I use it to socialise, and silently channel disappointment at the person who decided to leave a collection of spoons in the kitchen sink. If I wanted to see such a sight, I’d go to a cutlery museum.

I’ve also begun to question my purpose when I am introduced to people as the one who never puts on clothes, but is a dedicated wearer of the dressing gown. Yet I quite enjoy festering in my stained attire, because it’s comforting with smells of my favourite food. At the time of writing (February) I haven’t washed it since I purchased it in October, but please do not be horrified, for it’s an empowered gown and can handle it. It can be scary when everyone else seems to have it all figured out, as they have plans to travel and save alpacas, or make their billions before they’re 23, whilst you’re just trying to decide what flavour yoghurt suits your mood for the day or trying to survive getting caught on the door handle six times in one hour.

The other day I was fulfilling my duty of cleaning the hob in order to maintain some kind of sanity within an eight person

household, and accidentally cut myself with the scourer because it had got stuck in the hob. I then dramatically concluded that we were all going up in flames if I didn’t remove it with extreme force.

I’ve since sworn off scourers for life (and cooking lentils - but that’s another story).

Will I ever stop stress dancing to that Robbie Williams song I once heard in a Johnny English film at 2am? Will I one day be able to cross the road without giving myself whiplash in order to survive?

These are the life questions that I know will one day be answered. I have realised that my rambling thoughts are just that, they aren’t facts.

”

Epigram/Jasmin Perryw

My existential crisis at the tender age of 21

Will I ever stop stress dancing to that Robbie Williams song I once heard in a Johnny English film at 2am?

”

Nothing is for definite. We constantly evolve and we don’t even know what’s going to happen tomorrow - the scourer could have hired a spatula to off me next but I can’t know for sure. This is just a reminder that things will become clear eventually, and that if they don’t then you can just snack in the meantime.

Chelsie Bristow Third Year, English

26.02.2018

20

Editor Chloe Payne-Cook

Deputy-Editor Jasmine Burke

@EpigramWB

Online Editor Leila Mitwally

If you ever need to talk to someone, try www.bigwhitewall.com and register with your Bristol email @epigramwellbeing

Epigram Wellbeing

Minimalist living and your mental health Is less really more when it comes to your mental health and wellbeing?

I stare out my bedroom window, a dull thumping sensation from last night echoing through my head like an alarm that won’t turn off.

Or perhaps it’s the noise of Whiteladies outside, cars rushing to and fro below my window like grey ants that omit tiny, incoherent roars along the rain-stained road. It’s time for a walk.

I feel there needs to be more encouragement to get out of the city and out into these spaces which surround Bristol

”

Whatever the reason, it works. Considering that the colour green is the most calming for the human brain, it seems logical that green spaces are a perfect space to clear your head. I feel there needs to be more encouragement to get out of the city and out into these spaces which surround Bristol. I’m sure we’ve all had it when you get back from a walk feeling amazing, relaxed and clear headed. Bristol students, whether you know it or not, you are in one of the cities with perhaps some of the most easily accessible wildlife in the country.

Places I would certainly recommend going include: the Downs, Abbott Pool, Cheddar Gorge, Troopers Hill Nature Reserve, Leigh Woods, Oldbury Court and Snuff Mills, Ashton Court and so so much more - but there’s a few to get started. With the pressures of exams, relationships, money, and everything, getting out into the countryside seems imperative to have a healthy mind.

Items have clouded people’s objectives and not allowed them to think about the deep questions in life - like what are my true passions? Am I really doing all I can with my life, so that I can be happy?

”

There are a lot of pros to a minimalist lifestyle. It is hugely important that people don’t brush off something that could potentially help not just themselves but also the environment and the world. Minimalism is something that has been twisted and misconstrued by the media to the point that people aren’t educated as to what it means or the positive impacts it can have. Minimalism as a tool for mental health and the environment is viable and it’s important that people are made aware. Mental health conditions are complex, that goes without saying.

However, there are steps that we can take, such as minimalisim, which can help with freeing our minds of the stresses of modern day life. Not only can minimalism benefit mental wellbeing and general health, but it is also helpful for our environment, which seems to be a win-win. You can really begin to see the beauty in life and appreciate the small things.

Matthew Lu First Year, Law It’s scientifically proven. Research from Stanford University has shown that ‘accessible natural areas may be vital for mental health in our rapidly urbanising world’. They further state that ‘Our findings can help inform the growing movement worldwide to make cities more liveable, and to make nature more accessible to all who live in them’. The study also proposes that ‘city dwellers have a 20 percent higher risk of anxiety disorders and a 40 percent higher risk of mood disorders as compared to people in rural areas. People born and raised in cities are twice as likely to develop schizophrenia.’

Epigram / Chloe Payne-Cook

Living around Whiteladies Road, I get to live ten minutes away from one of the greenest spaces in Bristol, the Downs. While its reputation is slightly iffy during the night time, during the day it reminds me of why I love Bristol so much. Green stretches as far as the eye can see and envelopes everything, the city fades away as you wander out into the grassy haven, and the air feels a lot clearer. If you time your walk with the sunset, you get an absolutely stunning view of the gorge lit up with hues of red and orange. I would also highly recommend seeing the goats by the gulley. I mean come on… goats.

There’s something about going on a walk that’s so therapeutic. There have definitely been certain times in the year around exams where I felt like my head was going to explode with the pressure of the city.

Surrounding myself with green selfishly for half an hour allows me to breathe and reset. Perhaps it’s something to do with the simplicity of the horizon, or perhaps it’s the quiet.

Firstly, if one is buying less and participating less in the consumerist culture of modern day society then they’re bound to be spending less money to live. So, minimalist living also helps those who may not have as much wiggle room when it comes to finances.

”

Green spaces in Bristol

As if the mental wellbeing aspects aren’t enough to help persuade people of the legitimacy and pros of a minimalist lifestyle, there are also environmental concerns and socio-economic impacts that are addressed through the lifestyle.

Everything has a carbon footprint and a water footprint. By buying fewer products, a person is effectively cutting down on their footprints and overall negative impacts on the environment. It’s simple economics: the less demand, the less supply that will be made. Being a minimalist brings down the supply that businesses need and therefore reduces the amount of destruction they cause to the environment in creating their products.

”

Firstly, it is important to address what exactly material items do to the brain. Fumio Sasaki gave an interesting reasoning for his own choice to become a minimalist in an interview with The Guardian, saying ‘I was always comparing myself with other people who had more or better things, which often made me miserable. I couldn’t focus on anything, and I was always wasting time’. It’s really important to think of how exactly material items have subconsciously changed the way people

”

Another aspect of life which can impact mental health is how material items get in the way. They consume so much of people’s time that it doesn’t allow people to think about the important things in life. It’s so easy to just lay down on a comfy bed with a billion pillows and binge a Netflix series. Items have clouded people’s objectives and not allowed them to think about the deep questions in life - like what are my true passions? Am I really doing all I can with my life so that I can be happy? By having less items and subscribing to the minimalist lifestyle, people can do exactly this. As ‘The Minimalists’ say, ‘Minimalism is a tool that can assist you in finding freedom.

Freedom from fear. Freedom from worry. Freedom from being overwhelmed. Freedom from guilt. Freedom from depression. Freedom from the trappings of the consumer culture we’ve built our lives around. Real freedom.’

Secondly, it helps the environment to live a minimalist lifestyle! By buying less one is helping to create less waste. Less waste means fewer detrimental effects for the environment. Buying less and assessing exactly what is a necessity versus something that you may not need helps in numerous ways.

Epigram / Chloe Payne-Cook

Scepticism is the first thing to come to a lot of people’s minds when discussing radical life changes and this is a good thing. I would be very worried if people didn’t ask questions or fully understand what they’re trying to do. So, why do such people subscribe to this kind of lifestyle? Well, the answer to that question can be broken down into two factors. The first one being the mental health and wellbeing aspect it helps to promote, and the second being the environmental/socioeconomic aspect.

Essentially, the lifestyle is about ridding yourself of the traditional societal outlook that success and happiness are found through material items

Epigram / Chloe Payne-Cook

Therefore, leading a minimalist lifestyle isn’t about living with less than 100 things, not owning a car, not owning a home or a television, or being a young white male from a privileged household. It is about assessing what exactly is essential to yourself for living the best possible life. It’s about getting rid of the excess things that you don’t necessarily need in favour of being able to focus on exactly what is important in your life and maximising what you have. Essentially, the lifestyle is about ridding yourself of the traditional societal outlook that success and happiness are found through material items. Minimalism looks different for everyone and isn’t the exact same from person to person.

Finding how extreme you decide to live by minimalist rules is part of the journey.

view not just themselves but others around them. Material items have created this culture of comparison that wreaks havoc in terms of mental health. Comparison is a dangerous tool that has the power to cause serious damage, whether that be inflated egos or immense worry and suffering. Comparison creates complexes for people and makes them feel inferior.

”

Epigram / Chloe Payne-Cook

One of the growing trends in terms of wellbeing and lifestyle recently has been the school of thought known as minimalism.

Minimalism is often misconstrued by b y those who don’t fully understand what it means and can lead to people mocking the lifestyle based on false beliefs. Thus, it is important to address the question: what is a minimalist lifestyle and what does living a minimalist life help to accomplish?

A minimalist lifestyle is defined by ‘The Minimalists’ as ‘a tool to rid yourself of life’s excesses in favour of focusing on what’s important, so you can find happiness, fulfillment, and freedom’.

Certainly, mental health should not exclusively be treated with the prescription of country walks, but we should definitely allot a certain amount of time per week to get out of the city - , whether its going to a park or somewhere more adventurous.

So, put on your shoes, grab a coat, leave your phone, maybe bring a banana in case you get peckish and go for a walk. Life is only complicated if you let it be.

Luke Unger Second Year, English

26.02.2018

21 20

WE NEED YOU! Whether you’re a budding journalist or just have an interest in mental health and wellbeing, we want to hear from you! If you are interested in writing about your own personal experiences with mental health, offering advice or writing about current mental health events, join our Facebook Writers’ Group or email us at: wellbeing@epigram.org.uk

UBHRFC: Humanising mental health - an interview with Mike Armiger

Our online editor, Leila Mitwally, discusses mental health with Mike Armiger

”

Of course, Mike also considers the unique effect that being a student has on our mental wellbeing: ‘You go away from those connections and that safety, and you have to find your own way academically socially, emotionally and financially.’ He highlights the fundamental differences between different students coming to university, explaining that ‘at 18 you’re expected to be an adult, while some students arriving at university might have had quite a difficult upbringing, perhaps having experienced trauma, and are still trying to work out how their brain works.’

”

Next, we turn to ‘freshers culture’, and how this plays a part in the rising rates of mental health issues among students today. The student shares his own experience: ‘It’s extremely intimidating for guys and girls alike. If you look specifically at the social side of sports teams, they are usually heavily rooted in a kind of ‘lad culture’.

It creates a sort of cycle; you feel intimidated, which makes you want to join in, but you don’t feel confident enough. The people leading this culture have massive confidence in themselves, but anyone else ends up intimidated.’

Mike refers to a kind of toxic masculinity which goes hand-in-hand with a lot of male sports, in particular his own – rugby. ‘Rugby is one of those sports you might think is only played by people with supreme levels of confidence and no problems, yet I’ve met a lot of rugby players who will play brilliantly in a match, yet are very quiet in the changing room and want to go home straight after to get away from large groups of people. I think our perception of masculinity in that sense is quite warped, and isn’t helped by today’s media narrative.’

Naturally the discussion turns to the disparity between the numbers of men and women who come forward to talk about their mental health; an issue which is beginning to be highlighted by campaigns such as Mankind here at Bristol.

To get more men forward, Mike points towards therapeutic intervention: ‘If a man is going to seek counselling, they need to meet this counsellor beforehand. Before they talk about their vulnerabilities, they can get to know them – you’re not going to talk about your vulnerabilities to somebody you’ve just met in the street, and just because you’ve been referred to them doesn’t change that situation.’ He explains the idea of ‘routine enquiry’ which is something he encourages within the rugby team: ‘One thing I try to get a lot of the lads to do as they go through the week and are under pressure academically is ask each other ‘how are you?’ – and then when they get a generic ‘I’m fine’, try asking again in a different way.

Next we turn to the mental health support currently on offer at Bristol, which Mike’s student has first-hand experience of: ‘You book an appointment with a counsellor and you eventually get a fifteen minute slot, where they sit you down and they expect you to come up with everything that is bothering you. To then be told that you need to book an appointment with a GP and continue to seek out help yourself is difficult – you might have been building up the courage to seek this help for weeks, and now you’re just being redirected elsewhere. I also only found out about that service searching for myself online, so it really is very self-directed. It doesn’t fit with mental health – getting better relies on the people around you.’

Mike asks his student whether or not he thinks the situation has improved this year, given the increase in spending on student support services: ‘I think there has been some more awareness – we’ve had a couple of emails about it and I’ve seen posters around the libraries encouraging people to talk if they need to, but I don’t feel that there’s something tangible.

All in all I don’t think I’m any more confident that I could access these services this year.’

In terms of what he’d like to see done with the pastoral care, Mike emphasises the importance of humanising the mental health support available. He says ‘I would love to see them come away from the narrative that you will be signposted to a welfare advisor – you should be able to go to anyone. When you are in crisis, your brain is not going to work in a logical or linear way. It makes absolutely no sense to cut the warden system, which in terms of suicide prevention is invaluable.’

‘Be Mankind’ here at Bristol. I ask Mike and his student where they think this particular stigma comes from and how we should be addressing it, to which the student responds by explaining the issue

Leila Mitwally Online Wellbeing Editor

Find for your mind Usually, you’ll find a new person or service to follow or check out which you might find beneficial to your wellbeing. This week, however, our wellbeing Editor, Chloe Payne-Cook, gives you some advice about the great outdoors...

Epigram / Chloe Payne-Cook

‘In terms of students and the way that we broach these issues in universities, I take issue with the way that we clinicalise things very quickly. If a student wants help with, for instance, low mood; the first wave of response for you to get help is therapy - for you to sit in a very clinical environment and talk about all your vulnerabilities with someone you don’t even know.’ The depersonalisation of mental health treatment is a huge problem in Mike’s eyes. He says that ‘These interventions lack a human element – which is why I encourage a lot of outreach work. Instead of mental health professionals waiting for people to come to them, we should be going out to meet people in their own places of comfort, or in a more casual setting. This would mean we’d be able to identify people who need help earlier, and then filtering

‘If you don’t look after your mental health then you may well become mentally ill’

from a personal perspective: ‘This also links to lad culture – as a guy, if you feel that you want to open up about your feelings you immediately feel like you’re being a ‘wuss’ or you need to ‘man up’. It needs to be understood that mental health is not gender based.’ Mike agrees, explaining that men often find it difficult to even articulate how they’re feeling, which adds to the problem. ‘If you look at the way that social structures work for women – in the majority of cases they are able to converse a lot more freely, as it’s routine for them to meet up and talk about these things. Men, though they might have conversations with their friends in the pub for instance, still have very gendered scripts with what they discuss within these conversations.’

Epigram / Chloe Payne-Cook

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Secondly, he reflects on the effect of societal norms on the development of young people: ‘for example, the advice we hear thrown out from a very young age is to ‘follow your gut’, and you’ll always know what to do. But for a lot of people, the consequences of this would be absolutely disastrous! We haven’t yet arrived at a place that we are challenging these ideas that are ingrained in us.’ He also pinpoints the conventional use of the word ‘resilience’, explaining that ‘resilience’ is perpetuated as a route of self-healing: that you will stand on your own two feet and help yourself at all costs. ‘But surely the true meaning of something like resilience is a safety in connection model – you can only be resilient if you’ve got support, connections, and essential safety around you. It seems with the terms that we use we’re still struggling, while we’ve progressed in many other areas.’

This link is important, he notes, when we think about how we can improve mental health provision: ‘We have to start earlier, and that means we have to start keeping people well instead of dealing with them when they’re in crisis.’ The student Mike brings along agrees with these ideas on a personal level, explaining that ‘With students it really is the transition from being at school with set goals and constant praise – you need to get an A to get into university. But when you get to university it’s a lot more self-directed, and you haven’t got the people all around you to push you on.’

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I was lucky enough to meet with Mike and one of his students for a chat about the work that he does in Bristol and more broadly to improve the situation for young people who might be struggling with their mental health. We began by discussing why it might be that mental health issues are so prevalent - and rising - in the student population, which Mike firstly put down to the rapidly changing culture of the last 25 years. He explains that ‘with every technological advance there’s human impact. We’ve seen so many of these advancements that they are beginning to impact on us socially and psychologically.’

The depersonalisation of mental health treatment is a huge problem in Mike’s eyes. He says that ‘these interventions lack a human element’

We discuss the fact that there is a significant difference to be made between ‘mental health’ and ‘mental illness’ – the former which can be used to describe minor issues, while the latter denotes something more complex. Mike explains the link between these two terms: ‘Whenever we are talking about ‘mental health’, we should be looking at pre-emptive strategies, and our whole ‘wellness’.

‘While separating this from ‘mental illness’ is very useful, if you don’t look after your mental health then you may well become mentally ill.’

Epigram / Chloe Payne-Cook

Though within the University of Bristol Mike Armiger is primarily in charge of the medic’s rugby team, this position is just the beginning of an impressively long list – all which benefit and support young people in the UK. Outside of the University, he helps to train professionals involved with young people – be they teachers, GPs, or social workers – to be better informed and equipped to deal with issues of mental health, and though mainly focused on supporting young people, Mike also works on wider issues like suicide prevention and issues of saturation and burnout in the corporate sector.

them into the help that they need. Not everyone needs to sit in a room with a counsellor.’

A little green advice...

When you suffer from mental health conditions, it can sometimes be frustrating to be told that you ‘need to go for a walk’ or ‘immerse yourself in nature’. Mental health conditions are far more complex then requiring a simple walk to ‘cure’ them.

However, something I have learnt in my 10+ years of dealing with crippling anxiety, is that walking and going for a little wander around genuinely can help you if you are feeling anxious! It isn’t some miracle cure, but sometimes leaving the house and trying to focus on the beautiful nature which surrounds us in Bristol, can give you a break from the intrusive thoughts which often accompany anxiety and depression.

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Editor

Deputy Editor

Online Editor

Jane Cowie @janecowiefood food@epigram.org.uk

Holly Penhale

Sarah Roller

Epigram Food 2017-18

26.02.18

@epigramfood

Eating up the miles? Navigating the twists and turns of food transport Josh Francis deconstructs the modern buzzword, and complex issue, of food miles

The lineage of food miles harks back to research from the 1960s, but as a contemporary buzz-phrase it rose to prominence with the publication of a prophetically-titled, 1994 study ‘The Dangers of Long-Distance Food Transport’. Professor Tim Lang, the report’s author, essentially argued that the further an item’s journey, the higher the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions associated with that product. Which, at face value, appears to be entirely reasonable.

travel estimate can be made for apples from New Zealand, doing the same for processed goods such as ready meals, with their constituent mishmash of ingredients, is exceptionally tricky – and tenably not very helpful, either.

considerably more carbon-intensive and inefficient than shipping.

Depending on the country and the product in question, however, air travel may still be more eco than trying to grow something locally using energy-hungry methods.

Indeed, honing in on food miles in the first place only blurs the broader carbon picture. A 2008 study in the US revealed that 83 per cent of food-based emissions originate in the production phase, while 11 per cent are attributable to transport; even then, CO2 emitted getting from producer to retailer represents just 4 per cent. Not insignificant proportions, but certainly only a slice of the pollutant pie.

The argument extends beyond the environment, with some suggesting that boycotting items – like chocolate or coffee – from countries in Africa deteriorates socio-economic conditions in communities who rely on exports to Europe. Others have even taken a, slightly absurd, neoliberalist stance and claim that being food-mile conscious, and procuring locally, equates to being antifree trade.

83 per cent of food-based emissions originate in the production phase, while 11 per cent are attributable to transport

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However, in recent years, the utility of food miles has been increasingly criticised, rendering our modern food economy considerably more perplexing. First, there is the issue of how journeys are calculated. The widely – and generally inaccurately – touted figure of 1500 miles for an average item was first reported in 2001, and has been repeated across local-eating literature since then. However, aside from data on commercial flows often being inaccessible, arriving at an estimate is somewhat complicated. How are delays and traffic volumes accounted for, and what about the amplifying effects of consumers’ shopping trips?

Explicating an average food item is knottier still: how is a unit of bread, for instance, defined – a loaf, a roll? While a reasonable

Epigram / Jane Cowie

Transportation, after all, accounted for around 14 per cent of global CO2 emissions in 2010, and at current it’s often claimed an ‘average’ food product travels 1500 miles before reaching the consumer. Thus, food miles have seemingly become a central rationale for the local-eating movement, and the rise of so-called ‘locavores’. Avoid avocados flown from Mexico, munch on British broccoli instead, and help save Mother Earth – or so the basic premise goes.

The proverbial thorn in the side here, then, is that mileage doesn’t represent where our food is grown or manufactured, and how it is processed, stored and transported. Take UK-grown green beans. Yes, they don’t journey as far as those from Kenya.

But the ability to grow them here relies on fossil-fuel farm machinery and manufactured fertilisers, potentially representing a higher environmental impact than the flown-in kind, farmed using less energy. Further, a study in 1998 demonstrated that Swedish tomatoes had a greater carbon footprint than those imported from Spain, due to the energy required to operate greenhouses in Scandinavian climes.

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Having occupied the public consciousness for decades, the concept of ‘food miles’ has long been linked with the climatic consequences of importing provisions from far-flung lands. But does quantifying food journeys help us understand our carbon footprint, or does it dramatically oversimplify reality?

Avoid avocados flown from Mexico, much on British broccoli instead, and help save Mother Earth - or so the basic premise goes

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However, to further muddy the waters, significant criticism of the critiques exist. Whilst food miles are simplistic, some opposing research has also been employed superficially to suggest that local eating is environmentally detrimental. Meanwhile, anti-free trade arguments simply neglect the reality that food production, locally and globally, doesn’t exist in an unregulated vacuum.

Furthermore, food mile deriders have tended to lazily conflate it with local-eating, when in fact proponents of the latter can be influenced more by different personal, social and ecological factors, not simply how far food has been trucked. Those who can afford to buy locally may do so because of better-tasting, fresher produce; some may also be motivated by supporting local businesses – the list goes on.

So, should we pay attention to food mile concerns? Yes. Is eating local produce a good thing? Yes. However, be warned, the two are not intrinsically transposable. As with many buzz-phrases, ‘food miles’ does little to illuminate reality: truly understanding the impacts of what we eat and where it comes from involves examining the entire chain, not simply the route from pasture to plate.

Josh Francis

Isolating distance also ignores the fact that different modes of transport have radically different footprints, with air freight being

Fourth year, Geography

Avocados: not as green as they seem Holly Penhale explores the environmental impacts of the recent surge in avocado sales

Mexico provides around half of the world’s avocado supply but as a result of the increasing demand and subsequent price inflation, the country has been forced to consider importing the fruit as locals can no longer afford to buy them.

With a kilo of avocados now selling for around £3.40 – more than the daily minimum wage in Mexico – the average Mexican has cut

Whilst the so called ‘green gold’ has been a great source of wealth for many Mexican towns, their popularity has brought with it a wealth of crime in the form of drug cartels and illegal deforestation. Realising that the crop is more lucrative than many others, farmers have taken to cutting down pine trees in order to clear space for avocado saplings. In July 2016 Mexican police in Morelia arrested 13 people for illegally cutting down 260 pine trees and 87 firs for this purpose.

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But whilst we’re moaning about the extortionate costs of our beloved avocado toast, others are suffering far more severe consequences as their livelihoods and local environments are at stake. It seems that the world’s favourite super-food is not as green as its flesh suggests.

consumption from 9kg per year to just 7.5kg. The sad reality of the avocado craze is that natives are sacrificing their own dietary staples to satisfy the needs of the rest of the world.

The footprint of a pack of two avocados amounts to 846.36g CO2, whilst 1kg of bananas racks up just 480g C02.

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Aside from the criminal repercussions, environmentalists are rightfully disgruntled by the effect that deforestation will have on the local wildlife. Many species will be displaced by the destruction of their homes and with avocado orchards requiring twice as much water as dense forestland, the availability of water will become scarce serving to further endanger the local wildlife.

Epigram / Holly Penhale

With the increase in demand for avos comes an increasing need for shipping crates. Largely made of wood, manufacturing them leads to further deforestation of local trees and intensifies the environmental impacts. Perhaps the most concerning figures about the unsustainable way we are now consuming avocados comes from a study carried out by Carbon Footprint Ltd. The research suggests that the footprint of a pack of two avocados

amounts to 846.36g CO2 whilst one kilo of bananas, roughly 5, racks up just 480g CO2. These emissions result from irrigation, shipping, packaging and other meticulous processes which ensure success of ripening. Similarly, destructive produce includes farmed salmon and bottled beer but by far the worst offender is meat - with each kilo of lamb contributing 39.2kg of CO2 to the environment.

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The recent surge in popularity for the once-humble avocado has been fuelled by health claims, fad diets, brunching trends and of course, their immense instagrammability. As a result, the last few years have seen the cost of the fruit soar with prices jumping from 86p per unit to £1.10 in the first half of 2016.

The once humble avocado has been fuelled by health claims, fad diets, brunching trends and their immense Instagrammability

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What does this mean for consumers then? As an avid avo fan I’m not for one second suggesting we banish them from our lives but there are a few things we can do to help. For example, buy loose avocados that haven’t been needlessly wrapped in plastic packaging as these are lower in CO2 emissions.

Also, if your weekly food budget means you have to sacrifice a luxury item then make it the meat. Avocados are healthier and more environmentally friendly and can be adapted to fit recipes for breakfast, lunch and dinner!

You’ll be glad to hear though that the best thing you can do is not waste them. Whilst it’s not likely that supermarkets will stop shipping in the environmental enemies any time soon, allowing them to rot simply means that all the material that went into producing them has been unnecessarily wasted. So, enjoy them but don’t take for granted the sacrifices that have been made to make them accessible to you.

Holly Penhale

Deputy Food Editor

26.02.18

23 Recipe Boxes: a student perspective

Holly Penhale gives her take on recipe boxes, and whether their simplicity is worth the premium price

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It pushed me to try recipes I wouldn’t pick out of a cookbook myself

with no flexibility and made spontaneous meals out or house takeaways impossible. Whilst I accept that students are probably not the target audience for Recipe Box companies, I found the lack of routine that characterises student life to be somewhat incompatible with a stringent weekly meal plan.

What’s more, despite being provided with dinner ingredients, I soon realised that I still had to shop for breakfast and lunch supplies and other weekly food staples. Given that I had to food shop regardless, it wasn’t much more hassle to bring along the handy tear-off shopping list attached to all the Simply Cook recipe cards. This meant that I had the freedom to pick and choose when I wanted to cook their meals and shop for the ingredients accordingly. It also meant that I could search for deals on products and likely get more bang for my buck than the carefully portioned food supplied by Hello Fresh.

In terms of the food itself, I have to admit that neither company

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Epigram / Holly Penhale

But even that would be an organisational stretch for most of us students who wander into Sainsbury’s without any semblance of a plan and pick up whatever takes our fancy. Whilst my trials didn’t leave me entirely convinced of their value for money, they did push me to cook three or four new recipes each week which is a lot even for the most enthusiastic of foodies.

Hello Fresh offers a more extensive service, sourcing all the fresh ingredients for you and delivering them on a nominated day to be cooked that week, whilst Simply Cook provide only the dry ingredients, namely stock, spices, dried herbs etcetera, and leave you to shop for the rest. As a result, the difference in price is sizeable. Each of my Hello Fresh boxes cost £34.99 and contained three different meals each of which served two people. The Simply

Cook boxes which contained the store-cupboard ingredients for four different meals each of which served two people, cost £8.99.

Initially I expected to find that Hello Fresh trumped Simply Cook on the convenience front. This was until I realised that once that box was delivered I was forced to cook each meal on consecutive days that week or else the ingredients would go off. This left me

Epigram / Holly Penhale

The key to success for recent food trends has been simplicity.

The fastest selling recipe books of 2017 were those that promised minimal ingredients, prep and time in the kitchen.

It is unsurprising then, that recipe boxes are on the rise. More and more people are opting to have a pre-packed box of recipes and ingredients delivered to their homes rather than spending time planning meals and shopping for their components.

Intrigued by this craze, I recently subscribed to two of the most popular companies offering the service, Hello Fresh and Simply Cook. I’ll admit that my subscriptions only lasted the duration of the free trial, but nonetheless they gave me a pretty good insight into how it all works. My aim was to find out whether or not the service they were offering justified paying a premium for ease. After all, all they really do is relieve you of the obligation to spend your Sunday evenings flicking through your cook book and painstakingly adding each ingredient to your shopping list or online basket.

The internet is teeming with foodie inspiration

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disappointed. All the meals were delicious and pushed me to try recipes I wouldn’t necessarily pick out of a cookbook myself. The Soy and Orange Pork with Mediterranean Vegetables and Couscous was my personal favourite from the Hello Fresh box. Whilst I wouldn’t normally opt for pork medallions, I would definitely cook it again and will certainly be making the vegetable Couscous which makes for a delicious lunch even without the meat. Some recipes were more complex than others.

This one, for example, required you to roast a tray of veg and prepare three other elements on the hob, the Couscous, the pork and the caramelised onion and prepare a marinade for the pork in a separate bowl. If you don’t enjoy cooking I wouldn’t recommend Hello Fresh as what they don’t supply is a quick stick-it-in-the-oven fix after a long day. But if you’re prepared to put in the work, the

results are definitely worth it.

The Simply Cook recipes certainly made mid-week cooking less of an ordeal. The prospect of making a Goan Fish Curry one Wednesday evening had me bracing for a big clean up.

However, the convenience of having all the spices and dry ingredients in pre-measured pots significantly reduced both the stress and the mess. It was simply a case of chopping a few vegetables, getting a pan on the heat and throwing in the appropriate spices at various intervals. There was no faffing around with measuring cups while the rice lay down its roots on the bottom of my saucepan. In terms of flavour, the final product did not disappoint but if you aren’t partial to spice I would recommend adding the whole tin of coconut milk rather than half and going easy on the fresh chilli as this dish packs a punch.

Overall, I really enjoyed my free trials of Hello Fresh and Simply Cook. Both companies offer great recipes which create delicious meals and have without a doubt expanded my recipe repertoire. The services are ideal for a busy foodie with limited time but a reasonable amount of disposable income as they keep you cooking even when the ready meal aisle is calling. However, for the average student who doesn’t quite meet that criteria, the bottom line is, they don’t offer anything that you couldn’t do yourself if you set your mind to it.

The most valuable thing that the recipe box companies offer is the encouragement to cook from scratch on a regular basis. If this is something that appeals to you than grab a cook book or better still hit up a search engine! The internet is teeming with free foodie inspiration and I’m willing to bet that you can source all your own ingredients for far less than £34.99!

Holly Penhale

Deputy Food Editor

Waste not want not: waging war on food waste

Sarah Roller speaks out about the disastrous impacts of food waste, and how you can help

We waste £13 billion and 15 billion tonnes of food waste per year

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But supermarket policies are only half the battle. Food waste at home is not only adding up financially, it’s costing the environment. With that in mind, here are some tips to reduce food waste at home: 1) Sell-by dates I was brought up in a household where sell-by dates were myths, and food was completely edible until they obviously weren’t anymore. If it’s growing mould, it’s not edible, was generally the motto - unless it’s bread, in which case you can pick the mould off. Sell-by dates are one of the largest contributors to food waste. Most foods will have two dates on their labels: a best before date, and a use-by date. A best before date basically means it might look a bit funny - think

food you need, rather than collecting a random mix of things and throwing half of them away because you simply can’t eat them before they go off.

Use-by is possibly worth paying a bit more attention to: especially with regards to dairy and meat. Fresh meat is definitely a no-go after the date, and dairy can survive a couple of days, the sniff test is a classic, but use your common sense. Just because it’s technically ‘off’ doesn’t mean it actually is. 24m slices of bread are thrown away every day in the UK: a lot of them needlessly. A tiny bit of mould can happily be picked off.

3) Fruit and veg Vegetables can go a bit gross: collapsed, wrinkled peppers, mushy cucumbers, soggy carrots, unhealthily green potatoes, you name it, it’s appeared in our fridge at some point. Communicate with your friends / flatmates and nab their almost-gone- off tomatoes to whip up something exciting, rather than have them chuck them. Cut off the dodgy bits. Sprouting potatoes are still very much edible. There are a million and one recipes online to help you use up whatever is about to go off: use them.

Epigram / Sarah Roller

Supermarkets are increasingly being challenged on their food waste policies: the Co-op now sends absolutely none of its food to landfill, Tesco claim that since the end of 2017 they no longer waste any food fit for consumption and almost every UK supermarket is signed up to FareShare - donating unsold food to charities at the end of each day.

mottled chocolate, or it might not work as well - slightly stale biscuits or self-raising flour that doesn’t raise quite as well as it might have done. It’s not going to kill you to eat it – within reason.

Not only will you save enormous amounts of waste by using common sense with best before/use-by dates, you’ll also save yourself some precious pennies.

2) Meal plans Quite simply, the best way to combat food waste is to do some meal planning. It makes me sound like a middle-aged housewife, but it takes 5 minutes before going shopping to think which meals you may or may not be in for, and what you might need for them. Buy the

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Around half the food bought in the UK won’t ever grace our plates: it will go straight from the fridge or cupboard into the bin. Food waste in the UK is reaching epidemic levels: we have an enormous £13 billion, 15 million tonne pile of food waste per year. Worldwide, around 400 people die from hunger every hour. It seems insane that these two figures can sit side by side without serious action being taken to rectify the problem. It’s time we did something to change that.

Sell-by dates are one of the largest contruibuters to food waste

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4) Compost My garden at home is the proud owner of a rather large compost heap, and composting food waste is second nature to me. The same can’t be said of a lot of Bristol’s student population.

If you don’t have one, Bristol City Council will provide you with a lovely brown food waste bin, so that someone, somewhere, can benefit from the nutrient-rich compost all that food waste - from mouldy bread to banana skins - will make. Super easy, and super beneficial.

The food waste crisis facing the world needs all of us to do our part: from giant supermarkets, right down to the humble student not chucking some slightly wilted spinach. It all makes a much-needed difference.

Sarah Roller

Online Food Editor

Editor Nancy Serle style@epigram.org.uk

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Deputy Editor Lottie Moore

@e2style

@epigramstyle

26.02.2018

Online Editor Hannah Worthington

Epigram Style 2017/18

Maintaining a sustainable wardrobe without sacrificing your style Style writer Jessica Smith discusses how to improve our ecofootprint and the sustainability of our closets

Whilst this is a great step forward for the fashion industry and the environment as a whole, it’s a move that will mostly affect future buyers, not those of us who already have an abundance of less eco-friendly items. So, instead of splashing out on a whole new wardrobe, there are ways to make your current one sustainable, and of course to make more sustainable choices in the future.

Firstly, I cannot stress enough the benefits of going vintage! Being in Bristol, this isn’t even something that would seem like a consciously sustainable choice or an extra effort, as it seems to be second nature to all (myself included, no digs); but it makes a huge impact on ethical consumerism. Items that would otherwise be going to waste are now offered a new lease of

I cannot stress the benefits of going vintage!

The same goes for buying trans-seasonal pieces; jeans, T-shirts, classic dresses, timeless coats and jackets will make for a much more sustainable wardrobe living in Britain’s unique - by which I mean unpredictable - climate. That

spring/summer collection made entirely out of pristinely white linen may be gorgeous, but you shouldn’t have to fork out for something you’ll wear for a few months at most. That isn’t to say you need to stick to basics, with many accessible brands offering staple items in luxurious prints or fabrics. Just be conscious to make more suitable choices in keeping with the #30wears mind-set, you might notice how much easier it is to piece together an outfit for that dreaded 9am too.

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With less trends, your wardrobe will slowly collect classic pieces and accessories

Getting into ethical fashion involves changing your buying habits for the better: with less trends, your wardrobe will slowly collect classic pieces and accessories that you know suit your body and your own personal style. Perhaps take a style tip from the modern Parisian woman: ‘She’s a girl who could care less. She’s not looking to put herself into a box or follow any of the rules’.

Instagram ‘It-girls’ @jeannedamas and @ sabinasocol know how to work a pale denim Levis 501 or a ballet pump into any outfit, and they always look effortlessly polished. It’s definitely a good idea to invest time working out your own personal style and what suits you best from the start of your journey to ensure you’ll love your clothes for as long as they last you. Unsubscribe from fast-fashion brands that bombard your social media with a ‘must-have’ item or accessory

every week, especially if they don’t fit your own ethics.

Lastly, respect your current wardrobe – it may not be wholly ethical or eco-friendly but it’s yours!

I’m not saying that simply because a jacket you bought a few years ago is made of real leather you have to throw out. You bought it, you love it and it’s a part of your style after all. Sustainable fashion is still in its infancy, but it’s reach is extending rapidly. We may not have the platform to tell Zara or Urban Outfitters to manufacture ethically, but we can make small changes to our own buying habits that will start to make these companies listen.

Jessica Smith Second Year, English

Instagram / @jeannedamas

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Ethical, sustainable fashion has always seemed expensive and inaccessable to the average shopper

life, for a fraction of the cost of ‘vintage-look’ items offered in high-street stores. Charity shops, though often filled with questionable relics from what would seem like the 1930s, are also a great way to find pieces you can up-cycle if you’re willing to put the time into learning your way around a sewing-machine, or just plain old needle and thread. Not to mention donating your unwanted clothes – I know I have countless items shoved in the back of my wardrobe that someone else might really appreciate.

Livia Firth, of Eco Age, began the #30wears campaign, calling on buyers to make more ethical and rational choices. She says, ‘The biggest message is every time you buy something, always think, ‘Will I wear it a minimum of 30 times?’

If the answer is yes, then buy it. But you’d be surprised how many times you say no.’ Making wiser choices, for example, opting for something with longevity instead of a statement piece that you’ll shudder at the thought of wearing in a few months’ time, can also hugely benefit your bank account.

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This year, the wider fashion industry will be putting their energy into new techniques and innovations to increase sustainability. Ethical, sustainable fashion has always seemed expensive and inaccessible to the average shopper; but recently, many high-street brands have opted to create more conscious collections – for example H&M’s new fashion and lifestyle brand Arket.

Whilst incorporating sustainability into their manufacturing process, the company have defined the brand concept around longevity, emphasising quality over a ‘fast-buy’ consumer attitude.

Follow Instagram ‘It-girl’ @jeannedamas for more sustainable inspiration

Where to shop vintage in Bristol Style editor Nancy Serle reveals where to find vintage gems Stoke’s Croft Vintage Market 15-19 Stokes Croft, Bristol, BS1 3PY

BS8 34 Park Street, Bristol, BS1 5JG BS8 is of Park Street’s favourites, stocking an abundance of vintage items in the large back section of the shop and a few independent boutique brands at the front. Forever crowded with Bristol’s most fashionable residents, BS8’s vintage selection is sourced from all over the world, creating a diverse and exciting range of items for any style or any age. The spacious store boasts a multitude of affordable designer and branded items from Louis Vuitton bum bags and Gucci accessories.

In the heart of Bristol’s creative corner, Stoke’s Croft Pop Up Vintage Market is home to a huge range of eccentric and eclectic items from retro furniture and home-wear to awesome second-hand garments and even the odd piece of taxidermy! The menagerie of market stalls are available to browse every Thursday to Sunday, and the newly added sandwich bar is a perfect place grab a bite to eat in between shopping for those golden vintage items. Whilst relatively new to Bristol’s vintage scene, this Aladdin’s cave is definitely worth checking out.

l-r: Epigram / Nancy Serle, Epigram / Nancy Serle

Nancy Serle Style Editor

26.02..2018

25

Guys let’s get ethical Style writer Oliver Briscoe compiles local environmentally friendly fashion brands for the ethically conscious men

‘Thought’ bamboo socks In future there will be a longer article on socks in general, but here I want to talk about a very specific brand of socks: ‘Thought’. I discovered these socks at a stall in St Nicholas’ Market, right here in Bristol and they are perhaps the softest pair I own. ‘Thought’ is an eco-friendly company that only uses natural and sustainable materials; amongst many other great things, they make their socks with bamboo. In terms of its ecocredibility, ‘Thought’ is a member of the Ethical Fashion Forum and the EFF fellowship 500 (Top 500 pioneering ethical fashion companies), they only use organic and recycled materials, they make their clothes in the same area as their source material to minimise shipping, they have policy statements on animal welfare and the environment and they have set up a code of conduct (all of which you can read on their website). Basically, they are pretty eco. The socks themselves are a real delight and retail for around £6 a pair. Because of the bamboo these socks are anti-bacterial and naturally breathable (great for summer) but that does not mean they won’t also keep your toes toasty in your desert boots.

‘Thought’ have a design to suit every tase from plain to striped and even patterned socks, muted but expressive, so you can add a dash of fun and colour to your outfit. If you love everything eco you can spend hours online pouring over their blog and mission statements, and if you’re apathetic, these are still very stylish.

Mild West Heroes Mild West Heroes is another locally sold eco brand. This small company only sells t-shirts designed by local West Country artists and has been based in Bristol since 2007. They are very serious about the environment and use ethically sourced materials such as organic cotton and bamboo, and they also care about the whole production process, especially the artist. Each artist gets a commission per t-shirt sold and retains the rights to their design. MWH also hold a Fairwear certification (Fairtrade for clothes) so you can be sure they don’t exploit anyone throughout the process.

You can find most of their designs in a stall called Over Here, in St Nicholas’ Market or you can find them online and t-shirts go for £20. Their designs are casual and a bit bizarre but all very creative. My favourite is Mardyke gull by Michelle Barker, a recognisable and simple drawing of a gull but with a splash of pink, a colour which lacks in quite a few men’s wardrobes (For pink see Harry Styles on the Today Show).

Brothers We Stand Walk too quickly and you won’t notice it.

Brothers We Stand, is a small store slotted on Museum Street near M Shed, by the docks. Like the previous company, BWS believes in ethical fashion, and like the previous company, a tshirt will cost you between £20-£30, but unlike the previous company, BWS does not produce its own clothes. They curate and collect pieces from 14 different brands, who are all eco-friendly and all use sustainable materials, and for your peace of mind BWS provides the footprint of each product. This is not limited to the materials and shipping but tells you about the brand, the factory, the treatment of the employees and what eco-certifications the company holds (most are Fairwear or adhere to other standards such as the Global Organic Textile Standard). They have been going for over 5 years and stock more than just t-shirts. From trousers to hoodies to jeans, you can really complete an entire ethical wardrobe with just one visit. My personal pick has to be the We Do Nothing red wave t-shrit (£30), minimalist yet with a Japanese inspired twist. The company is Fairwear and GOTS accredited (You can read their Fairwear report on BWS website) and the tshirt itself is made of organic cotton in a factory powered by wind turbines. I think that’s green enough.

Bulldog Finally, once you have assembled your ethical wardrobe, you still need to take care of your body, and there is nothing better than Bulldog. Familiar to many, Bulldog products have, since 2005, completely taken over in the men’s cosmetics department, from shaving cream to moisturiser to deodorant; Bulldog has you covered. Bulldog only use natural ingredients, certified by Cruelty Free International and make the majority of their products in the UK. Their products are wideranging but splendidly straightforward and still astoundingly affordable. Need I say more?

Oliver Briscoe First Year, Law

l-r: socks / enjoyfairtrade.co.uk, t-shirt / mildwestheroes.co.uk, Brotherswestand / Sam Mabley, Instagram / @bulldogskincare

Catching up with the fashion federation Blog editor Lydia Cotmore reveals all...

What has The Fashion Federation been up to since we last spoke?

We’ve been super busy recently with lots of great sessions, including scrapbooking and the first-term favourite feminist embroidery, with different projects on the side too! The first ever Fashion Fed sewing course (open to staff, students and non members) is now up and running, and has been a huge success so far.

Students have made tote bags and will progress to make bunting in future weeks; it consists of 4 weekly 2-hour sessions taught by a fun and fullyqualified teacher. We’d love to hear from anyone interested in doing the £40 course in future so that we can gauge interest, so please message us

on FB and like our page. Our blog is now also up and publishing regularly - posts on everything fashion and crafts related, from the political power of embroidery and dress to awards season fashion - we’ve had a great response so far, and are looking for more writers (so again, get in touch on FB or uobfashionfedblog@gmail.com)!

Do you have any more events coming up this term?

Yes, we’re making crop tops next Thursday (who needs depop?) and we have lots of ideas for more sessions running up to Easter!

Can I still join FF or is it too late?

It’s never too late! There was an amazing turn out at our ‘Give It A Go’ session earlier this term; beginners and experts all welcome! A years membership is £10 or its £2 per session!

In light of Epigram’s green issue, how is FF sustainable?

We’re teaching people how to make their own accessories and clothing items, from jewellery to tops, and raising awareness of the ways in which you can revive old items in your wardrobe. By making your own stuff and reusing items you already own instead of buying new massproduced clothes from high-street retailers, you reduce your contribution to the wasteful

economy of fast fashion. In the past we’ve also held clothes swaps, so that people can exchange old clothes they no longer wear for ‘new’ secondhand items. In this way the clothes are directly redistributed to other people in need of them, rather than being thrown away or held in storage unused; it is thought that only around 10% of donated clothes in the US are resold, so that is not always a fool-proof way of getting rid of unwanted clothes ethically. In our own small ways, Fashion Fed is trying to encourage people to love their existing wardrobes and donate what items they don’t to those who will, so that Bristol fashion is a little more sustainable and the planet a little happier.

26.02.2018

26

100 years of female suffrage

Why I love M&S

Deputy style editor Lottie Moore pays homage to Marks Style writer Jemima Carr-Jones and Spencer discusses how the Suffragettes utilised style in politics

Their very aim was to conform as best as they could to the classic and conventional dress of an Edwardian woman

The more I read about the Suffragettes and the movement in the run-up to female suffrage the more chaos but cunning I recognise in all that went on. It reminds me somewhat of the mad rush of preparation before a party, carefully choosing your outfit and deciding upon one that you think best tells the world your story.

Do you want to be modest, liberal, free spirited or glamorously dark? The Suffragettes did the slog of the preparatory work for us and now it is our job to go out and grab every opportunity we can with arms wide open, opportunities we have been granted, thankfully, due to our political emancipation.

Jemima Carr-Jones First Year, English

Instagram / @sassysingapore

The Suffragettes were a small activist group in the early twentieth century who were compelled to behave in such a way that was radical and militant. Assessing the social climate of this time, it was forecast that should women continue to behave non-offensively and obligingly, men would simply continue to belittle lawful female opinion regarding governmental issues and law.

Without momentous action, the balance of male empowerment and female subjugation would cease to be equalised. At this time, opponents of the cause believed women to be excessively emotional and unable to think as logically as men. If we review the most notorious actions of the Suffragettes: including arson, window smashing, picture slashing and setting fire to letterboxes, they perhaps did not entirely disprove said theory as they were highly prone to outbursts of public misdemeanor. However, these outbursts were arguably essential in that they demonstrated a fearlessness and unwillingness to settle for injustice. The fortitude of these women was an imperative ingredient in the outcome of the movement; the empowerment they earned inspired among women, and that continues to this day.

With regard to style, it is interesting to note that in the early twentieth century the Suffragette movement did not impact cotidian fashion in an alarming way at all. In fact, their very aim was to conform as best as they could to the classic and conventional dress of an Edwardian woman.

It cannot be said that their rebellious spirit was reflected in their dress, unlike today with the likes of Lady GaGa in her meat dress, for instance. No, a jacket and a long skirt suit were the order of the day representing the ‘New Woman’ of the time. In 1908, the newspaper Votes for Women wrote that: ‘The suffragette of today is dainty and precise in her dress.’

The group were aware that their behaviour provided a source of perpetual scandal with regard to the media as they were highly prone to attracting coverage for participation in parades and demonstrations. Knowledgeable of the potency of visual identity both as a form of communication and propaganda, it was thus

buying socks for my grandmother.

M&S does well when it keeps it simple. Trawl through the 75,000 different types of ‘work’ trouser (which range from elasticated ankle-bashers to dominatrix pleather leggings) and you will find the best the British High street has to offer: a well tailored, genuinely stylish, good quality pair of trousers for under £30, which will probably last you a decade. Its just that no one under the age of 45 ever visits except to buy Percy Pigs.

Similarly, you can buy precisely the same pair of Joni jeans for under £20 that you will pay £45 for in Topshop, and they won’t turn grey and rip up the arse within a month. In M&S they possibly have an elasticated waist too, (which is not a bad thing).

No one is pretending that M&S is the cutting edge of fashion, it is not trying to be. But we would all be pleasantly surprised if we gave it a chance. There is something rather lovely about the matriarch of the British high street being able to satisfy the styles of three generations. There is also nowhere else you can simultaneously buy prosecco flavoured crisps and a diamanté jumper.

Lottie Moore Deputy Style Editor

A tribute to... the desert boot An already popular shoe amongst many men, it has proved to be a staple of my everyday wardrobe for years.

The shoe was first invented by Nathan Clark who discovered the design when he fought with the Eight Army in Burma in 1941. Originally made by Cairo cobblers at the request of some officers, the boot presented many practical advantages. The suede proved to be lightweight and comfortable and the crepe sole gave the shoe grip for fighting in desert and jungle terrain. Clarks then released a commercial version of the shoe at the 1949 Chicago Shoe Fair which was covered by Esquire and from then on it was a success.

The design has virtually remained unchanged since, it is still comfortable and lightweight, still has that famous crepe sole, still performant under most conditions but it is now also very stylish. To be worn with the most everyday of outfits all the way up to a casual suit. A pair of Clarks will now set you back £100 but you can wear them forever.

If you take care of them: waterproof them every few months, brush up the suede, change the laces, then they will become a lifelong friend that you can always count on.

Instagram/ @rugged_style

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The women would arrive well turned out in tailor-made suits, coats and hats

decided among the Suffragettes to present a unified image of a social set that ought to be taken seriously (and thus ultimately be granted suffrage).The result of this being whatever the occasion, from the mundane to the likes of preparing to chain oneself to the railings of a government building, the women would arrive well turned out in tailor-made suits, coats and hats. Sylvia Pankhurst once said that Suffragists would not ‘run the risk of being considered outré in their dress, and doing harm to the cause’ and were thus meticulous in ‘appealing to the eye’.

Members deliberately chose conventional and classically feminine Edwardian styles. In many ways this attitude is emulated still to this day, dressing in order to be perceived a certain way.

‘Dress for the job you want, not the job you have.’

Miuccia Prada’s wise words some seventy years later still echoing the Suffragette aesthetic spirit, ‘What you wear is how you present yourself to the world, especially today, when human contacts are so quick. Fashion is instant language.’ The Suffragettes, even one hundred years ago, knew this only too well.

Visual identity being key, in 1908 Emmeline Pethick-Lawrence devised the group’s branding which consisted of a band of three colours: purple, symbolic of loyalty and dignity, white, symbolic of purity, and green, of hope. Wearing these colours was considered ‘a duty and a privilege’ and at the Hyde Park WSPU meeting on 21 June 1908, which 300,000 people attended, all reportedly wore the colours ‘either in favours pinned to the breast, or in the trimmings of a hat, in belt ribbons or in shoulder sashes.’ Another symbol of the emancipation of women was red lipstick and the leading retailer for this was Selfridges as the first to sell the product.

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Throughout the entirety of history there has been a direct correlation between social culture and art culture, including fashion. As we now approach the celebration of one hundred years since the Representation of People Act was passed permitting female suffrage in Britain, what better time to review the ways in which said historical triumph has impacted female fashion: how have we since evolved? Was there a ripple effect extending further than purely suffrage?

Despite being a central landmark of every British high street since 1884, it seems the public has fallen out of love with M&S. In 2017, its profits fell by 64% despite a swanky new campaign and a collaboration with Alexa Chung. This is the latest confirmation of the steady decline in popularity for the institution in the last ten years. The stereotype which has fed this is not unfamiliar; the spectrum of pastel coloured jumpers, stodgy trousers and diamanté embellished loafers does not entice the modern high street shopper. Not even Rosie Huntington-Whitley, whose perfectly sculpted lingerie clad figure is plastered all over the underwear departments of every shop, can entice the British woman to buy her bras there, even though M&S invented the bra. The ‘Angel First Bras’ section has been padding out the measly offerings of British pre-teens for decades. Despite this monumental advent, none of us have returned, generally opting instead for an overpriced, under-supportive Calvin Klein alternative.

M&S has a committed demographic of women who are habitually searching for the polka dot wrap dress of a lifetime. Per Una is the protagonist of the middle aged woman, who wants a mustard bead necklace to match the yellow thread of her embroidered appliqué jumper. These women are generally the ones who endearingly call it ‘Marks’.

However none of us realise how much good stuff there still is in M&S. It is British in a way that no other brand is, and we still identify with it, even if only with nostalgia. Interestingly, M&S always does well in recession. People go back to it because it is classic and it lasts.

It is simply overlooked by the rest of us. I saw a pair of River Island pink satin culottes featured in Grazia (sold out, naturally), and then found an identical pair in M&S (not even dry clean) while

Oliver Briscoe First Year, Law

www.host-students.com @hoststudentsuk /hostkingsquare

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02/01/2018 15:53

Editor Nick Bloom travel@epigram.org.uk

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@EpigramTravel

Deputy Editor Evy Tang @evy_tang15

Online Editor Ellie Caulfield

26.02.2018

Epigram Travel Section 2017/8

@epigram_travel

Name and shame the editors: Who had the biggest carbon footprint in 2017?

This week, as part of Epigram’s green issue, we decided to measure our 2017 carbon footprint. We thought it would be a good way to take stock of the areas - food, home, travel - we can each improve on to reduce our carbon emissions and lead a more environmentally-friendly lifestyle. We used WWF’s Footprint Calculator, a short survey available on their website, and then analysed the results. Crazy to think that, of all the ways you can increase your carbon emissions, travel consistently made the greatest contribution to the Epigram Travel Editors’ footprint last year! Although none of us were close to the green zone, at least we have a better idea of the environmental cost of long-distance travel. If you’re inspired, or shocked, by these results, feel free to do the survey online and check out our tips for shrinking your carbon footprint on the next page. Finally, this is in no way an attempt to dissuade you from travelling - we believe the benefits far outweigh the risks - but it might help you travel more sustainably in the future!

Nick Bloom Editor 176%

Evy Tang Deputy Editor 316%

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Oh my. 316%!!! My fellow editors may be way off the 2020 target, but I’m roaming a distant galaxy. I didn’t think it would be that bad!

So why is my carbon footprint so much worse than the others?

WWF Footprint Calculator

My fellow editors may be way off the 2020 target, but I’m roaming a distant galaxy

WWF Footprint Calculator

I gave off 17.6 tonnes of carbon emissions last year. That’s the same as 18 medium haul flights. Shocking, isn’t it?

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WWF Footprint Calculator

Even if I’m guilty of high-impact travel abroad, I’m better in the UK. I’ve never got the train since I’ve been at Bristol and I only go home by coach once or twice a term. I’m lucky that I live so close to uni and can walk everywhere. None of my flatmates drive; there’s no need to at the moment.

So what can I do in 2018 to shrink my footprint? I’m planning on staying in London this summer - how I still haven’t fully explored such a wonderful city on my doorstep baffles me. I also have one trip to Istanbul planned, but that’s kinda close, isn’t it?! I’m eating a lot less meat for the first time in my life, mainly for health and financial reasons, but this survey has given me added motivation.

We could do a lot more to recycle and minimise waste at home, and I could find a way to avoid taking a long, hot shower twice a day.

It could be worse, though... at least we don’t have a bath here!

Let’s break down the results. According to the survey, the decisions I made and the actions I took were responsible for over 30 tonnes of carbon emissions. Over 90% of these emissions were caused by my 2017 travel spree; I went on several separate trips to the Far East to visit family, travelled to New Zealand, and took every opportunity to explore European cities like Berlin and Oslo.

Over 90% of my emissions were caused by my 2017 travel spree

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So where do I go from here? Clean slate? Start attending environmental sustainability workshops at Bristol? Or wallow in footprint-fuelled regret? Looking at the results, everything I do aside from jetting off to Hong Kong is environmentally-friendly; I recycle, walk everywhere and eat well. But like many other binational students, my family lives far away and I can’t change that. I’m not willing to sacrifice my yearly visit to shrink my footprint, but I could definitely think about exploring the UK instead of hopping on financially cheap but environmentally expensive flights across the Channel. I need to remind myself that the UK has a lot to offer and I should make the most of it!

For once I’m happy I’m in last place, but my footprint is still much bigger than it should be. My biggest downfall was my travelling which contributed 59%. It’s clear why – I went on a trip to China, flew to Hong Kong and went to Malaysia in the summer. I’ll always love travelling and I have big plans for this year, so I’ve decided I’m going to make up for my footprint in other ways… Watch out flatmates, you’d better recycle your cans!

For once I’m happy I’m in last place, but my footprint is still much bigger than it should be

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The average annual footprint in the UK is around 14 tonnes. That means I need to cut my emissions by around 15% just to be on par with most UK citizens, let alone the British government’s targets.

If I make lots of little adjustments, from recycling and walking around Bristol to sourcing my food locally - there are so many great markets in Bristol, check out some awesome recipes by Riverford Organic Farmers - I reckon I can shrink my footprint.

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According to WWF, I gave off 17.6 tonnes of carbon emissions last year. That’s the same as 18 medium haul flights. My carbon emissions are well above the UK average, and over 10 tonnes above the world average. Shocking, isn’t it?

A closer look at my carbon breakdown reveals that travel is the area which is making the biggest contribution to my footprint. I’m not surprised. Few have the chance to visit the US and Myanmar in one year, and multiple shorter flights to European destinations are bound to take their toll. My results in other areas, such as ‘home’ and ‘food’ are better, but far short of exemplary. I have a terrible record switching off lights and could take a much bigger interest in the local sourcing of my food and my meat consumption.

Ellie Caulfield Online Editor 170%

I need to cut my emissions by around 15% just to be on par with most UK citizens

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Before this issue, I never really thought about my CO2 emissions because I was desperate to go on holiday. When it comes to the environment, it’s so easy to be selfish: surely I won’t make a difference on my own? Even if I make an effort, other people won’t.

But now I’m aware of the small things I can do to try and reduce my footprint, I am definitely going to start giving them a go!

Epigram Travel Editors

26.02.2018

29 Are Bristol students concerned about the environmental impact of travel?

Check out the results of Epigram Travel’s survey here!

As part of Epigram’s green issue, Epigram Travel wanted to find out if Bristol students consider the impact their travelling has on the environment. We are so often made aware of the impact our daily habits can have on the environment and the little things we can do to change them. How many times have you been told to use an energy saving lightbulb, or recycle your cardboard? But when it comes to travelling, have we ever even thought about how it effects the environment, let alone what we can do to change it?

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Epigram / Nick Bloom

How many times have you been told to use an energy-saving lightbulb, or recycle your cardboard?

Epigram Travel Editors It wasn’t all doom and gloom though. It doesn’t filter into the top concerns when travelling, but 70% of those surveyed were aware of the negative impact their travelling had on the environment.

According to the results, most students are conscious of the environment, even if it doesn’t dominate their travel plans.

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In our survey, we asked Bristol students their top three concerns when they travelled, including a range of issues from language barriers and food to compatibility with travel companions. Results indicated that cost, safety, and transport within the country were consistently the three most pressing concerns. 95% of students surveyed agreed that financial concerns were a priority. This isn’t surprising - foreign travel is expensive and many students work part-time jobs during the year to save up for summer holidays abroad. However, only 15% of those surveyed listed the impact on the environment in their top three concerns, making this area the second lowest, after homesickness. This result is far more shocking; it’s seems that Bristol students are less concerned with their impact on the environment than they perhaps should be. Finding out whether this is due to a lack of education, awareness or interest would be an interesting follow-up from the survey.

But is there more we can do? These photos may show stunning window seat shots up in the clouds, or about to touch down in green pastures new, but they mask a less beautiful reality. Air travel comes at a great cost to the environment. Shockingly, less than half of those surveyed would change the way they travel to improve the environment. Is this because they don’t know just how easy it is and that small changes can make such a big difference? What is reassuring is that 78% of those surveyed feel they would benefit from being made aware of changes they could make to reduce the environmental impact of their travelling. So in the article below, we’ve come up with five little things you can try next time you jet off to the far corners of the world. We reckon anyone can implement or at least reflect on these tips when they travel. And if Epigram’s green issue really inspires you to protect the environment, why don’t you study sustainability for free? Check out the Bristol Futures courses on Future Learn, they’re great!

Only 15% of those surveyed listed the impact on the environment in their top three concerns

Foreign Affairs Save the polar bears before it’s too late!

According to the WWF and the IUCN Polar Bear Specialist Group, polar bears are in steady decline. Scientists believe that three subpopulations in particular are showing signs of future decline due to climate change. The melting of the ice caps and warming temperatures in the Arctic Ocean are endangering polar bears’ sea ice habitats. These creatures are crucial components of local ecosystems but, despite their thick layer of body fat and a waterrepellent coat, they have been listed as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. The emergence of ‘iceless islands’ starves polar bears of food as they are forced to wander into human settlements. The time to raise awareness is now!

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Flickr / Terry Robinson

Epigram / Nick Bloom

Epigram / Nick Bloom

5 little things you can do for the environment while travelling 1

4

Use public transport

Remember that your suitcase can have an impact on your local surroundings too. Getting excited at the prospect of 30kg luggage allowance? This is a heavier load for the plane/train/bus to carry and uses up more fuel. There’s no need to take your entire wardrobe with you for a beach holiday to Ibiza or a quick city break. Lighter luggage is better for the environment as well as your back. Couple of travel tips: reusable water bottle, spork, wind-up torch.

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Epigram / Nick Bloom

Pack light

Epigram / Nick Bloom

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Epigram / Nick Bloom

Public transport is definitely more environmentally friendly than hiring a car or getting a taxi. Think of all the CO2 emissions you’re preventing! Some of your best chance encounters (check out Olivia Rutherford’s article on page 30) can happen on a bus or train. Plus, public transport is a lot cheaper and you should just think of it as a more immersive, cultural experience!

Be careful with souvenirs

Lots of souvenirs are made from materials which have a devastating impact on the local environment. Think about the trinkets and tat you buy towards the end of your holiday - consider what they’re made of and if you’ll really use them.

Respect your surroundings

The destruction of the ozone layer isn’t the only thing we have to worry about. We need to make a real effort to look after our local surroundings, wherever we are. You can do little things like not littering, staying on trails and public footpaths and not feeding animals. And please, if you are still considering riding elephants in Thailand or catching the train up to Machu Picchu, then why have you even read this far?

5

Consider travelling closer to home

Have you ever considered spending a summer exploring the UK, rather than the Andean foothills or Vietnamese rice paddies?

Although the weather here is unpredictable, at least you won’t have to worry about the language barrier! Travelling shorter distances can seriously help the environment, so why not give it a go?

Most importantly, remember to enjoy the environment as much as possible, while doing your best to protect it!

26.02.2018

30 In Germany, it pays to recycle

Deputy Travel Editor Evy Tang urges the British government to take a leaf out of Germany’s book Returning the bottles is an experience in itself. The bottle disposal unit looks like a sci-fi time machine. It reads the value of each bottle, ‘digests’ it and then prints a receipt which you can use in the supermarket to pay for groceries.

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The bottle disposal unit looks like a sci-fi time machine

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Beer bottles are worth €0.08 and glass bottles or tin cans reward you with a staggering €0.25!

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Cleaning up after a party is less dull when you are reimbursed for your efforts

Flickr / Quinn Dombrowski

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The UK government are examining the Norwegian system and considering how we could set up a similar scheme here

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Epigram / Evy Tang

Many students stockpile bottles and take large IKEA bags of them to the supermarket to return them and get money back.

Sometimes there is a competitive element to it. Cleaning up after a house party is less dull when you are reimbursed for your efforts; the bigger the deposit, the better the party, right?

Many argue that Germany and Norway’s recycling system also has a positive social impact. Homeless people seize the opportunity to earn themselves free coppers by collecting as many tin cans and glass bottles as they can, and scour the local area for recyclable materials. Suddenly, homeless communities are on the move, relying less upon donations from passers-by and more upon money they make themselves. They spend less time on the streets and more time on their feet, actively searching rather than hoping for a lucky break. But are there any drawbacks?

Norway, a pioneer in sustainability and environmental innovation, also boasts a successful recycling system. 97% of bottles in the country are recycled; Michael Gove can only dream of such a high percentage in the UK. But the BBC recently reported that the British government are examining the Norwegian system and considering how we could set up a similar scheme here. Recycling for a few pennies would give students and families an economic incentive and an opportunity to make a difference. According to the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, the number of plastic bags used by shoppers has decreased by 80%.

France has also introduced a ban on plastic cutlery and plates, which they hope to implement in 2020, and the Evening Standard recently launched the Last Straw campaign, hoping to rid the capital of plastic straws.

Installing bottle disposal units in every UK supermarket would be expensive and would take time. The government has budgetary concerns and for the moment, the consultation process and the review of the Norwegian method has only just begun. What’s more, Britain’s established model of tips or recycling centres might come under strain - would we still need them? Finally, some people worry that providing Britain’s homeless community with economic incentives could lead to conflict rather than upward social mobility. Images of people scrapping for used water bottles in the street to live above the poverty line would dominate the headlines.

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In Germany, it quite literally ‘pays’ to recycle. When buying beverages - alcoholic or not - you pay a ‘deposit’ on the bottle which you can get back by returning it to a bottle disposal unit. This deposit, or ‘Pfand’ in German, encourages people to recycle bottles. Different types of bottles have a different value; beer bottles are worth €0.08 and glass bottles or tin cans reward you with a staggering €0.25! Germans often build up a ‘Pfand’ collection and wait until they have too many bottles in their flat before returning them to the supermarket. What a way to make ends meet every month, eh?

Suddenly, homeless communities are on the move

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Despite this, I think the benefits far outweigh the negatives. I give my full support to the UK government adopting a deposit system for bottles and I hope that, in the coming months, my flat here in Bristol will be as full of bottles as my flat in Germany was.

Evy Tang Deputy Travel Editor

Not just a chance encounter Olivia Rutherford reminds us how a little conversation can come as a big surprise

Unexpected conversation #1

Having an unruly imagination can in fact push you towards your dreams. It’s just a case of guiding it in the right direction. Harnessing its power.

Unexpected conversation #3

Earlier that day, I had met a 62 year-old Irish adventurer. This woman had filled her life with a persistent curiosity to discover more. Her journeys had taken her to every continent, mostly passing through rural communities. She was doubted, first for being a woman travelling solo, and now for being a more mature woman travelling alone. But her personal conviction in her adventures was the only driving force she needed. She craved adventure, so she pursued it.

One evening, on the way back to my hostel in Barcelona, I asked a local guy for directions. We began talking and went for a beer. He was a voracious traveller.

He’d lost one of his legs when he was 16 but didn’t let that deter him. ‘You are only what you think of yourself, I gave up worrying about what people thought of me years ago. I make my own definitions’. Self-respect.

Unexpected conversation #4 A month later, I found myself in Barcelona waiting for my flight the next day. I met a Canadian woman in the hostel and we went for lunch together, bonded over the fact that we had both walked the Camino de Santiago. We even discovered we started on the same day, one year apart. At the end of our lunch, ambulances suddenly rushed past us in a sea of searing sirens and the trickle of crowds began to increase to a heavy footfall as people ran from a terrorist attack on Las Ramblas. We dived into a nearby bar and stayed there until late evening.

The Canadian woman was inspiring, reassuring me throughout. I hope that if I ever find myself in a panicked situation again, I’ll be able to offer a similar calming presence to somebody who needs it.

Epigram / Nick Bloom

He was 31, a 2-litre-a-day coffee addict and a seatbelt designer. I was tired because it was past midnight and, with a 5am start the next day, I was in no mood to chat to anybody, let alone this late arrival dorm-mate. However, I sank into a nearby chair and politely slipped into conversation, letting out a heavy internal sigh, unable to excuse myself from this guy’s persistent midnight monologue. He began to take a more spiritual turn after discussing his mechanics job, which had been completely lost on me. He talked seriously about trying to improve his emotional intelligence and understand human nature and the human mind in order to maintain inner stability. We talked about my habit of anxious thinking – he shrugged and quoted Einstein: ‘only imagination sets our limits’ and discussed harnessing your imagination and channelling it positively. Self-determination on our journey; it reminded me of W. B Henley’s ‘I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul’.

Unexpected conversation #2

Life is about learning and a great part of this is learning from other people.

It can be difficult opening your heart to new experiences and people; we are taught to be wary of uncertain situations. But if we talk ourselves out of the opportunity to engage with others, we don’t know what we could be missing out on. It might just be a chance encounter, but it could be an encounter that changes your life.

Olivia Rutherford Second Year, History

friday night

lights ELECTIONS EXPLAINED

10 cool things our reps have done PHOTO HIGHLIGHTS

Friday night lights

GET CAMPAIGNING

bristolsu.org.uk

let's talk about tef

elections explained Who are we actually electing?

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What do these people do?

Where do we start?! They do lots of different things but their main responsibility is to improve the lives of Bristol students.

They might be organising events to help you get to know people better on your course, lobbying the university to diversify your curriculum or working on policy behind the scenes.

#SUyesyou BRISTOL SU ELECTIONS

10 cool things our reps have done this year: 1.

Over 650 students attended Network mingles during Welcome Week in 2017

2.

2500 free sanitary products were handed out as part of the Free Periods Campaign

3.

Over 300 course reps have been trained to make sure you’re getting the most out of your learning experience.

4.

The BME Network worked with UWE to produce an Anti Islamophobia campaign video that was watched by 17,000 people

5.

Women’s Network ran the loudest Reclaim the Night march Bristol has ever seen

6.

The Trans Network have organised private swim sessions for Trans students

7.

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8.

The Wellbeing Network hosted a sold out Pumpkin carving event in the SU with over 70 people attending

9.

Responding to your feedback about the cost of sport at Bristol, we’ve worked with the university to launch WKH FKHDSHVW PRVW à H[LEOH SULFH SODQ \HW

10. Lots and lots of campaigning‌ From Ready to Rent to a month-long Reclaim campaign against sexual violence. Plus, we supported Islamophobia Awareness Month, Black History Month, This Girl Can and LGBT+ History Month across the Bristol campus.

Whatever you’re into there is a role out there that will help you to develop your interests and skills, as well as improving student life at Bristol.

Nominations are open until 12pm on 1 March. Nominate yourself or recommend a friend at EULVWROVX RUJ XN HOHFWLRQV

friday night lights photo highlights

let's talk about tef The Teaching Excellence Framework (otherwise known as the TEF) is a government initiative that ranks universities by Gold, Silver and Bronze.

The TEF measures excellent teaching by looking at different data sources including National Student Survey data on teaching, academic support and assessment, data on student retention, and graduate employment and earnings.

after graduation when they are working in their own studio.

We’re not sure that the current Teaching Excellence Framework is the right way of determining which universities have excellent teaching. We want to hear from you. What is your vision for teaching excellence? What would make your educational experience a ‘gold standard’?

We will be holding six focus groups, We like the idea of a teaching one for each Faculty, to explore with excellence framework, but we’re not you your alternative vision for teaching sure the things that the current TEF excellence. We will also be holding a focuses on or measures are the right ones focus group with staff that are teaching for students. Graduate earnings seem to right now to get their ideas. All these have very little connection to excellent views will then be turned into a report teaching - for example someone might which we will present to the University experience excellent teaching on an arts and the government. degree but might not earn a lot straight

Want to be involved? Sign up to a focus group in your faculty on our website now.

The biggest democratic event of the year. Also free pizza!

Tuesday 27 February, 6pm, Anson Rooms

WHAT'S ON Varsity Colour Run

Saturday 3 March, 12pm, Coombe Dingle So good we’re holding it twice… The second colour run of the year is coming and it’s all about getting out there and having fun. It doesn’t matter whether you are a runner or not – just take part. Included with entry are a Varsity Colour Run T-shirt and sunglasses. Everyone is invited so grab your friends and get ready to be covered in powder paint… what are you waiting for?

varsityseries.com

Get into Volunteering: Homelessness, Tuesday 27 February, 6:30-8:30pm, Balloon Bar Come along for a session with local charities and studentOHG YROXQWHHULQJ SURMHFWV WR ÀQG RXW how you can get in to volunteering in homelessness. This event is free to attend.

Dance Society Presents: Escape 8 – 10 March, 7:30pm, Winston Theatre ESCAPE from reality and enter a world of music and dance. The performance will showcase a variety of pieces from Hip-Hop to Irish, Ballet to Tap and many more as well as award-winning pieces from the society’s competition squad.

Remembering the forgotten T in LGBT+ History, Wednesday 28 February, 6pm, Gromit Room As part of LGBT+ History Month, we invite you to learn and discuss the importance of the trans movement in LGBT+ history, which is often forgotten and replaced with cis gendered representation. We will be showing historic clips and discussing their KLVWRULFDO VLJQLÀFDQFH

Volunteering Ball and Awards Ceremony, Wednesday 28 February, 7pm, Vodka Revolution The RAG, Volunteering and Sustainability network, Bristol SU and TeachFirst are excited to KRVW WKH ÀUVW 9ROXQWHHU %DOO DQG $ZDUGV Ceremony. This event aims to celebrate the fantastic work of student volunteers and student lead projects. Groups, societies and individual volunteers are all welcome.

Postgraduate Thursdays Launch Night Thursday 1 March, 6pm, Balloon Bar We are looking to start a regular night for Postgraduate students to meet up and gather in the same location after university. Come and join us for a relaxed social evening.

Mauritian Cultural Night Saturday 3 March, 6pm, Bristol International Student Centre Come and join us for a taste of the Mauritian culture! An evening full of Mauritian dances and songs along with an insight into the Mauritian cuisine and hospitality.

East Meets West, Sunday 11 March, 6:30pm, Anson Rooms Hindu society’s musical-style stage production, Tamanna, brings you everything from acting and dancing to live music and a thought-provoking storyline.

For more information on all upcoming events see bristolsu.org.uk/events

Epigram

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Editor: Charlie Gearon Deputy Editor: Gabi Spiro Online: Tim Bustin Deputy Online: AshleyYonga @GearonCharlie

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26.02.2018

Film & TV

Escaping the concrete jungle

How Attenborough’s nature documentaries allow urbanites to escape the monotony of city life Charlie Gearon

Film & TV Editor

BBC / Rachel Butler

Chances are, if you’re reading this, you’re currently in Bristol.

As cities go, green spaces are relatively easy to come by here; it’s not uncommon for student houses to have small gardens, parks are dotted around all over the place, and The Downs, in the words of Visit Bristol’s website, ‘give the impression of being surrounded by countryside.’

The Bristol City Council’s clear commitment to the creation and preservation of green spaces is in no small part responsible for the city’s receipt of the title of Europe’s Green Capital in 2015.

But for the more rurally-minded of us, this still leaves something to be desired. Despite the council’s best efforts, ‘an impression’ of countryside only goes so far to help alleviate the pressures and anxieties which accompany urban life for so many young people.

In an increasingly urbanised and industrialised world, creative solutions to the entrapments of city life are needed.

Enter Attenborough. The nature documentaries produced by Sir David Attenborough and the Bristol Natural History Unit of the BBC are hugely popular nationwide. In 2017, Blue Planet II was the nation’s most-watched TV show, with 14.1 million viewers tuning in for the series’ first episode. Bristol in particular has a clear affinity for Attenborough’s work. At the end of 2017, Attenborough visited Bristol to host a free screening of Blue Planet. Some 106,000 people applied for just 200 tickets. That amounts to 530 applicants for each individual ticket.

With figures like these, there clearly exists an almost inexorable attraction which repeatedly and consistently draws viewers in, which compels people to tune in week after week, year after year.

True, the obvious ecological angle of these programmes goes some way toward explaining this, as does the magnetism of Attenborough and his narration style. But if we look back earlier, if we consider where the compulsion to create and view natural history programming originally came from, we’ll see they serve to fulfil some other purpose. This purpose, as I see it, is closely tied to the need for green spaces, to escape the confines of urbanity.

Cinema as a method of escapism has long since been acknowledged. The ability to disassociate from one’s own life, to forget about the mundanity and stress of the everyday and

transport yourself into another world provides the basis and motivation for some of cinema and television’s greatest exports.

The fantasy world of Lord of the Rings, the wealth and civility of Victorian period drams, and the sci-fi landscapes of Star Wars all allow viewers to leave their lives behind them for an hour or two, immersing themselves in the fiction in front of them.

At first, documentary as a form of escapism may seem contradictory. When we watch a show made by Louis Theroux or Stacey Dooley, dealing with inner city drug use or the proliferation of racism, we are not escaping the world, but rather being forced to confront it head on.

This, to an extent, is true of nature documentaries as well.

Particularly in this age of impending ecological disaster, Planet Earth and Blue Planet do frequently force viewers to consider uncomfortable truths about the state that the world is in. But this is by no means the sole purpose of the NHU’s programming. Just as essential to Planet Earth as the awareness of natural disaster is the beauty, the intricacy, the wonder of the natural world. This element of these shows can explain where a lot of Attenborough’s appeal comes from.

Consider this. It’s a Tuesday morning in the middle of term.

You wake up, get ready, and walk into university. Your day is spent almost entirely indoors, in lecture halls and libraries. At six o’clock you walk home. On the way you pass by a few shops, some terraced houses, maybe a tree or two, before getting home, making dinner, and spending the evening in. How many days have you, and countless other students, spent like this: trapped in routine, surrounded by concrete and stone?

The ability to get home on that Tuesday evening, turn on your TV, and be transported to the African Savanah, to the Coral Reef, to the Himalayas, allows viewers to break from this grey monotony, even if just for an hour. Whether consciously or not, when you watch one of these documentaries, you’re engaging with escapism.

For a brief spell, you leave the city behind, and immerse yourself in the wilderness. The value that this element of the NHU’s programming has is criminally under acknowledged. Perhaps this isn’t as important the need to spread awareness about climate change, and to extol a conservationist message. But nevertheless, it’s an important aspect of why natural history programming is as popular as it is.

Joon-ho Bong and Blockbuster Environmentalism Max Langer explores the South Korean director’s use of the blockbuster as environemtalist tool

Netflix / Media Centre

Max Langer

First Year, Film and Television The director Joon-ho Bong started his career directing films in his native South Korea. However, with Snowpiercer (2013) and Okja (2017) he has successfully made the transition to creating intelligent Western blockbusters.

Snowpiercer follows a society living in the aftermath of an apocalyptic climate event where all life has been destroyed. The remnants of humanity live on a train that continuously travels around the world, with people split into the literal classes of the train.

With this world established, Joon-ho treats the train as almost a social experiment, with classes battling one another for control.

But, on top of this class upheaval he is able to probe how society might react to extensive climate change. Not that we will all end up on a train, but might society shift even further to a system of haves and have-nots? And, will we bounce back?

Joon-ho followed up the critically acclaimed Snowpiercer by signing a deal with Netflix to direct Okja, a quirky science fiction drama. Making waves on the festival circuit due to its online release, it still received largely favourable reviews and continued Joon-ho’s interest in challenging the ideals of modern society.

The film is much blunter with its approach to environmentalism than Snowpiercer, following a young farmgirl and a band of animal-

rights activists as they try to rescue Okja, a ‘super pig’, which is supposed to be the answer to world hunger. Throughout, the film is very honest with it’s view towards the environment, deriding slaughterhouses, animal testing and genetic modification. However, rather than exploring the societal reaction to climate change, as before, Joon-ho focuses in on a corporation’s greed and exploitation of the environment. In fact, the public are almost infantilised, not questioning what is put in front of them, turning a blind eye to the cruelty behind the meticulously marketed facades.

Both films take strange premises, a post-apocalyptic train journey or a genetically modified super pig and use them to comment on economic and environmental issues. Badly handled this could devolve in to a mess, but Joon-ho is able to keep the balance through some simple decisions on how he tells the story.

The larger environmental problems within the story world are largely ignored. Instead, Joon-ho imitates Hollywood, telling a personal story about the protagonists, sweetening what is otherwise the bitter pill of environmentalism. In Snowpiercer we follow a lower-class revolutionary and in Okja a child who doesn’t want to lose their friend.

By exploring viewpoints through the lens of these protagonists Joon-ho can approach challenging topics without alienating his audience. By stealing the best bits from Hollywood and mixing it with cerebral world building, the films manage to be both enjoyable to watch and raise questions about how we care for and adapt to our environment.

Over many years Hollywood has perfected the blockbuster, refining it to extract the most enjoyment and profit. Joon-ho Bong has shown that it can also be used to say so much more.

Epigram 26.02.2018

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Mountain review - not summit for everyone Repetitive, tedious and dull... Eimear Simpson slates the beautiful but boring nature documentary

Pixabay

Eimear Simpson

Second year, English and Classics Mountain is genuinely beautiful, fantastically scored, and comfortably narrated by the dulcet tones of Willem Dafoe. Yet unfortunately, for everything the film has going for it, Mountain is pretty awful. It’s repetitive and slow, and as much as you hope for something to happen, this film has no intention of going anywhere.

Mountain could be summarised as ‘mountains are big, old, resilient, and don’t care about you. People like to climb them’. Done.

And if you wondered whether the film goes into any further depth: no. It simply comes up with different, fancier ways of wording the exact same thing, over and over.

Documentaries can have depth, emotion, and at the very least, information. Mountain has none of these things. The start summarises key ideas that the film will ‘explore’, and then repeats them. And then repeats them. And then repeats them.

The topic moves to the first person to climb Everest. What does this film want to teach us about this ground-breaking achievement?

Nothing, you get a 3-second still shot. Oh, you wanted to know more? Too bad, Willem Dafoe has moved on to telling us for the sixth time that mountains are indeed large.

There is a shot of a monk. Who is he? Does he live in the mountains? Will we learn about his coexistence with these natural wonders and those who climb them? Well too bad, you’ll meet him again in another shot 40 minutes later. Oh look. He’s sitting down now. We still know nothing about him, and guess what? We never see him again.

Some shots of animals and one sentence about the environment?

Is this theme ever revisited? You already know the answer. Pseudointellectual statements about people climbing is well and good, but it honestly feels like someone sat down with a thesaurus, found every way to reword ‘people like to climb things’, made a list of everything they came up with, and then read it to the sound of an orchestra for an hour and fourteen minutes.

If the film had no words, Mountain would have been pretty good.

Maybe a specific taste to sit through, but still good. It is sad to think that the good is so let down by the writing. The views are breathtaking, the photography is excellent, and the Australian Chamber Orchestra sublimely drifts music to take you through the experience. Oh, but there goes Willem Dafoe saying hey, did you know people like to climb these bad boys? But with sixty more syllables and zero more meaning than last time.

So you’re a uni student? You’ve revised hard for your mountain exam. Wait, oh no! You stayed out partying and forgot to revise anything! Instead, you have brief notes that say ‘mountain = big + climbable’. You sit down in that exam hall and you do your best to write that essay anyway. What do you end up with? Apparently an acclaimed documentary.

If you genuinely enjoyed Mountain then it’s probably for one of three reasons: 1) The beautiful visuals 2) The fantastic opera 3) It seems intelligent and you’re scared people will think you don’t ‘get’ it if you don’t say you like it It tries for a story about resilience and adventure, but gets stuck in showy language (and for a film about humanity’s relationship with mountains, it’s pretty oriented around rich, white, foreign men

rather than… I don’t know... the people that actually live there?)

Mountain was so monotonous I would rather climb one of these mountains in my underwear than sit through it again. As I thought it couldn’t get better, it decided to throw in some weird, judgemental curveballs. People only want to climb a mountain for internet views and likes. What? It constantly reminds you of the human need to climb, to conquer, and celebrates how far we have come, then suddenly jumps on deriding anyone who wants to climb. Again: what? Why are we suddenly all arseholes for wanting to do what you told us we wanted to do? Do you think people didn’t climb for fame before the internet age? Are millennials incapable of wanting to do something unrelated to social media likes? Also what? Willem’s moved on again to how old mountains are, so you don’t get much time to work out why the attitude changed so rapidly.

I am filled with slight shame when I say I nearly dozed off, but see how you fare after an hour of soft music and wide shots of nature’s beauty and oh my god Willem Dafoe can you shut up for one minute yes we know mountains are old you told us twenty minutes ago. It has a summary, a closing statement, then a long shot of a mountain as the orchestra fades. Oh wait, did I mention they are big? The music picks back up and three more minutes of talking. It pulled this shtick a good three times, after the second false end I heard the person behind me audibly groan. More people just got up and left. Oh the envy I felt.

Yes, it is beautiful; yes, it sounds great; but it’s a fish tank, not a movie. At absolute best, it’s something pretty to put in the background, not something to sit and watch. Appreciate it for what it is, lose the pretentious monologue, and you might have something, but right now I just know that if I ever hear Willem Dafoe say ‘mountain’ again my brain will implode.

Food for thought - do pro-vegan documentaries scaremonger or promote a greener way of life?

Will Snelling gives his personal response to What the Health as part of the wider Vegan film conversation Will Snelling

First Year, English Gone are the days when veganism simply conjured ideas of pious hippiedom, dry salads and scary PETA activists. Now, to be vegan is virtually a fashion statement; just look at the spread of YouTubers who rake in thousands of views documenting their aestheticallypleasing, guilt-free lifestyles. While fashions dissipate over time, and YouTubers in general make me queasy, there is cause for the environmentally-conscious to celebrate: this shift away from meatconsumption feels more deeply ingrained and long-term than just another fad. In fact, the number of vegans has increased by 160 per cent in the last ten years, and vegan supermarket ranges are multiplying. I am heartened by this, even as a lowly pescatarian, since it is clear the environmental cost of creating animal products (including, tragically, cheese) is fairly legendary. Thankfully attitudes seem to be changing, but that prompts the question: why the sudden vegan explosion?

The viral popularity of pro-vegan documentaries certainly looks like one of the causes in bringing the lifestyle into the mainstream.

They are extremely prevalent on Netflix, home to Cowspiracy, Forks

Over Knives, Food Choices, Food Inc., Live and Let Live, What the Health, and countless others. Having previously studiously avoided these documentaries, preferring to spend ninety minutes of my life doing literally anything other than watch grey-scale footage of depressed cows, I thought I should watch at least one to determine whether they are really a force for good in promoting a meat-free lifestyle.

I chose What the Health, directed by and starring Kip Andersen, who was also behind the similarly wave-making Cowspiracy; I was attracted to the controversy that surrounded What the Health when it came out last year, which included various rebuttals of its science.

Indeed, What the Health doesn’t hold back with its incendiary, seemingly logic-defying claims, including but not limited to: an egg is as bad as five cigarettes, and milk causes osteoporosis. The viewer is bombarded with one serious-looking expert with ‘M.D’ after their name after another, expounding with dramatic certainty the link between consuming animal products and an early death.

Gruesome footage of meat production, and moody background music and colour pallet lend the documentary an intense horrormovie feel. You’re bludgeoned with terrifying assertions that what you’re eating is killing you and the planet, and it kind of works.

By the end I felt sufficiently disgusted to give up meat, dairy and

eggs forever. Or so I thought, until about five minutes after viewing when the queasy feeling wore off. The flaw inherent in this film and so many similar ones is that it relies so heavily on shock and awe, that it isn’t quite able to actually overcome any deeper-seated skepticism. A change to a vegan diet is presented as the answer to every ill, but surely our biology is more complicated than that? It is accepted by scientists that we barely know anything about what food is really good for us, or bad for us. The documentary acts as though science is finished, and we have the answers to a long and happy life; this dogmatic certainty is more suited to cultish religions like Scientology. Lots of the people in the documentary are nutritionists who promote veganism, or people with vegan cookbooks to sell; there’s little sense of a real scientific consensus around the health benefits of veganism.

I’m all for more people cutting out meat, however What the Health’s anti-science and argument for foods like eggs and fish as life-threatening may well taint the movement as another dangerous fad diet. Its attitude to food promotes a dangerous kind of paranoia over what it’s okay to eat, which may be conducive to eating disorders. Instead, we should promote the environmental argument, since the ecological imperative of cutting down on meat is so great and is less dependant on dodgy science. The health argument for veganism evidently only leads us into murky waters.

Epigram 26.02.2018

37

An analysis of the colour green in Cinema Gregory Pollard looks at the symbolic and psychological significance of the colour green in The Shape of Water Gregory Pollard Film & TV Writer

Youtube / Fox Searchlight

However, it is this very reason of mundanity that makes the audience have to peer into the details of the storyline, into the lives of the characters. This is only part of the interesting psychological uses of the colour green in the film. Also, the pervasive green colour can signify greed and the corrupting nature of power, wealth and influence portrayed through the antagonist (Strickland). The senseless need to encapture and torture of the green ‘Fish’ only for the reason of not letting the Russians have it, embodies theses ideals.

Going further, scenes of Strickland chewing green candy shows us his dominance and his forceful nature over folly. The fact that he buys his car because green is the colour of ‘the future’ shows he strives for wealth and power.

Recurring colours tend to be associated with a character or feeling. Changes in colour show the transition of a character or situation. In The Shape of Water, we see that as Elisa falls in love with the ‘Fish’ she dons a red necktie, jacket and hairband. The sparse use of red makes it take on a new meaning. It can be defined as

Youtube / Fox Searchlight

The use of colour and colour schemes is one of most pronounced ways of illustrating ideas throughout a film. It can be used for coherence or discordance throughout the storyline and a lot rides on it since it influences the first visual you get from watching a film. Traditionally, costuming, set-design, location and make-up allowed cinematographers to control colour compared to presentday digital remastering and film grating.

Part of the narrative control of a film lies in the manipulation of colour. For example, explosions of colour can signify childhood and whimsy. The opposite, sparse use of colour, achieved by colour palettes can give selected colours greater importance than otherwise imagined. By saving these colours for certain scenarios or characters, the colour provides an added dimension of meaning such as in Hero.

Colour is powerful if used correctly since it evokes a cognitive response in its audience. An example of this is the colour green in film. Green gives us a sense of hope and virility (when seen in shots of crops, mountains and landscapes), or it can signify mundanity (when the scene is bathed in it) or connote monsters; usually portrayed as green. Classic examples of this are seen in the film The Matrix and every silver-screen adapted swamp monster ever created.

The Shape of Water, directed by Guillermo Del Toro, comes to mind when discussing green in film. The entire film uses a split colour palette. The scenes are bathed in varying hues of green. Red is seen interjected throughout the film with greater significance because of its sparsity. The colour scheme is meant to signify the mundanity of the life of the characters that the movie involves. In the film, Elisa, gets up every day to the same monotonous routine while working in a secret government facility. Life is planned, predictable and boring and hence bathed in a green hue. Even her clothes are green.

love, but goes deeper to suggest a subtle but proud change in the character. She changes from being a meek and passive person in her life to a more defiant even to her authorities. She gains power over her mundane life. When Strickland gets orders to hunt down the ‘Fish’ he shows his true colours, while reciting a Bible verse. He is bathed in blood (red) during his transformative moment.

Beyond this, the colour green could also be tied to rebirth, renewal and inexperience if we view the protagonist through a scrutinizing lens. Elisa, despite her mundane life, hopes for change which she finds in the ‘Fish’. It could be that the ‘Fish’ is her ‘future’ since green is viewed as the ‘colour of the future’.

In summary, the use of colour in film can have narrative significance brought about through careful design both pre- and post-production. This being the first visual we see and having a psychological effect has meaning when used in film. In the case of The Shape of Water where a split palette is used, the scenes bathed in green hues and the selective use of red give the film a level of coherence and sometimes discordance that is as important as the lives of the characters that Guillermo Del Toro portrays.

Editors’ Picks Start ’em young: the best children’s films that deal with environmental issues

Youtube /Ksb hav T

Youtube / Disney Movie Trailers

Wikimedia Commons

Charlie Gearon

Tim Bustin

Ashley Yonga

Editor

Online Editor

Deputy Online Editor

Bambi (1942)

Jungle Book (2016)

African Cats (2011)

Alicia Wakeling On its surface, Bambi is a personal tragedy, a story of the Few childhood classics are justified a CGI-laden remake, but Year,ofFilm development of a child made to suffer andSecond grow because the & Television 2016’s The Jungle Book’s mature, coming-of-age story is a worthy loss of a parent. It’s easy to get caught in the sadness, and treat the entire film as a study in empathy.

But beyond this, it can quite clearly be seen as an indictment of hunting practices, or perhaps more generally of humanity’s attitudes toward the natural world. The principle protagonist of the film is not a monster, not a fellow animal as in, say, The Lion King, but rather man. Man hunts animals, man kills Bambi’s mother and burns the animals’ settlement, forcing them to relocate.

For the date of its production, it is a surprisngly damning critique of humanity’s arrogance toward nature, and serves as an effective piece of envrionmentalist cinema.

addition to the colourful world set up by its 1967 predecessor.

Whilst ‘man-cub’ Mowgli struggles to find his place in his wolf pack, he’s tossed between warring animals fighting for revenge, power, respect or other such adult things as family and sweet, succulent honey.

It’s a fleshed-out world, that doesn’t rely on it’s painstakingly detailed effects or those classic songs, and uses it’s a-list cast perfectly – Idris Elba’s Shree Khan is more terrifying than the original and Bill Murray’s Baloo is sweeter than ever.

There was a series of documentaries that Disney released under Disney Nature which brought awareness to certain animals in desperate need of protection. One of these documentaries was African Cats, filmed over a few years in the Maasai Mara reserve of Kenya. The documentary follows the lives of a cheetah and a lioness as they attempt to protect themselves and their young.

The film supports the work of those protecting the Maasai Mara from poachers, and reminds people of the beauty of these animals, the fragility of their homes and show how much they depend upon their environment as they’ve known it in order to survive.

The film is remarkably touching However, at its heart, through its messages of family, perseverance and love this documenatary encourages us all to look after our Earth not just for us but for the millions of magestic animals that depend on it.

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Epigram

39

Arts

@EpigramArts

Online Editor: Helena Raymond-Hayling Deputy Online Editor: Avital Carno

Editor: Alina Young Deputy Editor: Anna Trafford

26.02.2018

arts@epigram.org.uk

Think green with Arts

Arts Online Editor Helena Raymond-Hayling gets creative with crafts to upcycle your waste materials Helena Raymond-Hayling Arts Online Editor

Epigram / Helena Raymond-Hayling

Ever wondered what to do with that old skirt that has a cute pattern but a gnarly stain? What about those bits of broken necklace which you have no idea how to fix properly? Unleash your inner creativity, gather those odds and ends fit for the bin and give them a new purpose!

I bought for £6 on Amazon with plenty of spare glue sticks. A must-have for any keen artist, maker or crafter. These now dangle round my room and sway in the wind, and I think they look pretty great.

//WINDCHIME / SCULPTURE Cream chargers are incredibly wasteful, after big club nights and parties they litter the streets of Bristol. When left on the ground in grassy festival fields, these metal canisters can injure the roaming animals and damage agricultural equipment once the event is over.

These metal canisters are not recyclable in domestic waste, and difficult to recycle altogether, so they are often sent to landfill.

Frustrated by their wastefulness, I sought a way to repurpose these canisters - into ART. For these, I have used garden wire (Wilko), pipe cleaners (Wilko), bits of yarn (knocking about), sharpie pens, canisters, beads and other bits of broken necklaces, and put it all together with hot glue. For this you’ll need a glue gun, which

in a box in a huge tangle, so I decided to make something to display the bits I had and use up odds and ends I had in my ‘stuff to deal with later’ drawer.

I came across this twig in a park on my way home, where I was taking my dog for a walk. She did try to steal it from me, but she was no match for my creative intentions.

I used hot glue to affix all kinds of bits and bobs to the stick, and because the stick is really porous, they hold really well. Belt buckles, buttons, broken necklace bits, brooches are all stuck on, as well as bits of yarn and string.

In the fork of the twig I have glued a bit of scrap fabric which came from an old skirt which was ripped and stained. Through the fabric I pierce my earrings, and the whole thing is hung on the wall with a piece of string and a drawing pin.

//MAKEUP PADS

I must confess, I am really bad at remembering to wear jewelry, and will sleep and shower in the same necklace for a week before remembering to change it. All the bits of jewelery I had were

After seeing some adverts for beeswax food wraps, I decided to give making them a go, and was pleasantly surprised by how easy they were.

For this, I used scrap fabrics (again, bits of old clothes mainly), and a pack of soy candle wax flakes from Amazon.

The idea is that you iron the wax into the fabric between two layers of greaseproof paper (so to not get wax on your ironing board). When they’re done, you can wrap food in them and keep the wraps in the right shape using the heat of your hands for a couple of seconds.

These are a great alternative to cling film and foil, which are often difficult to recycle and costly to keep buying and throwing away.

Instagram / _craftbrazil

//JEWELLERY HOLDER

//FABRIC FOOD WRAPS

Epigram / Helena Raymond-Hayling

Epigram / Helena Raymond-Hayling

These guys are really simple. Cotton pads and makeup wipes are so wasteful, and non recyclable, so I wanted to make myself a reusable alternative.

You do need some amount of sewing capabilities to make them look super cute, but you can make them with no sewing at all.

Here I have used two scrap fabrics: one of fleecy material (was actually a fleece baby blanket) with discs of other scrap material (bits of old shorts, tops, tote bags etc.)

To make them round I drew round a mug with a marker pen, and cut out the circles in equal numbers from each fabric. Next I lined up the circles and used a zigzag stitch to sew round the edges with my sewing machine. I only did this to make them all look pretty and different, but the bits of fleecy material on their own would have done the job just fine.

I chucked these inside a pillow case and put them through the wash with all my other clothes.

They have survived a year already without falling apart. These make amazing presents; I have a couple of satisfied friends who now have a greener way to remove their makeup.

A4 paper folded in half, and stapled along the centreline. Use this as a base to create your zine, sticking bits and pieces down as you find them.

The best part about this is you don’t need any particular artistic skills; anyone can do this and have a really good time of it!

//ZINES This is one of my favourite rainy day activities.

The idea is so simple: using old magazines, flyers and newspapers (I used the stack of paper I acquired from the fresher’s fair), some scissors, marker pens and ordinary pritt stick, you can tell a story through random images and both borrowed words and your own.

I recommend starting with two sheets of plain

Do you have any creative ways of using recycled goods? Share them with us on our social media:

Epigram Editors get ecoconscious with their dissertations    Alex Boulton Co-Editor in Chief My dissertation is on how Life magazine, one of the most famous American photojournalism magazines, reported on and photographed the growing environmental movement of the 1960s.

Throughout my degree, my main interests have been the history of journalism, environmentalism and 1960s America, so I was keen to incorporate all of them into my final piece of coursework.

The ‘environment’ wasn’t a concept before the 1960s. Events of the decade are credited with bringing an environmental consciousness to America, such as Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring (1962), the Santa Barbara Oil spill (1969) and Paul Ehrlich’s Population Bomb (1968). Americans increasingly became concerned with pollution and population growth, and a series of legislation from Presidents Johnson and Nixon soon followed.

The aim of my dissertation is to assess how Life reported on these crucial developments. It

ultimately argues that it was flawed in its presentation of the environment, prioritising white middle class concerns and ignoring questions surrounding environmental injustice.

Charlie Gearon Film Editor My dissertation was entitled ‘Sexing Nature: The Feminisation of the Environment in Thoreau and Hemingway’. The main reason behind my decision to write on this was an interest in the idea of ecofeminism. Essentially, ecofeminism looks at the intersection between the oppression of women and the oppression of nature. The theory goes that, historically, nature has always been regarded as feminine. That might sound a little outlandish, but if you stop to think about it, it makes a lot of sense. The language we use to describe the environment is, generally, feminine; Western literature has long since referred to the environment as ‘Mother Earth’ or ‘Mother Nature,’

a nurturing, fertile presence who gives us life and sustains us.

The danger in viewing nature as female is that, owing to Western society’s historical androcentrism, the environment will be viewed as lesser than the human, cultural world which has predominantly been associated with men. Some contemporary ecofeminists attempt to solve this problem by rejecting the woman-nature link. Others embrace the femininity of nature, but deny that this needs to be a source of oppression. Either way, the debate is a fascinating one, and once you do a little digging, it’s fairly remarkable how widespread the issue is, and how ingrained our conception of the environment as feminine is.

Noa Leach Co-Editor in Chief I study English, but I have always had a deep affinity in both my personal and academic lives

with wildlife, nature, and the environment. I am still in the reading stages of my dissertation now, but I am planning to focus on Darwin’s legacy in literature by conducting eco-critical readings of D. H. Lawrence and Thomas Hardy. I am interested in how the use of anthropocentrism in fictional and non-fictional writing paradoxically both joins and separates humans from their environment. This also includes an exploration of ecofeminism, where the use of the ‘woman’ in literature as either a ‘Mother Earth’ or ‘Eve’ figure can be either helpful or detrimental to understandings of both women and nature.

I am particularly interested in how arts and sciences can combine to communicate conservation issues, as ‘science’ is often inaccessible to many audiences. This is something that I wish to continue after university, and which I think may be most successfully achieved through the use of entertainment; people don’t want to be blamed for things they have inadvertently done wrong, but rather feel positive in making choices that will benefit them.

Epigram

26.02.2018

40

@EpigramArts

The art of making a bicycle

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In honour of the Green Issue Hannibal Knowles sings the praises of one of the greenest ways to get around and explains why custom-made bikes should be considered art Hannibal Knowles Second Year, Geography

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The glory of handmade bikes is that no two will be exactly the same

When someone like Sacha White of the Vanilla Workshop in Portland makes one of his famous Speedvagen bikes, he analyses contact points with the bike, and considers weight distribution, riding style, intended use and flexibility. Only after having exact measurements dialled in on a jig can any sort of fabrication start.

Tubes are then cut to length, usually from steel but sometimes even titanium. They’re often double-butted for strength and, once cut, put in a vice ready for welding. The glory of handmade bikes is that no two will be exactly the same.

Despite makers such as Demon Frameworks of Southampton and Firefly Bicycles of Boston, MA having the most incredible finishes on their brazing and welding respectively, there will often be a discriminating factor between every single bike they produce. Many hand-builders

The marriage of a handmade frame with hand-made componentry is something quite spectacular

Once a frame has been created to specifications it is time to build the bicycle into something recognisable. It’s not just frames which can be hand built, but components too.

Many riders value quality componentry over a quality frame, as they lust over groupsets, wheels, handlebars and seat-posts; the marriage of a hand-made frame with hand-made componentry is something quite spectacular though, even glorious.

Paul Component Engineering of Chico, CA are one of the finest examples of hand-machined parts that money can buy. Their anodising techniques bring an array of colour options to your bike, so you can really ‘pimp your ride’ and go for an extremely custom and individual look.

Or you can just keep it low-key on the colours, and enjoy the functionality and longevity of their products.

Another company – White Industries, also of California - makes some of the most incredible cranks and hubs in the world. However, in the UK they’re rarer than a strand of unicorn’s tail hair, so one can imagine my excitement when I found a set of their cranks from the mid-90s on a discarded frame in my godfather’s shed. Not only was it a set of White Industries cranks but a set from a one-off run that they commissioned to have forged by Sugino, of track cycling fame, in Japan. This illustrates the effect of elation that these types of products can have on people.

Visiting Chris King Precision Components in Portland demonstrated to me how much research, design and thought goes into optimising something that is so basic and necessary as a headset. This is set of components that allow the bike to steer. The piece is designed for life and not to be discarded or replaced. It can be serviced and performs better than any other headset available.

One of the beauties of this sort of product, as alluded to by Robert Penn in his book All About The Bike, is the fact that they could be perceived

Epigram / Katy Hubbuck

Bicycles mean many different things to many people across the world. For some, it’s a vehicle to enable them to commute to work, for others a bicycle is a route to stepping out of poverty by giving them a means to take goods to market and break the subsistence cycle. However, for some people, bicycles are a lifestyle. Whether that is the artisan frame-builder, component manufacturer or the enthusiastic rider, they all live and breathe bike.

The culture of handmade bicycle building is most strongly present on the West Coast of the USA. There are countless hand-builders who call that part of the world home. Brands like Stinner of California, Breadwinner of Oregon and Erickson of Washington epitomise the hand-built culture along the length of the coast.

Having visited numerous workshops on the West Coast it quickly became clear to me how much work goes into a single bicycle. The process starts with a rider consultation, as most handmade bikes will be made for individual customers. There are a myriad of things to take into account during the process, which is far-removed from the classic bike shop inseam measurement to fit a bike.

have a signature flourish that instantly earmarks a bicycle as their own work, like Rick Hunter’s iconic wishbone seat stays that have the most incredible and delicate curvature to them.

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as goods that stand for utopian consumerism.

One is buying it with the intention not to replace, break or wear it out. If more companies and industries took an attitude like this we’d see wastage going down, and quality of goods going up – a win-win situation.

There is a different joy that cycling brings that transcends the material realm

A bike cannot be a bike without wheels.

Wheels are, in fact, always far better when made by hand than by a machine. Certain builders such as Steve “Gravy” Gravenites of Gravy Wheels in Marin, CA, have built a global reputation as the best in the business. Steve was part of the crew that supposedly pioneered the sport of mountainbiking in the 1970s with the likes of Joe Breeze and he still builds wheels today. When an experienced wheel-builder laces the spokes and then adjusts the tension until the wheel is perfectly round, it is poetry in motion. By the time it is complete over a ton of force will be held within the spokes, and it should hold true for many years.

Although it may seem shallow and materialistic to take such joy in physical items for which one has to pay through the nose,

there is a different joy that cycling brings that transcends the material realm. From those who love to ride, and extract pure atavistic pleasure from the act, to those who love to clamber into the pain cave by cycling up and over mountain ranges, most will agree they have an intrinsic bond with the machine with which they share all those special experiences. That bond is extended when craftsmen leave their individual mark on your bicycle and componentry, each pouring a little bit of their love and soul into each item they create.

The cycling community is one where enthusiasm is rife. I experienced an incredible manifestation of this when I borrowed from a friend some Bruce Gordon Rock ‘n’ Road tires for a gravel race on a Scottish island and many people would run up to me, with a twinkle in their eye, and demand to know how on Earth I got my hands on them, which would of course result in a lengthy conversation and in turn a tightening of relationships within the community.

Although this article has focussed on the artistic side of bicycle making in the USA, building is prolific and steeped in history in the UK too with brands from Rourke to Shand bearing the standard for Britain. I haven’t even been able to touch on the environmental benefits of cycling that are seen in cities such as Portland and Copenhagen, as well as the proven positive effects of riding on mental wellbeing.From pure utility, to racing machines, bicycles are bringing a lot of unbridled happiness to people around the globe.

Epigram / India Vecqueray & George Gill

Epigram

26.02.2018

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Inspired by nature Epigram Arts ran a competition asking for ecoconscious illustrations for Epigram’s cover. Here are our favourite runners-up

Epigram / Rebecca Watkins

Epigram / Kylie Guan Epigram / Gabi Spiro

We loved the diversity of the submissions, as they incorporated a celebration of the natural world as well as an ecoconscious message. Epigram’s cover choice Harry Coke was chosen for its reference to unncessary waste, especially within the University thanks to the Balloon Bar symbol. It wasn’t all doom and gloom, though, as the image is optimistic for regrowth and regeneration in the future.

We loved Kylie Guan’s lush urban landscape appeals to our Utopian vision of a city that can both nurture the natural world and city life. Rebecca Watkin’s is a simple yet striking warning that our planet is not as resilient as we assume. Gabi Spiro’s woodland snapshot reminds us of the English countryside that we need to protect.

//COMING UP IN BRISTOL// SPOKEN WORD:

PERFORMANCE:

- The Cherry Orchard at Bristol Old Vic 01.03.18 - 07.04.18

- Blahblahblah at The Wardrobe - Lavrak Circus Extravaganza at - ‘Material’ by Iman Issa at Centrespace Spike Island Theatre 02.03.18 - 07.03.18 17.02.18 - 15.04.18 05.03.18

Michael Boyd directs Chekhov’s final masterpiece at Bristol Old Vic. It promises wild humour and piercing sadness. This adaptation has been translated by award-winning playwright, Rory Mullarkey.

Another spoken word performance in this popular series at The Wardrobe Theatre. Featured performers this month include Zia Ahmed, Maria Ferguson and Kareem Brown.

Centrespace presents a week of circus with an abundance of other performance arts, from spoken word to burlesque. There’s something different every night so check out their website for the programme.

THEATRE:

ART:

Spike Island’s latest installation explores the relationship between history, memory, language and objects with a series of ‘displays’ that question the function of public sculpture and monuments.

Epigram

26.02.2018

Music

@epigrammusic Editor: Alexia Kirov

Deputy Editor: Kate Hutchison

Online Editor: Joe Samrai

music@epigram.org.uk

The vinyl revival: can it be justified in the Spotify age?

Jess Williamson argues that vinyl is a worthwhile use of energy and materials, given its unrivalled sound quality, its longevity, and its both aesthetic and artistic value. However, as the company Piuma has proved, vinyl could be made in a more eco-friendly way in the future...

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The highest ‘per-stream’ pay out is a measly $0.0084 to the artist; the lowest is $0.006

Of course, this vinyl resurgence means that new materials are being used to create something which could be digitally streamed with little environmental consequence. Quite rightly, people are questioning whether it can be justified given the current environmental state of our planet; some may argue that the satisfaction of a crackle on a vinyl is not worth the environmental cost. While digital streaming and downloads are unequivocally, at present, the more eco-friendly options, I don’t believe that the vinyl revival should be demonised. While the mentality that each individual doing their small part to reduce their environmental impact is indeed justified, it is hard to believe that there are not larger issues to be tackled before we wage war on vinyl. In the US, more than 500 million single-use plastic

In the US, more than 500 million single-use plastic straws are used each day, compared with just over 14 million records sold in the US in the whole of 2017 Once a record has been made, it is very rarely disposed of - who buys a record just to throw it away weeks or months later? To me, buying a record is more akin to investing in a piece of art rather than downloading music; they are collectors’ items, treasured objects that you may hold onto for most of your life. What’s more, vinyl can also literally be made into art if the owner decides they are done with it in its original form.

I’ve seen them made into bowls, clocks and wall pieces through either cutting them or melting and warping them; they inspire creativity in reusing them. Not forgetting, the resale market for vinyl is huge. The carbon footprint of a vinyl record is stretched out over significantly more time than either streaming or downloading, through resale or reuse.

The energy that has gone into making the records, though it may be more than that for streaming, has not been used in vain. Though vinyl production uses new materials, it is not wasteful with them - even the packaging is all kept along with the actual record, bar perhaps a plastic cover to protect the outer sleeve before sale. You’d be better off sticking to your vinyl and investing in a reusable water bottle instead of contributing to the 60 million plastic bottles that end up in landfill every day. It seems to me that we should prioritise pressuring the government to invest in nationwide recycling systems, or holding corporate giants accountable for their waste before we start attacking the arts.

After a successful Record Store Day (2016)

we must push harder for sustainable methods of production so that we can support both the artists and the environment.

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All-time alternative heartthrob and vegan king Johnny Marr has been flying the ‘help the environment’ flag since before the keep cup.

The impact of The Smiths’ 1985 album Meat Is Murder often causes controversy, but this seminal LP still helps rally support for animal rights activism and is a point of pride for Marr as the vegetarian diet helps reduce CO2 emissions, water consumption, deforestation to reduce climate change.

His consistent and pure representation of the vegan lifestyle is perfect for a ‘nonpreachy’ stance on how to help the planet.

You can hear Johnny chat about his vegan roots and the wonders of herbal tea on Shaun Keaveny’s new Show & Tell podcast.

You’d be better off sticking to your vinyl and investing in a reusable water bottle instead...

Having said that, there’s no disputing that there needs to be more investment in renewable and eco-friendly sources for music. While I support the vinyl revival there is no reason that it shouldn’t be made more sustainable. In 2015, an ‘eco-vinyl’ was produced in Los Angeles by Piuma, recorded and produced with 100% renewable energy, made using recycled and renewable materials and planting trees to offset carbon from the production process. Remarkably, this eco-vinyl was sold for only $15, $1 of which was donated to plant trees in the Angeles national forest, and because of this, the record is actually carbon-positive.

Many popular records today cost much more than $15, and Piuma has shown that sustainable options do exist without costing the earth or the consumer. Perhaps, instead of attacking vinyl as a method of listening to music, moving forward,

A Marr-velous effort: how Johnny Marr helps the environment Laura Mallinson First Year, English

Flickr / David Burke

Epigram / Alexia Kirov

A nice haul from Rough Trade

straws are used each day, compared with just over 14 million records sold in the US in the whole of 2017. Would it not be better to exchange having three straws in your drink on a night out for a record that will last and bring significant amounts of joy?

Epigram / Alexia Kirov

Vinyl has made an unprecedented comeback in the last ten years: in 2016 vinyl sales reached a 25-year high, overtaking that of digital downloads for the first time, and in 2017 4.1 million vinyl records were sold just in the UK. Not only are original records becoming more popular, but artists are now releasing new albums in the vinyl format despite it also being available through music streaming and download. There is a fundamental reason for this resurgence; vinyl is a way for fans to physically display their love for the music, while many prefer the more wholesome sound quality with its occasional crackles, compared to that of a digital download.

Vinyl is also a way for fans to financially support artists, as streaming services such as Spotify are not a main source of income. The highest ‘perstream’ pay out is a measly $0.0084 to the artist; the lowest is $0.006. From a moral standpoint of supporting the artists, vinyl is much more preferable to streaming. You could listen to a song by your favourite artist on Spotify every day for a whole year, and the absolute most they would make would be barely over $3 – for an entire year’s worth of music.

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Jess Williamson Third Year, English

Johnny Marr performing in 2013

Epigram 26.02.2018

43

Glastonbury, powerful thinking, and sustainability in UK festivals

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Charlie Gearon discusses the ecological footprint of the UK’s music festival industry and the Bristolian organisation fighting tooth and nail to make a change Charlie Gearon Film Editor

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The uncomfortable truth of the matter is that a festival the magnitude of Glastonbury cannot entirely put into action the sustainable beliefs which it extols

But this philosophy only extends so far.

The uncomfortable truth of the matter is that a festival the magnitude of Glastonbury cannot entirely put into action the sustainable beliefs which it extols. The massive influx of traffic into the rural area of Somerset, the huge amounts of power needed to construct, run and remove the stages and amenities, and the destruction caused to Worthy Farm every year (barring occasional fallow years which allow the land to recover) are unpleasant, but unavoidable realities. According to The Guardian, the 2015 festival saw an estimated 1,650 tonnes of waste left behind, including 5,000 abandoned tents and 54 tonnes of cans and plastic bottles. This almost incomprehensible amount of waste and emission clearly contradicts Glastonbury’s green philosophy. It should be clarified here that these effects are not borne out of a lack

It’s also worth pointing out that Glastonbury is by no means the sole offender here. While it is the UK’s biggest festival, some 280 others take place every single summer

In 2011, they introduced the ‘Green Traveller’ initiative, which provided schemes such as access to solar showers and discounts on meals for attendees who travelled to the festival by public transport or bike. Three years later, in conjunction with UWE, they undertook an energy-monitoring project which revealed that the generators being used to power the festival were oversized and unnecessarily wasteful, allowing them to rectify the issue and reduce their carbon footprint in the process. Despite these efforts, the environmental impact of Glastonbury is huge.

It’s also worth pointing out that Glastonbury is by no means the sole offender here. While it is the UK’s biggest festival, some 280 others take place every single summer. These collectively use 5 million litres of diesel and produce 20 kilotonnes of CO2 each year. With statistics like these, greening UK festivals clearly presents a genuine and immediate challenge to climatechange activists and festival planners.

There is, however, a ray of hope on the horizon.

In 2010, a self-described ‘think-do tank’ named Powerful Thinking was established. Their aim?

To limit the environmental impact of UK music festivals. The group was born right here in Bristol after a committee of festival organisers met to discuss energy management in the festival industry. Now, nearly eight years after their formation, Powerful Thinking is leading the way in bringing about a more sustainable approach to festival planning. Their cohesive 2015 report, The Show Must Go On, collated sustainabilityrelated data from over 250 festivals, and is largely to thank for the statistics I’ve been referencing in this article.

Perhaps their most exciting project is the Festival Vision: 2025 Pledge. This pledge

Epigram / Kate Hutchison

Glastonbury Festival’s ecological mantra.

Michael Eavis – professional shorts-wearer and the festival’s founder – firmly believes that the festival has stayed in touch with its environmentally friendly roots. ‘Glastonbury Festival was founded in 1970, long before people began to become concerned about climate change,’ writes Eavis on the Green Glastonbury section of the festival’s website, ‘yet even then all the milk and cider and the straw came from the farm. We were ‘green’ then, and we are just as green now.’

True, the philosophy behind Glastonbury is evidently based on a belief in sustainability and a desire to confront environmental issues.

Greenpeace has locations all over the site, the Green Fields are run entirely on renewable energy and allow festival-goers to learn about environmental issues, and there is a general air of care and concern for the planet which seems shared by the vast majority of its attendees.

of consideration on the part of Eavis and the festival’s organisers. A number of initiatives and pledges have been undertaken over the course of the festival’s history which aim to minimise the festival’s ecological footprint.

BeatHerder Festival, North Yorkshire

ambitiously aims to cut all festival-related GHG emissions in half by the year 2025. Of the nearly 60 festivals which have already committed, several Bristolian events have joined the accord, including Love Saves the Day, The Balloon Fiesta, The Harbourside Festival and Bristol Redfest.

As well as these local events, some bigger festivals including Shambala, Bestival, Latitude, Download, and Wireless have signed up.

As of February 2018, upon writing this article, Glastonbury - the biggest offender re: environmental impact - has not joined the accord. Fans of the festival may squirm a little at this; surely a festival which purports to have such strong ecological priorities would jump at the opportunity to join the collected effort to create a more sustainable festival industry. Even if Eavis and co. believed that the pledge was overly ambitious, Powerful Thinking’s website

clearly states that ‘the purpose of the Pledge is simply to show that you are willing to take steps toward becoming more sustainable,’ and that festival organisers should not be put off by concerns about achieving a 50% reduction.

Even so, the work that Powerful Thinking are doing presents an exciting step forward for UK music festivals. I can’t possibly comment on how realistic the group’s pledge to half emissions is. But, the work they’re doing embodies the environmental, sustainable, tree-hugging spirit which this country’s leading music festival was built on. Hopefully, in the not too distant future, ‘Leave No Trace’ will become a reality, and not just empty words.

What’s on?

Events to get down to soon

Noods Radio Social 001 @ The Crofters Rights, 01/03

Follow our new Spotify for weekly playlists filled with the newest releases and artists

@epigram_ music

Independent radio station Noods are bringing their socials to Stokes Croft!

Be there at the first pizza party.

Neblua @ The Love Inn, 7/03 Student-run night bringing some of the most exciting ascts in techno and electronia to Bristol’s best venues.

The Garden @ Thekla, 19/03 Carli grunge hits Thekla at the end of March - it’s going to be sweaty.

Epigram 26.02.2018

Puzzles

@EpigramPuzzles

Editor: Joselyn Joanes puzzles@epigram.org.uk

Solutions will be posted online at www.epigram.org.uk and on social media.

The Omnipuzzle AIM: Obtain a word from the clues 1. Split the clues into groups based on a clue’s title 2. Use the groups to decide which clues are solvable 3. You need to be able to travel from the start arrow to the end arrow using clue boxes which are solvable 4. Each clue will give you a letter

Word ladder

Sudoku Fill the empty squares with numbers 1 to 9, so that each number appears once in each row, column and 3x3 box.

Can you get from top to bottom, changing only one letter from one rung to the next?

If you need any help, contact the editor by email or through social media

Word grid Word links

Just a phrase

How many words can you find including the middle letter, with at least four letters per word? There is at least one nine-letter word.

Find the word which can come before each of the three or four words given, in each case giving a common two-word phrase. E.g. LIFE line, LIFE time, LIFE less.

18= Average 24 = Good 30= Excellent

Find the two. three, four or four letters that can suffix the word on the left or prefix the word on the right, in each case giving a real word. E.g. HE-AR-MY.

OVER BACK TENNIS EAR AIR

MAN WALK SHIPS BOOK LOCK

1. Lets, Worm, Age 2. House, Tops, Nail 3. House Belt, Field 4. Tourist, Logic, Sphere 5. Fuels, Logic, Gas

Killer sudoku Sudoku rules apply and all the numbers in a cage must add to the number in the top left corner of the cage.

Quick crossword ACROSS 1. He (6) 4. African country (6) 7. Damaging public property (9) 10. Full stop (3) 11. Part of a car engine (11) 12. Insect (3) 13. Husband or wife (6) 17. Envy (9) 21. Golf Attendant (6) 22. Soak up (6) 23. Body of water (3) 24. The day before (9)

DOWN 1. Cuban capital (6) 2. Local computer network (3) 3. Hammers (7) 4. Backside (3) 5. Strange habit (8) 6. Time of day (9) 8. Short for doctor (3) 9. Planet (7) 11. Queen Elizabeth II’s middle name (9) 14. Liquid from infected tissue (3) 15. Expels (6) 16. Sermon (6) 18. Minimal (5) 19. Communist country (4) 20. Measure of a 2D surface (4)

Follow us on Twtter @EpigramPuzzles If you would like to join the Puzzle Team email puzzles@epigram.org.uk

Epigram

46

26.02.2018

Baseball still not catching on in BUCS Rory Macnair Second Year, French and Spanish

Twitter / Bristol Baseball

There are more sports at university than ever before. With Korfball, Touch Rugby and even Quidditch recently bursting onto the scene, Bristol University offers an enormous range of sports that can be played in both relaxed and competitive settings. This sporting expansion begs the question, however, of why some of the world’s most popular sports are still missing from the not only the BUCS schedule, but even the Bristol SU’s society list.

A study by TopEnd Sports found that baseball has an estimated 500 million fans worldwide, ranking higher than both basketball and American football with regards to international following.

This makes it all the more surprising that while the Bristol Spartans and Bristol Barracuda have grown into integral parts of the University of Bristol sports programme, there is still no UoB Baseball team.

For the most part, it’s fair to say that the popularity of baseball has been well contained within the United States and Japan. While there have been times when baseball showed its face as a professional sport here in the UK, it survives today only as an amateur

league, albeit widespread throughout the country. With 74 teams, a tiered league system, and an established governing body in the form of the British Baseball Federation, the sport is definitely growing and shows a promising amount of development.

Great Britain has both a senior and junior team that regularly compete in European championships. While there may be no trace of it on the surface, baseball is certainly present this side of the Atlantic once you begin to look a little deeper.

The situation is quite different in the university sphere, however.

Since baseball is not officially included in BUCS competition, British universities instead compete in the biannual National University Baseball Championships (NUBC) hosted by BaseballSoftballUK. This event is hoping to expand into a national university league, which would be structured similarly to that of its domestic counterpart and could mirror the kind of competition seen in BUCS. For now, however, baseball will remain in the Get Involved [elsewhere] section of the BUCS programme until the sport proves itself to be popular enough to deserve full funding.

As far as Bristol is concerned, the

The Bristol Badgers Baseball team show that there’s plenty of enthusiasm in the city for the sport

sport’s popularity is not the problem.

With two teams currently competing in the national league, the Bristol Bats and the Bristol Badgers, there is certainly enough enthusiasm in the

area for the sport to grow. The fact that there is still no baseball club at the University can only be put down to a lack of students who are enthusiastic enough to start something on their

own. As with all things of this nature, it will simply take the passion and drive of one person or a group of people to touch base with the SU and start to process of setting up a society.

From food bloggers to football clubs: does veganism complement athleticism?

Ben McCall-Myers Online Editor

Flickr / Kelly Garbato

Banana bread and blueberry pancakes, totally vegan!

Prominent Manchester City striker, Sergio Aguero, credits his success with going vegetarian. Although there are many factors in play that determine Forest Green’s performance, if results are anything to go by then last season’s third place finish and promotion to the football league for the first time in their 128-year history could well be linked to the new dietary ideas. The first 11 suffered no major injuries in the 2016-17 season and so far this season both Carlisle FC and Morecambe have put on vegan menus when welcoming Forest Green to their grounds. Is football changing? The ‘£100 million hippy’ would certainly like to think so.

Forest Green’s success sparks a consideration of whether going vegan is beneficial to a successful training routine. Whilst omnivores will often cite that it’s harder to get a sufficient amount of protein into your diet, many vegans will be eager to expound this myth. Meat alternatives such as quinoa, lentils, quorn, soya and buckwheat offer just a few high-protein vegan options.

For example, Flora Beverley graduated with her Biology degree from Bristol last summer. Her blog, ‘foodfitnessflora’, offers great advice on how to lead a healthy lifestyle and her vegan diet is a central component of this. She echoes Dale Vince in observing that ‘red meats, especially those that have been heavily processed, have been liked closely with increased rates of heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes’. Certainly, for Flora, cutting out meat has not proved unfavourable to the consistently impressive workouts she uploads.

Whilst there are irrefutable health

Twitter / Forest Green Rovers

If you’ve ever been to a football match, you’ll be familiar with the vast array of half-time treats on offer.

From the chicken balti pies, to the steak pasties, to the aptly named ‘Belly Buster’ (a double cheeseburger with bacon AND sausage) I occasionally sampled watching Torquay United as I grew up, the grub on offer is usually geared towards the carnivorous.

However, at the New Lawn Stadium in Nailsworth, Gloucestershire, there’s a club doing things a little differently.

Since 2014, Forest Green Rovers have served only vegan food at their matches.

This is down to their Chairman appointed back in 2010, Dale Vince.

Founder of the electricity company, Ecotricity, he is a prominent figure

committed to green energy. A scroll through his Twitter reveals attempts to go plastic-free at the club, as well as plans for an Eco Park to be built which will replace the current stadium.

There’s also a distinct lack of hate-mail from the fans - replacing their beloved beef burgers and hot dogs with veggie burgers and falafel has proved a surprisingly popular decision, giving the club a quirky and unique edge.

However, it’s not just the fans that have been affected by Vince’s philosophy. Whilst they are free to eat what they want in their own time, on match-days the players are given a purely plant-based diet. In an interview with The Independent, Vince disclosed that before he arrived, players used to have pre-match lasagnes. Commenting on the difficulty of digesting red meat, he explained ‘it seemed to me wrong to be feeding players something that would hinder their performance’.

Jermaine Defoe with some vegan cheese sent to him by Forest Green Rovers

benefits in cutting red meat out of your diet, Flora notes some other student friendly possibilities of eating a plant-based diet. She points out that there is money to be saved by ‘replacing the most expensive part of the diet with more vegetables, grains and pulses’ and quotes some alarming figures, including that methane ‘has 23 times the global warming potential of CO2’. Flora reveals that attempting to eat less meat is not only cheaper and better for you, but it goes a long way in saving the future of our planet.

The implications of going vegan are there for all to see. As Flora notes, ‘every little change helps’, and people can try to reduce their consumption

of animal products in all manner of ways, however regularly they feel comfortable doing so.

Being a vegan hasn’t stopped Flora from focusing on her fitness. Sergio Aguero is a vegetarian and he still scores goals. Forest Green achieved promotion to the football league for the first time ever under a vegan regime. Sport and meat-consumption doesn’t have to be intrinsically linked.

It is time we accept the high-protein alternatives.

Check out her blog at: foodfitnessflora.blog and her instagram account at: instagram.com/ foodfitnessflora

Epigram

26.02.2018

47

Does sport destroy our planet?

An important point to make against Monbiot is sport’s potential to inspire people to follow a more active lifestyle.

Most would agree that an individual interested in physical activity would probably be more likely to walk or cycle from A to B, as opposed to driving petrol guzzling vehicles. Equally, those same people would presumably be prone to spending their leisure time engaging in carbon neutral activities: mother nature would prefer us all to go running rather than sitting in our heated homes

Bristol 2s 0-3 Exeter 2s Women’s Football Bristol 1s 10-1 Exeter 2s Men’s Rugby Bristol 1s 40-33 Hartpury 2s Bristol 2s 19-45 Cardiff Met 3s

of the 61,000 tons of waste it produced either recycled or reused, while some 86% of all spectators journeyed to the stadiums by train. Recent ecological advances by sporting institutions and events threaten to discredit Monbiot’s concerns.

Although Monbiot may not have won much support for his article, it should be said that his questioning regarding humanity’s impact on the planet is admirable. Debates surrounding what we may be forced to abandon for the sake of the future are greatly important, no matter how inconceivable life without certain pleasures may be.

UoB in narrow Varsity netball loss Nicky Withers Sports Editor Sunday 11th February saw the debut of Varsity netball as a standalone event, with an alumni match closely followed

by Bristol and UWE’s first teams. In the last five matches, only fifteen goals separated the two sides, so the expectation was heaped on it being a very close contest.

The alumni match started quickly but it took both sides a little while to get used to playing together again, with lots of mistakes. UWE were the first to settle and find their feet, pulling away with a 5-2 lead. The Bristol Goal Keeper had a brilliant game, despite what the scoreline ultimately suggested, preventing UWE storming ahead in more dramatic style. But by the end of the first quarter, it was 19-10 to UWE.

Despite their best efforts and some great play, the Bristol team couldn’t gain control of the centre court and found many of their passes intercepted.

The UWE Wing Attack stood out, both receiving and making some incredible passes and showing great control. By half time UWE had pulled away to a 3715 lead.

The second half didn’t get any better

Swansea 2s 12-27 Bristol 2s Men’s Hockey

Bristol 3s 9-0 UWE 2s Women’s Hockey Baths 1s 3-2 Bristol 1s Cardiff 2s 2-1 Bristol 2s Netball Bath 2s 42-39 Bristol 1s

Join our Fantasy Football League: Epidivisie

players collided head first, leaving one of them on the ground, unmoving.

The crowd fell silent as she received treatment and thankfully she walked off court, without any serious damage.

Epigram / Nicky Withers

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in the last five matches only fifteen goals separated the two sides

for Bristol, who fought hard to try and close down the gap. The deficit proved too much and the match finished with a 68-35 win for UWE alumni.

With the tunes blasting, the first teams began warming up. The crowd grew drastically during this time and the atmosphere started to build. Both teams were introduced and the match was underway. The pace was immediately set incredibly high, but neither team scored for a couple of minutes.

It was UWE who drew first blood, but Bristol retaliated instantly to make it 1-1. The first casualty of the afternoon was the Nuffield Health advertising board, clattered by a UWE player going all out to keep the ball in play. Meeting all expectations, the first quarter was end to end stuff and finished with UWE two goals ahead, 10-8.

The second quarter was a difficult one for Bristol - in a match this close, the first team to falter were going to struggle and after a couple of missed opportunities to score for Bristol, UWE began to pull away. Kate Skuse displayed a masterclass of one-handed catches right on the backline at goal shooter, but it wasn’t enough to pull it back before half time, 21-14.

Defensively both sides were impressive in the third quarter and it took a few minutes for the first goal to be scored. The crowd were getting louder by this point, with each interception met by a roar from each side’s respective fans. Still end to end, the match remained close, with another equal quarter, but this wasn’t enough for Bristol who still trailed by seven goals, with the score now 30-23.

Bristol 1s 12-76 Hartpury 1s

Bath 3s 5-0 Bristol 2s

The Guardina columnist George Monbiot speaking at a TED Conference

expending constant power watching TV. Maybe the cost associated with major sporting events and stadiums is a price worth paying if it gets people off their sofas and into the wider world.

It should be noted, furthermore, that since 2006, numerous sports clubs have taken it upon themselves to launch ecologically beneficial initiatives. The aforementioned Pennsylvania-based study highlighted the work done by baseball team Seattle Mariners in diverting waste away from landfills.

In 2012, for example, the club averted 1,000 tons of landfill-bound rubbish.

The 2012 London Olympics saw 99%

Women’s Rugby

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Monbiot urges us to ‘recognise that some sports are simply too wasteful to be sustained’

Men’s Football UWE 1s 0-2 Bristol 1s

Flickr / TED Conference

Sport is destroying our planet.

That is what The Guardian’s George Monbiot would have us believe. His article, published way back in 2006, entitled ‘How sport is killing the planet’, launched the controversial argument that the world’s major sports pose a substantial environmental threat to Planet Earth. According to Monbiot, the biggest sporting events attract spectators from across the globe, whose vehicles expend carbon to get them there. The polluting cost of constructing elaborate new stadiums is another case in point. Certainly to the horror of many fans, Monbiot concludes by suggesting a ‘fixed site’ for geographical variable sporting events, such as the Olympics, in the hope that it will restrict travel induced carbon emissions. Indeed, Monbiot urges us to ‘recognise that some sports are simply too wasteful to be sustained.’

Now, I appreciate my limitations. A second year university student is not going to come out with international pollution statistics concerning the extent of sport’s damage. But I would guess that in a world of massive conglomerates and corrupt politicians ignoring pollution regulations and rebuking climate change treaties, the impact of sport on the environmental state of the planet is surely comparatively negligible. In fact, a 2013 article published by the University of Pennsylvania concluded that American

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Henry Edwards Second Year, History

sports stadiums had a ‘relatively light impact’ on the environment. Similarly, the New York Times stated, ‘sports stadiums consume just a sliver of the nation’s energy and produce a fraction of its waste.’

Completely abandoning certain major sports events would somewhat aid the planet’s health, but is it worth sacrificing the passion of billions for only marginal environmental gain? There are larger threats to the planet, making Monbiot’s specific condemnation of sport confusing and unwarranted. Indeed, this is the view voiced by website Sportskeeda in 2015: ‘any human activity leaves a considerable ecological footprint’, so why the specific focus on sport?

BUCS Results Wednesday 7th February

Post match scenes at SGS following UWE’s win over the University of Bristol

UWE supporters were considerably more vocal now and a seven goal deficit was certainly no easy task for the Bristol team. For a short while it looked like the comeback was on, Bristol came out fighting and narrowed the gap to five goals, then four and the once

complacent UWE fans were getting nervous, but it wasn’t to be. Two crucial shots missed by Bristol opened the gate for UWE who took advantage and regained their more comfortable lead.

There was late drama just minutes before full time, however, as two UWE

the first casualty of the afternoon was the Nuffield Health advertising board

The game restarted and Bristol threw everything at it, but that second quarter deficit was just too much to overcome.

Final score - 36-30 to UWE. Ultimately the University of Bristol team were left to rue the second quarter, allowing their oppoonents to get just that bit too far away to claw it back, despite their best efforts.

The next Varsity event will be the colour run at Coombe Dingle on the 3rd of March - tickets are now available so grab some friends and get involved!

Epigram

26.02.2018

Sport

@epigramsport Editor: Nicky Withers

Online Editor: Ben McCall-Myers

Deputy Editors: Tim Godfrey Twiss & Felix Rusby

sport@epigram.org.uk

Sport - healthy for you, what about the planet?

Tim Godfrey Twiss Deputy Sport Editor For this issue of Epigram, the powers that be have decided that it should be a green issue – I like this idea. However, at Epigram Sport we were sat twiddling our thumbs trying to think of how to give sport a twist of green environmentalism. On the surface there isn’t much you can publish apart from a headline stating: ‘MOTORSPORT IS BAD – CARS GO FAST LOTS OF PETROL INNIT’. But when you dig deeper into the relationship between sport and the environment you realise that much of sport, like any aspect of human life, dramatically affects the planet.

From the building of stadiums, to mass travel for tournaments to industrial construction of equipment, sport is without doubt adding to the environmental changes we are only beginning to experience as a species.

This article is not meant to be a damning criticism of the Olympics and the amount of air miles the athletes must travel, nor is it a highhorse shaming of any persons who currently aren’t protesting the blatant disregard for human rights in Qatar leading towards the 2022 World Cup - I don’t personally believe this type of large-scale rhetoric aids the changing of opinions for the average sportsperson.

Eventually, I think that as a community, sports will shift towards a greener way of operating, just as every aspect of human life will do, but for now I don’t expect you to go and tear down Wembley Stadium and replace it with a mini wildlife sanctuary with the word ‘eco-terrorist’ tattooed on your head. Instead I want anyone reading this to just consider how their involvement of sports does affect the environment – whether positively or negatively on a personal level.

To investigate sporting impact by a normal sportsperson, I have taken an average week of sport for me and have deconstructed what I do in terms of environmental impact.

This list will be in no way conclusive and therefore not scientifically accurate, but it will serve to illustrate how things we consider to be inherently ‘good’ for us like going for a run actually has repercussions we cannot instantly see. Now, I recognise this sounds like the worst pre-drinks game ever created but hopefully the exercise should reveal some interesting realities.

Monday - Gym for 1h 20 minutes.

Firstly, I used the weight machines. Steel can cost 1.6 tonnes of CO2 per tonne steel (this is the value that Korea and Mexico currently manufacture steel at - the US and most of Asia is more, some countries produce it at less, but as I am not taking into account the carbon emissions of transporting the raw steel to the factory where it is turned into a gym machine, I will assume the steel I used was not created in the most efficient way). I used 14 machines, which is approx.

1.8 tonnes, so through that one can assume that 2.88 tonnes of CO2 was produced for just the machines I used. Now obviously many thousands of people share this CO2 load but what not everyone shared was the 20 minute run at 16 km/h on the treadmill.

The treadmill used a 2200W motor, but probably wasn’t using its maximum power output as I was not running at its max velocity. However, I was running at 72% of its maximum velocity so I can assume it ran at least 1584W (probably more as the motor becomes more inefficient as it works harder and heats up). I also ran for 20 minutes so 1/3 of an hour. 1584/3 = 528 so 0.528 kW/h.

To produce 0.528kW/h through burning coal there will also be 0.5kg of CO2 produced. It is probably safe to assume the electricity used wasn’t produced through coal burning but the actual value of CO2 I produced is still highly likely to be more than 100 grams. This may not sound a lot but I run around three times a week on a treadmill, which means that in a year I’m personally contributing 15.6 kg of CO2 to the atmosphere, just by being a nice healthy boy and going for a run.

Tuesday - Hill sprints When planning this weird doomsday diary, I thought that this would be one of the more ‘green’ days. The hill was a natural grass one, no production there. I didn’t even use a phone to listen to music. However, I did use my football boots for grip. My boots are Nike Mercurials from about two years ago (anyone who has played against me on the Downs on a Wednesday are sure to have flashbacks of a lanky freak drifting effortlessly past defences wearing them). They were actually not from Nike but from a rogue seller on AliBaba - this means they were from China and they were sent via plane for speed. The plane journey which my boots were involved in meant that

0.65 tonnes of CO2 entered the atmosphere.

My poor old boots weren’t entirely to blame but even if the plane was carrying 10,000 pairs of boots for other bang average players in the UK, my decision to buy said boots resulted in 65 grams of CO2 being added to the environment – even before calculating the construction costs of the boots.

Wednesday - Intramural football We have discussed my evil boots which were also worn on this day, but the real environmental cost here is sporting equipment, the most I use all week. Firstly, there is the football and the kit. A set of kits made from polyester maybe weighs 2kg.

The ball is produced synthetically using petrochemicals that are derived from the extraction of oil. Unfortunately I have neither the time nor intimate understanding of chemistry to guess at the negative effects of the ball on the environment, however, 2kg of polyester emits 19 grams of CO2 into the atmosphere throughout its production, so the kits most teams wear are by no means ‘green’.

As anyone who plays intramural football knows, two tractors assemble and disassemble all goals on the downs. We can call this one tractor, but assumes it travels twice as far (for the ease of calculation). Sadly, I don’t know where the tractor(s) begins its journey but its route around the Downs is approx four miles as it has to jack-knife up and down the pitches. An average tractor mpg is six. So, for one day of intramural the tractor(s) will use 2/3 of a gallon of probably diesel, which is three litres. This results in 8kg of CO2 being produced by the tractors just for intramural to take place, let alone the negative effects of refining diesel.

Thursday - Gym for 1h Once again, everything I did on Monday applies. But on this day, I took the lift five floors up, when I could have taken the stairs.

This decision meant that an extra 0.2kg of carbon emissions went into the atmosphere.

I think this example is indicative of how I could easily become greener during sport – taking the stairs is better for me and the environment.

Friday - Went to Airhop I took the bus there (seven miles) and the double decker I went on had an mpg of six.

This meant 1.16 gallons, however this was

split between 49 passengers (I checked) so 1.16 gallons of diesel between 49 is 0.023 gallons, so by me taking the bus 0.23kg of CO2 was produced. I know that the bus service wasn’t my personal bounce-mobile, there were others taking it and the service would have run regardless, but if half the people on the bus cycled then there would be a significant drop in frequency of bus services.

Saturday - Indoor football I went and played futsal in a sports hall that had dimensions of 40m x 25m x 15m roughly.

The air temperature that day was eight degrees Celsius, but let’s say the hall had kept a residual heat of 14 degree Celsius from the day before. The temperature within the hall when I arrived was around 18/19 degrees Celsius – this meant the hall was heated by at least four temperature units (those budding scientists among us will know the unit doesn’t matter for what we’re about to do).

So, the volume of the hall is 15000m3 and the density of air is 1.23kg/m3, the total mass of the air in the hall was 18450kg. So, the energy required to heat the air by four temperature units is: 1.006 (specific heat capacity of air) x 18450 x 4 = 74243 joules. Say the hall was heated from 10am to 2pm then the heaters have generated 74243 in 4 hours, or 14,400 seconds meaning the heaters worked at 5.15W for 4 hours – just to heat a hall for football.

Sunday - Cliff jumping I drove from Bristol to Minions in Cornwall to throw myself off a cliff – luckily gravity provides the acceleration of me falling so no need to work that out. However, the 220 mile round trip in my 1.6 litre diesel car did produce CO2 emissions. The journey produced 30kg of CO2 and in reality it was not a trip I necessarily needed to take.

Well that’s the end of my diary. The diary is by no means complete, or scientifically accurate, however, I have often underestimated energy used or CO2 produced in an attempt to not make outrageous claims. This exercise is not meant to persuade people to not take part in sport but I do want people to acknowledge that sport does have drawbacks when considering the environment and how green you are. Just like in any other aspect of your life there are things you can cut back on, or decisions you can make to help the environment - even if it is just a miniscule amount.

Flickr / Jon Curnow

The Olympic Stadium in London, obviously large scale projects like this have an impact, but so can individual sport