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HOW TO REDUCE YOUR CARBON FOOTPRINT ON CAMPUS
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As students, we’re considered more ‘woke’ than our seniors, recognised as revolutionary voices for prevalent environmental matters. But belonging to a privileged generation where heating is instantaneous and electricity is more readily available than ever, are we too naive when it comes to our personal carbon footprints? The University of Nottingham has their own 2020 carbon reduction target of 40% in their management plan. It only takes a glance at our campus to realise our progression as an institution. There have been countless advances towards a more sustainable campus, from the installation of renewable energy sources such as solar panels and biomass boilers, to campaigns such as WasteNott and Student Switch-Off. We also have various sustainable buildings which demonstrate how valuable innovative designs are in reducing our carbon footprint as an organisation. Collectively however, university contributions to climate change cannot be ignored. The Carbon Trust states that the annual energy cost of the higher education sector in the UK is around £400 million, resulting in an estimated 3 million tonnes of CO2 emissions. According to their most recent energy report, our university had a 3.4% increase in energy consumption in the 17/18 academic year. Overall, that equates to over 49,000 tonnes of CO2! Despite this, energy consumption per student remained below the Russell Group average, way behind Cardiff, Sheffield and Cambridge. However, average student energy costs stand at £398 a year.
So, if you’re looking for ways to make a personal difference, here are a few... top tips
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Burning fossil fuels is the most significant contributor to global warming. Nottingham City Transport currently have 120 biogas buses running across the city; however, the World Health Organisation (WHO) still classes Nottingham as unsatisfactory for its hazardous air pollution levels. Instead of taking the bus to campus, wake up earlier and make the journey on foot. Not only is it a great way to start your day and burn some calories, but it’ll be beneficial for the environment too! Cycling can also beat the buses during rush hour and work out cheaper than an annual bus pass. Ucycle offers a low-cost bike hire scheme to encourage commuters to make the journey to uni on two wheels. Failing that, if getting to that 9AM is still unrealistic, trams are electric and offer a student discount too.
