6
IMPACT
A CLIMATE
On the 1st of May 2019 the UK’s House of Commons became the first legislature in the world to declare an ‘environment and climate emergency’. Coined by Bristol councillor Carla Denyer back in 2018, the idea of a state authority officially declaring a climate emergency took only a year to accumulate the clout for Leader of the Opposition Jeremy Corbyn to propose an almost identical declaration in the House of Commons. The movement passed without vote. Despite the supposedly unwavering support in Parliament, many have been quick to point out that Westminster’s declaration does not legally bind the government into doing anything. So perhaps one may ask, “Why has it taken Extinction Rebellion protests, the Greta Thunberg effect and the school climate strike movement to squeeze an empty statement from our political elites?” - a genuine concern. However, many argue that we must consider that although this declaration is small, it is a movement in the right direction. It is likely that its most crucial impact will be its role as a blatant signpost to the incumbent government that
the will to make and accept climate change policy is present not only amongst the public but also within the House.
“1st of May 2019 the UK’s House of Commons became the first legislature in the world to declare an ‘environment and climate emergency’” Since the UK parliament’s declaration, it has become increasingly popular for both public and private institutions of all sizes to give similar announcements. Amongst those who are taking part in the ‘climate emergency’ vogue, are universities and/or their student unions. After a damning report emerged in mid-July of 2019 showing that two-thirds of universities are likely to fail their 2020 targets for the reduction of carbon emissions, higher education institutions are becoming more and more conscious of their environmental impact. In the same report, People and Planet, a student network campaigning for social and environmental justice, ranked 154 UK institutions on a ‘Green University League Table’. Gloucester, Manchester Metropolitan and Nottingham Trent came in first, second and third, head and shoulders above those below.
EMERGENCY The ‘greenification’ seen in a small number of universities perhaps arrives as they realise the harsh irony of their institution. Universities are a place that prepare students for the future but as Jean Renouf, lecturer at Southern Cross University, points out, with the planet in crisis it is becoming increasingly likely that there may be “no future to prepare for”. However, as youthful enthusiasm towards environmental issues slowly turns into frustration and impatience, universities have begun to propel environmental issues to the top of their lists of concerns.
“As youthful enthusiasm towards environmental issues slowly turns into frustration and impatience, universities have begun to propel environmental issues to the top of their lists of concerns”
