Environmental and Climate Issues Concern All Students

Environmental and climate issues concern all students. They are not a single, specialized group of issues, but one of the main challenges of our times. It is necessary that all areas of society integrate environmental and climate issues into their activities and decision-making. The Student Council has a clear policy on these matters and we are working towards a better and more environmentally friendly university community.

This fall, the Student Council called on the University of Iceland for the second time to declare a climate emergency and to create a plan of action for the school. That way, we can emphasize the gravity of the issue and be a leading voice in the climate debate. The management of the school has not yet responded to the Student Council's challenge, and by inaction has lagged behind other scientific institutions in recognizing the urgency of the matter, when the University of Iceland should, in light of its position as a research and scientific institution, be a leader in climate issues.

The Student Council has pushed for more vegetarian options in Háma which increased significantly as a result, and we have worked steadily to further increase it in collaboration with Félagsstofnun stúdenta. Vegan Wednesdays have been a regular feature in Háma this year, and due to the Student Council’s efforts, it will hopefully soon be possible to see the carbon footprint of meals with the introduction of “Matarspor”. All of this is part of promoting education and increased awareness in this regard. It is therefore a step towards a better future.

Improved public transport is an important part of climate issues. The Student Council has pushed for improvements in this field in a discussion with the university authorities and the government. The University of Iceland is located in the heart of Reykjavík, and the campus is central in public transport routes in the capital area. It must be a viable option for students to get between places efficiently, both quickly and safely without unnecessary costs for people and the environment. The Student Council emphasizes that the students and staff of the University of Iceland are guaranteed access to ecological transport options through the introduction of transport cards at favorable prices, just as the Student Council has already referred to as the U-pass. The main goal of The U-pass, or Umhverfipassi (environmental pass), is to reduce pollution and car traffic and promote environmentally friendly means of travel. We have pushed for better facilities for cyclists, both with an increase in covered, access-controlled bicycle shelters as well as improved changing rooms for cyclists. Last autumn the Student Council secured the Green Flag for the University of Iceland and organized the initiative Bike to the University, or Hjólað í háskólann, in cooperation with the university’sDivision of Operations and Rescourses.

In many ways we have succeeded, but we still have a long way to go. The Student Council will continue to push for changes that bring us closer to a better and more environmentally friendly university community.

Rebekka Karlsdóttir (she/her)

Student Council president 2022 – 2023