Page 2 - Survival Plan: Climate Emergency

2 THESTAR www.thestar.co.uk Wednesday,September18,2019
Breaking barriers between disciplines
RESPONDING TO THE GLOBAL CLIMATE EMERGENCY
‘At Sheffield, we are committed to not only finding solutions to global problems, but to translating our research into real- world solutions that make our campus and city more sustainable’
musicians, recognising the all-consuming impact of human behaviour. From soil to plastics and from energy to air, the University of Sheffield aims to do what it can to ensure we not only survive, but thrive, in the years ahead.
Universities are also large, complex organisations and should lead by example to have a positive impact in their own local and regional environments. At Sheffield, we are committed to not only finding solutions to global problems, but to translating our research into real-
world solutions that make
our campus and city more sustainable.
Lots of great work has already been done. The University has already
cut its emissions by over 30 per cent since records began in 2005, and we are on track to meet our 43 per cent reduction target by 2020.
Earlier this year, we completed our divestment from fossil fuel, meaning we no longer hold any shares in any companies engaged in extraction or processing.
The University’s fleet is now over 30 per cent electric and we will be introducing more as new models become available. We are continuing to invest in our campus
to ensure that walking
and cycling are the most attractive options when travelling to and around the university.
But we know there’s lots more to do, particularly on emissions.
We will be setting out,
in our new sustainability strategy later this year, an action plan for becoming carbon neutral. We know this is imperative, but we are committed to taking a science-led approach and ensuring we can follow through on any promises we make.
We don’t currently have all the answers. The challenges we face are
PICTURE: MARIE CALEY
By Prof Gill Valentine
Deputy Vice-Chancellor The University of Sheffield
Universities are uniquely placed to respond to the global challenges we face. We educate the next generation, ensuring that those who will be most affected by the climate crisis have the skills needed to find solutions. We train not only scientists, engineers and leaders in how to
tackle climate change,
but also ensure our wider student body understands how to apply their subject knowledge to the major challenges facing humanity.
Our new research institutes bring together academic expertise across
a range of disciplines to
look at these challenges. Hundreds of academics and students are at work on a huge array of projects - from the intensely scientific to the intimately behavioural - around resources, pollution, recycling and re-use.
We have broken barriers between disciplines to consider problems which impinge on every aspect of our lives.
These new institutes bring together chemists and engineers, social scientists and even
Gill Valentine, The University of Sheffield deputy vice-chancellor.
Sheffield University students have notched up a series
of victories in their fight
to combat the climate emergency - but they are still “terrified.”
They successfully campaigned for the university to pull investment from fossil fuels, opened a zero- waste shop, launched a ‘Reusable Revolution’ against single-use plastics and contributed to the
overarching sustainability strategy.
Now they want to see a switch to 100 per cent renewable power, a net zero carbon campus - and sustainability taught on every course.
But despite this, Harry Carling, Students’ Union development officer, says they are terrified of the wider issue of a global climate emergency.
“If we are backing the
science, we have until
2030, which is when the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change says we must have halved emissions to stand a 50 per cent chance of staying under 1.5 degrees of global heating.
“The school strikers have been inspiring, they show how much this generation cares. The university is stepping in the right direction, involving us in consultation has been really positive.”
High profile campaigning could make people think about consumption, he added.
Harry, who is vegetarian and lives a ‘resuable life’, added: “It’s important students are mobilised into trying to tackle this issue.
“We have huge aspirations this university will equip them with the knowledge and skills to set them in the right direction.
“We are optimistic, but
something needs to happen high up. Without systemic change we haven’t got a lot of hope.
“We need the government to put sustainability first in every decision.
“I think we have the right skills and tech to fix this but the race is on.
“It’s a scary time. We’ve got 10 years, three months and a few days. Every day counts, do what you can.”
multifaceted and embedded in complex economic and societal systems.
While this means our
decisions will sometimes require trade-offs and compromises, we must never lose sight of the urgency
needed to cut emissions, restore our habitats and secure our planet for the future.
Harry Carling.
‘We’ve got 10 years, three months and a few days’
IN ASSOCIATION WITH
The University of Sheffield