Successes Stem from Roehampton's Go Green Week
Lewis Bassett, Facilitator of Roehampton People & Planet, reports on the University's Go Green Week (GGW) and the successes that have come out of it.
Roehampton Go Green Week Bike Workshop
Image © Roehampton P&P
A good way to tempt people towards a petition is to provide some tasty food
Image © Roehampton P&P
Roehampton students’ make their voices heard on the wall of messages
Image © Roehampton P&P
In the midst of a week filled with cake and bicycles, Roehampton University’s People & Planet group successfully brought questions of sustainability forward on the University’s agenda, securing full time environmental staff and the support of their Vice-Chancellor.
Simon, a campaigner from the group and resident baker, said “the idea was to increase awareness of green issues and raise the profile within the university. I think it’s also really important to be engaging and have a good time.” Roehampton’s GGW packed out each day following the themes of education, food, travel, conservation and waste. Both students and staff were encouraged to take part in events such as workshops, competitions, film screenings, free bike fixing and volunteer work in Kew Botanic Gardens.
Dave Robson, the Student Union’s Welfare Officer, said “for me the highlight of the week had to be acoustic night, it was good to see everyone partying for green issues, and we even got a crowd up on stage to sing Earth Song!”
Throughout the week campaigners collected signatures to lobby their VC, Paul O’Prey, to employ full time sustainability staff. The petitions were presented to Paul and other senior members of staff in a meeting filmed by students producing a documentary on the week. Oli, editor for the film, said “everything was up in the air when we went in but they were really cooperative and we came out with more than we asked for.”
A member of Roehampton’s People & Planet has also been asked to sit on the interview panel for the new environmental post being introduced next year. Ghazwa Alwani-Starr, Director of Property and Facilities at Roehampton, said “it is vital for students and staff to work together as they comprise the community that works, studies, parties and lives on site. Together we cause the environmental impact and together we need to reduce this impact.”
Since the week Roehampton’s environmental forum has been talking with Chris Hines, once sustainability director of the Eden Project, to explore the possibility of an ambitious collaboration with the Uni in an effort to develop Roehampton’s environmental performance. In a recent meeting Chris explained the triple bottom line theory he applied at Eden, meaning when new decisions are made it is vital to asses the social, the environmental and the economic impact.
Simon recalled that the week was a success, “for me, you can’t just tell people to behave differently but you can introduce some changes that make new things, like recycling or local food, become the norm.” Roehampton P&P is getting excited about Climate Camp and Summer Gathering. “When we get back next year our aim is to match or beat London School of Economics in the Go Green League!” Bring it on!