Issue 149

Swansea, go green!

20th November 2006

Are you doing all you can to preserve the environment? Do you feel like one person cannot make a difference, or simply not care?

People and Planet and the Conservation Society are committed to changing your mind. They have organised a Green Week, starting on 27 November with loads of events and activities to inspire you to be more green.

Catherine McMillian, the president of the Conservation society said "We should be going green as we are in such a brilliant area. The Gower, just up the road, was the first place designated as an area of outstanding natural beauty, and we have some of the most beautiful beaches." People and Planet are running a nationwide campaign, which aims to 'transform the environmental performance of the UK's higher education sector'. They hope to do this by persuading universities to create environmental policies, review all the environmental impacts of the institution, add full time environmental management staff and actively support and work towards improved environmental performance. Katharine Lane is the president of Swansea's People and Planet. She says that 'Go Green!' has already had an impact in other universities - "Portsmouth University has already got an environmental officer because of the campaign."

It's amazing what a difference small changes make; and probably one of the most attractive things about going green (apart from the whole saving the planet thing, of course!) is that it can save money! Some things like energy saving bulbs, might be a little more expensive, but in the long term they actually are cheaper. The less energy you use, the less bills you have to pay. So simple things like turning the heating down, switching lights and computers off when you leave the room and not leaving electrical equipment on standby will all pay off when the bill arrives!

One of the most important and easiest things students can do for the environment is to recycle. Swansea Council provide green bags and will collect glass, tins and paper from the kerbside from all those in private housing, and has started a kitchen waste compost scheme in certain areas. The council will also recycle card, plastic bottles, batteries and has community compost facilities at Civic Amenity Sites. Clyne (see box) is probably the easiest for students to get to by car and it has a huge range of recycling opportunities available. Supermarkets also provide recycling facilities, including plastic bag recycling. For those in university housing, facilities have been a little lacking, but are set to improve next year. Go Green week has plenty going on and is a great opportunity for students to find out more about living a more sustainable life.

The message from both Conservation and People and Planet is that you really can make a difference, so go for it, go green.

Charlie Duff