It is Sustainability Week in Cardiff right now and there are events going on that will be of interest to anyone in the area aiming to find out more about sustainability or to get directly involved with the movement. Last November saw the city’s University host the very first sustainability week and this year they are hoping to get more staff, students and visitors on board.

This year’s highlights include the Sustainability Debate on Thursday 11th November, which promises to be another lively Question Time-style event with students, academics and Wales’ minister for environment, sustainability and housing, Jane Davison, debating whether the current economic climate will jeopardise principles of sustainability.

Other key events during the week include: a special SciScreen event showing the hit film The Garden, followed by a debate; a special film screening of the Age of Stupid; the chance to have your bike serviced for free; a fruit and veg stall in the Main Building; special Fairtrade menus, and more.

Returning this year is the chance for staff and students to Post a Pledge to make at least one change, large or small in their daily routines to live or work more sustainably, and if you were one of the 900 who made a pledge last year, to review whether you have stuck
to it.

New for this year is the Bring a Jumper to work initiative. Starting on Monday 8th November and running until Friday 12th November, the aim of the initiative is to encourage staff to bring a jumper to work rather than turning the heating up or using portable heaters as the weather gets colder.

Hywel Thomas, pro vice-chancellor for engagement and international, said: “Hundreds of staff and students took part in the University’s first Sustainability Week last year. The event certainly helped raise the profile of the University drive towards becoming more sustainable. It also provided an ideal platform from which to showcase our world-leading research. It would be great to see more staff and students getting involved this year.”

The Students’ Union is once again backing Sustainability Week. It is partnering with the University to stage events, including free bike UV marking, and the chance to bag free tickets to a special film screening of the hit film The Age of Stupid, described by the Telegraph as “bold, supremely provocative and hugely important”.

Since Sustainability Week 2009, the University has been forging ahead with a number of initiatives as part of its overall commitment to sustainable development in the areas of energy efficiency, carbon reduction, travel and transport, and recycling. Many of the initiatives echoed suggestions made by staff and students as part of the Sustainable Idea online initiative. Earlier this year, the University also became the first higher education institution in Wales to sign up to the Welsh Assembly Governments’ Sustainable Development Charter.

For more information on what’s on during Sustainability Week and to book
your place at any of the events, visit:
www​.cardiff​.ac​.uk/​s​u​s​t​a​i​n​a​b​i​l​i​t​y​w​eek