At the beginning of every year, we all start making promises and goals for the months ahead, but often don't stick to them. This year, we want to help you make sustainable resolutions - ones that are both green AND achievable to stick to.
What we buy, how often we buy, and where we buy from all have a much greater impact on the planet than we first might think. Lots of resources and energy go into the items we are purchasing, so by being more aware and making changes to your consumption habits you can have a positive impact on our planet, and on yourself (e.g. saving money).
What is a Swap Shop, you might be thinking. It's a place where you can exchange (or just take) items that other people have donated. Their purpose is to reduce waste by extending a product's life-cycle, which also has the knock on benefit of saving you some money!
Today is Earth Day, an annual celebration of environment that happens every year on the 22nd of April. It is also the 50th Anniversary of the first ever Earth Day, which started back in 1970. This year the theme is climate action - you can find out more about Earth Day 2020 on the official website here. They have lots of suggestions of small actions you can take - from measuring your local air quality to doing a mini litter pick.
ECSA is working with Edinburgh College's Ccommunity Garden Coordinator to plan the creation of a new green space at Milton Road campus.
There is a grassy field at Milton Road campus that Edinburgh College wishes to plan trees on. This will create more and better green spaces at the campus for students, staff, and local residents and community groups to use. It will also help the environment and contribute to lowering the college's carbon emissons, as trees absorb carbon dioxide.
We're delighted to share the news that Edinburgh College Students' Associtaion has been awarded over £190,000 as part of the Scottish Government's Climate Challenge Fund (CCF) to run another climate change project from 2020-2022. This project will offer free support to help Edinburgh College students to travel more sustainably, and to reduce their food and textile waste.
Through our Go Green - Low Carbon Travel project, we have the opportunity to reward three students for their efforts to live in a more environmentally-friendly way. So we want to hear from you if you've made a concious effort to travel in a more sustainable way this year, and especially if you've also been encouraging your friends and classmates to do the same. Your entry can also include information about any other changes you have made to your lifestyle to be more sustainable. Winning examples might include:
Are you looking to save money or get fit? Then join ECSA in pledging to change your travel! By travelling to college in a more sustainable fashion, not only can you keep the money you may spend on fuel or public transport, but walking and cycling are a great way to stay healthy and happy.
Monday 17th of February is the start of a week of Global Goals Teach-Ins, where educators pledge to teach the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals as part of their lessons during the week. ECSA is supporting this campaign to highlight the importance of including sustainable development in education, and we call on Edinburgh College lecturers to take part.