"Let's be Greener and Ethically Cleaner"
Hey! My name is Wojtek (Voy-Tek) and I'm running for the position of Environmental Officer as I strongly believe that for the future to be better, we must act in a pragmatic yet radical way today. Queens University is a strong leader in the green revolution, with our obtainment of the Green Flag Award in 2019 denoting our hard work in creating a sustainable and ecologically mindful environment. However, as a History and International Relations student I see these achievements as fuel to continue advancing forward rather than becoming content. Having acted as chair of my districts Ecological and Environmental Committee - where I represented the interests of the youth to the District Councillors and began the development of an ecological and environmental charter between the academic institutions - as well as leading the Uttlesford Climate Strike in 2020 which won the Youth Council a permanant seat in the Climate Emergency Committee, I am confident that I possess the knowledge, determination, passion, and relevant skills which will ensure that I will represent you to the highest standard.
Below you can read my pledges which I will fight for should I be so lucky as to be elected. There are four key areas that I believe must be addressed to ensure that our community keeps moving forward to achieve ecological and environmental targets, whilst continuing to be an example to others on how to tackle our climate emergency. As a community we have won before, and I know that as a community we will win again.
Transportation and travel
1) To continue the decrease of individuals commuting by car (16.4% of students & 33.7% of staff - 2015) and increase the usage of bicycles by students and staff alike (2.7% and 7.8% - 2015).
2) To create a strong link with bus and train companies in order to negotiate student and staff discounts on bus passes, railcards, or tickets should they be members of the university.
3) To work with the City Council to set up an annual 'Belfast Bikathelon' event on World Bicycle Day. This would include all members of the community and would uphold the Universities intention to be a leader in the transformation of Belfast into an environmentally friendly city.
4) To promote and encourage the usage of eco-friendly modes of transportation to those living 15-30 minutes away from the University.
Carbon Management
1) Invest in the plantation of trees and other plants on the land that the University owns as a way of trapping carbon released.
2) Become the leading lobbyist in Belfast City Council and Stormout to ensure that developers avoid the destruction of key ecological and environmental sites. And if it is essential, then for them to re-plant the lost wildlife in a new zones.
3) Continue the instillation of charging points for electric vehicles whilst setting out a plan to ensure all University owned vehicles are replaced gradually with electric ones.
4) Push for the replacement of old gas boilers and single glazed windows - where possible.
Waste management and the reduction of single use plastics
1) Work closely with academic institutions across Belfast as well as the Ulster Museum to develop a project where students use waste from home to create works of art that will be displayed on exhibition in the Ulster Museum. The programme will aim to educate the generation of tomorrow about the impact of waste, allow them to be creative and express themselves, and further entrench the relationship between the University and the local schools.
2) Continue the implementation of recycling bins across the University campus and faculty offices.
3) Implement wooden cutlery, paper/ containers and paper bags where possible.
4) Source items from welcome pack from sustainable and ethical companies.
5) Become the leading lobbyist to ensure all items used by the City Council and Stormount are sourced from ethically sourced areas.
6) Continue promoting the Great Spring/Autumn clean up across the entire community so that all can get invovled.
7) Any single used plastic that is deemed necessary MUST be sourced from companies that have good ethical and environmental records.
8) Only necessary chemicals must be used on site. All disposal must be done appropriately.
9) Send out quarterly emails with step by step guides and videos to students which outline possible ways to re-use and re-purpose items at home in an effort to reduce waste and save expenses for students.
Ethics
1) To ensure that individuals are informed about the importance of well sourced items and food, an optional Ecology, Enviromint and Ethics stand will be erected during the Freshers week.
2) Fresher booklets, emails, and information from the university int he month of September should contain content upon ecological, environmental and ethical issues. This should be followed monthly emails which provide opportunities for students to learn more about the issues, attend speeches and potentially sign up to workshops.
3) Work closely with the Ulster Museum to establish an exhibition that adresses the issue of ethical sourcing, the poor treatement of workers and similar themes iacross the world in an effort to educate the public and emphasise the importance of ethical sourcing.
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REFERENCING:
1)
[Bishop's Stortford Independent: Student strike calls for more urgency over Uttlesford District Council's climate strategy - https://www.bishopsstortfordindependent.co.uk/news/students-secure-seats-on-climate-change-working-group-following-strike-action-9099968/]
2)
"After meeting with local youth climate protesters, R4U led Uttlesford District Council has committed to urging the secretary of state for more powers for local authorities for their eco-agendas, and has dedicated youth seats on the local Climate Working Group."
- [Residents For Uttlesford Website - https://www.residents4u.org/2020/02/17/udc-calls-on-government-for-stronger-powers-to-allow-councils-to-act-quickly-on-climate-change-following-local-youth-environmental-protest/]