On Monday 11th August I had the pleasure of running a Sustainability awareness workshop for the new Southampton Student Union Sabbatical team. The aim of the session was to enhance each Sabbs understanding of Sustainability so they could become experts and ambassadors for the student population. The workshop was a great success, and fantastic ideas were shared. Here is a brief overview of the main messages taken from the afternoon…
Katie pledging to make sporting experiences more sustainable.
After looking at the official definition of sustainability, we began to think about what was included within this broad concept. We were all aware about the environmental side of it – switching off our lights and computers to save energy – but what about the social and economic aspects of sustainability? After some enthusiastic ideas and discussion, some fabulous examples of social, economic and environmental sustainability and how these were closely interrelated were exchanged.
Next up after becoming experts in defining the concept, we looked at how sustainability has been achieved within both the University of Southampton and SUSU. Amongst the innovative projects and initiatives mentioned were BEES, Blackout, The Green Label Project and Waste Wars. This re-emphasised the fantastic work we do here at Southampton whilst inspiring some new ideas within the Saabatical team.
Following this we got up close and personal – thinking about how each Sabbs role within SUSU was linked to sustainability. Each individual thought about one of their goals they wished to work towards this year, and linked this back to either economic, social and environmental sustainability. Some of the goals interlinked multiple sustainability aspects – such as employability which incorporates both social and economic issues. Everyone did an absolutely brilliant job of this – successfully realising how their work as a Sabb related closely to influencing positive change and therefore – sustainable development.
To finish off everyone made pledges to become more sustainable in their behavior as part of the Sabbatical Team.
Team SUSU with pledges.
Megan’s wrote “I pledge to be more sustainable by making sure the student publications are recycling excess magazines and thinking about sustainability in what they do”. An excellent example sustainability which incorporates both economics and the environment by saving money and trees!
Thank you to everyone that took part, and don’t forget – keep it sustainable!
View a video of the Sabb’s group pledge here!