Recycling, Fairtrade Footballs and Climate Change: A Reflection
July 2, 2019
Our student intern Meg reflects on her year as Sustainability Communications and Engagement Assistant for the University of Nottingham. When I first saw the sustainability engagement assistant role advertised, I talked myself out of the role: I won’t have time, someone else will be better than me; a friend pointed out that 6 hours a …
On standby
May 1, 2019
Energy Manager Bryony Attenborough shares some insight on joining the University of Nottingham I am married to the long suffering Roger (who likes to leave all the lights on in the house, much to my annoyance), have one daughter Lauren, a West Highland Terrier called Hamish and two rabbits Narla and Alba. I have lived …
What if modern slavery is funding fast fashion?
February 25, 2019
Guest post by Amelia Watkins, director of UoN Against Slavery, for Fairtrade Fortnight 2019 at The University of Nottingham. Our world is broken. Oxfam reported that the top 26 people in the world own the same amount of wealth as the bottom half of humanity. In this bottom half of humanity, the ILO cited poor working …
Understanding the mimicry and biological significance of hoverflies
January 18, 2019
Ria Anadkat, 4th year Zoology MSci student, outlines her research looking at the behaviour of some of the #beastsofuon. A vast number of insect species observed throughout the UK tend to be overlooked – hoverflies often fall victims to this. In actual fact, these flies are indispensable when it comes to pollination, and the …
A Hi Vis Hello!
November 30, 2018
Ever wondered who is behind the UoN Sustainability social media posts? As of October, it’s normally me! My name is Meg and I’ve recently joined the university’s sustainability team as a communication and engagement assistant. I’m a third year Natural Sciences student, on the Maths and Physics pathway. My hobbies include yoga, eating and spending …
The macro problem of a ‘micro’ pollutant
November 20, 2018
Tom Stanton, PhD researcher in the School of Geography and Faculty of Engineering, outlines his research on microplastics. From the upstream reaches of rivers to the remote Arctic, microplastic pollution persists throughout aquatic environments. All smaller than 5 mm – that’s about the size of the stud on top of a Lego brick – microplastic particles can …
Developing a Biodiversity Action Plan for Sutton Bonington campus
October 3, 2018
Third year Plant Science student Bryony Gardner shares her experience of developing the University’s Biodiversity Action Plan. A plan to promote biodiversity Following on from a successful bid into the Environment Initiative Fund, I was part of a project running throughout the summer to help understand, protect and promote the biodiversity of Sutton Bonington campus. …
Why we need to reduce what waste we produce (and how you can help, too)
September 18, 2018
Guest post by Bonni Jee, SU Environment and Social Justice Officer 2018/19 It’s a pleasure to be writing one of the inaugural blogs for the aptly-named WasteNott campaign for this year, as your Students’ Union Environmental and Social Justice Officer. As an Environmental Science student, sustainability has always been a passion of mine, but I …
WasteNott – What actually happens to our waste?
September 13, 2018
An interview with Wastecycle – the University of Nottingham’s waste contractor What is Wastecycle? Wastecycle (soon to become ‘Enva’) is the current waste contractor for the University of Nottingham. We manage all of the general waste and recycling that comes out of the onsite bins and skips at the University and take it to a …
Clean Air Day 2018: how you can reduce your exposure to air pollution
June 18, 2018
The connection between air pollution and our health has been studied for decades. Air pollution is known to increase the risk of certain health problems including lung cancer, and makes some existing conditions such as asthma worse. Clean Air Day, an initiative by Global Action Plan, aims to raise awareness of the health impacts of UK …
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