One hundred years from now, the planet is expected to be up to 5.9 degrees warmer (https://www.climate.gov/news-features/understanding-climate/climate-change-global-temperature), natural disasters will be a regular occurrence, and millions of people will be displaced. So, what can I say I did to stop this? When my non-existent grandchildren think about me, they will be angry, not just because of what I did, but also because of what I didn’t do. It isn’t fair or right not to do my part. So, being provided an opportunity through study abroad to make a real difference
Aviation accounts for 2.5% of global CO2 emissions, projected to triple by 2050 (https://ourworldindata.org/global-aviation-emissions). My flight to the UK generates 5.8 tonnes of CO2, which is half the average annual carbon footprint. However, I can begin to offset this through a reduction in meat consumption, private transport use and material consumption. I could also purchase carbon units, such as those from https://www.green.earth, to ensure my impact reaches further.
My academic pursuit of Environmental Governance, Policy and Social Justice at UC while serving as Advisory Trustee for Akō Ōtautahi Learning City Christchurch has developed my skills for social impact reporting and facilitating futures-thinking workshops.
The UK should be a global leader for the UN SDGs. To align with this, I aim to reduce my material footprint in line with target 12.2, bringing only what I need and adopting a capsule wardrobe. I will reduce waste generation through prevention, aligning with target 12.5 by opting for sustainable, reusable, or recyclable items.
In the UK, I plan to engage in knowledge exchange with local students by volunteering and event participation, sharing insights about sustainable practices from my home country while learning from local environmental initiatives. This mutual learning approach supports educational development in both directions, aligning with SDG 4, “Quality Education.”
I intend to support the local UK economy by choosing locally-owned accommodations, restaurants, and services rather than international chains. This ensures that my spending directly benefits community members and supports sustainable economic development, aligning with SDG 8, “Decent Work and Economic Growth.”
Finally, I will actively participate in community sustainability projects, including local cleanup initiatives and urban gardening programs, contributing to making the cities I visit more sustainable and resilient, which aligns with SDG 11, “Sustainable Cities and Communities.”
All of my actions will be guided by essential applications, such as https://www.myclimate.org to determine carbon calculations and verified offsetting, https://citymapper.com to optimise my public transport use in the UK, https://www.happycow.net to find plant-based restaurants, https://www.ecosia.org as my search engine to support reforestation, and https://www.rome2rio.com to compare sustainable transport options.
This experience is not only for personal growth, but also for becoming a global citizen who can understand the intersectional sustainability required by our society to achieve intergenerational fairness. I have the responsibility and the privilege to be sustainable, and so I will continue to learn and grow throughout this overseas study experience. I am committed to making my chapter of this generational story one of responsibility, respect, and positive change.
