For the past two years, I spent every weekend volunteering with the Children of Adam charity. We provide hot meals to people experiencing homelessness, but much of what we distribute comes from a source many people overlook: surplus food from supermarkets. Each week we collect food that are still perfectly safe and nutritious to eat yet are often destined for disposal simply because they can no longer be sold. Witnessing this firsthand has changed the way I think about sustainability. Some of our greatest environmental challenges are not caused by a lack of resources, but by our failure to recognise and use the value that already exists around us.
As a biology student at St Andrews University, I encountered a similar idea in my academic work. In a project exploring renewable biofuels, I investigated how molasses and sugar cane bagasse – by-products often treated as waste – can be converted into valuable energy sources. I was particularly interested in enzymatic hydrolysis, which can have a lower environmental impact than traditional biomass combustion. I was fascinated by the possibility that materials discarded by one industry could help reduce reliance on fossil fuels and contribute to a more sustainable future.
These experiences have shaped how I view the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 12 on responsible consumption and production. While reducing consumption is important, I believe equal emphasis must be placed on recovering value that already exists within systems. Whether agricultural residues are transformed into renewable energy or surplus food is redirected to those in need, sustainability begins by rethinking what we define as waste.
This perspective will accompany me during my year abroad at UC San Diego. Although international travel carries an environmental cost, I believe sustainability is shaped by choices made before, during and after a journey. I intend to minimise unnecessary consumption by buying second-hand items where possible, reducing food waste, and relying on public transport, cycling and walking. I hope not only to volunteer while abroad but also to explore how ideas from my experience with food redistribution in London could be applied in new settings. By learning from community organisations in San Diego, I aim to exchange perspectives on reducing waste, supporting vulnerable populations, and promoting more sustainable patterns of consumption.
I chose UC San Diego because of its strong focus on marine biology and its coastal location on the Pacific Ocean. I look forward to studying in an environment where these issues are visible in the natural environment. This will deepen my understanding of challenges such as climate change, ocean pollution and biodiversity loss, which are closely linked to Goals 13 and 14. I hope to gain insight into how scientific research can contribute to protecting fragile marine ecosystems under increasing pressure.
For me, sustainable travel is not about perfection. It is about responsibility and intention. My studies, volunteering and year abroad are connected by one idea: that a more sustainable future can be built when we learn to see potential where others see waste.
