Some of the most important conversations I have had at my university did not only take place in a lecture hall. They also took place at sustainability events, where students, staff and local residents discussed how to create a more sustainable campus. During my studies at Roskilde University, I have attended sustainability events whenever possible. One of them, “Green Conversations”, changed the way I think about sustainability. It taught me that meaningful change often starts with ordinary people making conscious choices in their everyday lives. As I have been preparing for my exchange at the University of Leeds, I have taken that mindset with me.
Sustainability is something I have considered long before my exchange semester. I could get from Copenhagen to Leeds faster by plane. Instead, I have chosen to travel to the UK by Interrail, using the Rail Planner app to plan a more sustainable journey. Whenever possible, I have preferred travelling by train rather than by plane. By travelling this way, I can reduce my carbon footprint while reflecting on the impact of my choices. It turns the journey itself into part of the experience rather than simply a means of getting from A to B.
In addition, I deliberately applied for accommodation close to both campus and the city centre so I can walk to lectures, shops and social activities instead of relying on transport. Once I arrive, one of my first priorities will be to invest in a bicycle, preferably second-hand, for longer journeys around Leeds.
I believe sustainability is reflected in the small habits we build with others. Inspired by initiatives such as Student Switch Off, which encourage students to adopt more sustainable habits in their accommodation, I will continue to sort my waste correctly and encourage my future flatmates to do the same. In addition, I will continue to choose more plant-based meals and reduce food waste by planning meals and using apps such as Too Good To Go and Olio. While Too Good To Go allows me to rescue surplus food from local businesses, Olio provides an opportunity to share any excess food I may have with other students and people in the local community instead of letting it go to waste. Lastly, I will also continue buying second-hand items through Facebook Marketplace, Vinted and local charity shops.
These choices align particularly with UN Sustainable Development Goals 11, 12 and 13: Sustainable Cities and Communities, Responsible Consumption and Production and Climate Action. Choosing to walk, cycle and travel by train supports more sustainable communities and lower-emission transport. Reducing food waste and buying second-hand encourages more responsible consumption. All of these everyday decisions contribute to climate action.
As a Danish student, I look forward to exploring how sustainability is approached in a country outside the European Union and bringing new perspectives back to Roskilde University through initiatives such as Green Conversations.
