Toulouse Capitole University → Cardiff University
This is it.
Cardiff University.
My lifelong dream finally coming true.
The room is filled with freshman-year students, eyes wide open and hearts racing.
In front of us, the President of the university, calm and collected. She raises her hand, and we go quiet, ready to hear whatever piece of wisdom she’s willing to share.
“My dearest scholars, welcome to Cardiff University.
As a member of the Russell Group, this institution is one of quality and excellence. You’ll be taught by professors that are experts in their field, and you’ll be given unique opportunities to improve your skills and broaden your horizons.
Nevertheless, this year is also about forging ties and trying to figure out who you are. Finding a way to do more than just passing through life is hard-won. Yet, let me suggest where to start.
Cardiff University has always been devoted to reducing its environmental impact, as well as meeting the sustainable development goals set by the United Nations. These tasks do not only lean on the staff, but they also lean on you.
Most of you probably took the plane to come here. On average, a flight produces between 90 and 250g of CO₂ per kilometre and per person, which makes it one of the most polluting means of transport. Fortunately, our school promotes measures you can adopt to live a more sustainable life.
Take food. Don’t pay full cost for pastries or vegetables. You can get them at a cheaper price by using Too Good To Go. So far, we’ve avoided almost 4 tonnes of carbon emissions. You can also stop by one of our pop-up farmer markets, where you’ll be able to buy local products while supporting small businesses.
Then, when thirsty, use a reusable cup. With our Refill Wales stations, you have access to free water, which is not only convenient but also has saved 100 million pieces of plastic as of today.
In addition, with Changing Steps Cardiff, you can collect points anytime you travel in a more sustainable way. With those, you can get discounts or donate them to the university’s biodiversity projects.
What you don’t need points for, however, are the used coffee grounds of the cafés on campus. Indeed, you can get them for free and use them for your plants. Even more interesting? We have Viva Engage groups within which you can exchange items you no longer need and therefore extend their use.”
The President stops, looks around her, and her smile widens, as if she knows something we don’t. Then, she starts speaking again.
“I can see I’m lulling you to sleep, but I made my point. Sustainability doesn’t seem fun, but it’s essential to protect our planet, and it’s not as difficult as it looks like.
This is why it’s among our top priorities at Cardiff University, and we would love if you took on this challenge with us.
Thank you.”
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References:
https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/cufoods/sustainability
https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/about/our-profile/who-we-are/sustainability/campus-and-operations/sustainable-travel
https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/about/our-profile/who-we-are/sustainability/campus-and-operations/waste-and-recycling
