As a Marine Biology student and avid scuba diver, I am acutely aware of increasing anthropogenic impacts on the environment, particularly our oceans. When choosing where to spend my year abroad, I knew I wanted to explore a completely different culture and marine environment to my home in Cornwall, UK. However, I was also aware that travelling over ten thousand miles to study at the University of Queensland, Australia, would have its own environmental implications, especially the high carbon emissions from flying. For those looking to offset the environmental impact of flying, GreenFleet (https://www.greenfleet.com.au/) is a great resource that offsets carbon emissions from flying by planting native Australian trees. Despite the impact of my journey to Australia, I am committed to making every aspect of this experience as sustainable as possible and leave a positive impact on the Australian environment.
Australia hosts a range of diverse and unique ecosystems both on land and in the ocean, and while studying marine biology there I will learn more about how to protect the marine environment, supporting UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14 – Life Below the Sea. My education will enable me to work in marine conservation through practical fieldwork, and research initiatives. For those looking to learn more about the ocean and sustainability, WWF Australia (https://wwf.org.au/what-we-do/oceans/) is a great resource to learn about the importance of our oceans, and how to protect them.
While I am in Australia, I will endeavour to make all my actions as sustainable as possible; even small acts can make a big difference. In line with SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities – public transportation in Brisbane is cheap and accessible, allowing me to travel sustainably whilst here. When possible, I will walk or take the bus to reduce my carbon footprint, using the Translink Queensland app (https://translink.com.au/) to plan journeys, making it even easier to use public transport.
In line with SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production – I am plant-based and will continue to eat a vegan diet during my year abroad. Reducing consumption of meat and dairy is a highly effective action to reduce carbon emissions, and I believe that small personal changes can have a big impact on a global scale. I use the app HappyCow (https://www.happycow.net/) to find vegan friendly restaurants and shops when travelling. To ensure ethical consumption and adhere to SDG 12, I also use the app Good On You (https://goodonyou.eco/) to find sustainable and ethical brands, but where possible I buy clothes second-hand to reduce waste.
My abroad will further my understanding of marine ecosystems around Australia and Queensland, including the Great Barrier Reef. Coral reefs are some of the most productive ecosystems in the world, supporting a quarter of all marine life, and are at serious risk due to rising ocean temperatures. This year I will gain vital experience and knowledge about ocean conservation, and I share what I learn to promote sustainable practices globally, encouraging others to protect the world we live in.
