If we were meant to stay in one place we would have roots instead of feet (Rachel Wolchin) but can desires for travel collaborate with being an environmentalist?
The concept of sustainability is an ever-growing issue amongst present society and science. The travel quote money comes back, time doesn’t, can also equate to the detrimental effect that travel has over the world and its ecosystems.
In the heart of the Black Forest houses my prospective University, in Freiburg. This ‘green’ city is internationally recognised for its environmental protection and commitment to ecological advancements. Not only will there be a chance to become more sustainable minded during my year abroad, but also an adoption of these sustainable procedures (that satisfy UN Sustainable Development goals 11,12,13 – https://sdgs.un.org/goals) learnt within Freiburg can aid towards a sustainable life outside my year abroad.
The question also comes to mind about forms of transport and what type best aligns with UN goals for a more sustainable future. Of course a more sustainable means of transport to Freiburg would be a train from London – Paris direct to Freiburg Hbf (https://www.thetrainline.com/en/train-times/london-to-freiburg-breisgau-hbf). However, sustainable does not mean the most cost effective and therefore does not mean sustainable is always maintanable. As a student on a budget I shall instead look into more realistic changes that can be made to help make being sustainable more attainable. The small Black Forest city is blessed with sustainable means of transport from the world renowned biking culture (which I plan to buy a second hand bike) to their 100% renewable energy powered trams (https://www.greencitytimes.com/freiburg/), that run straight through the city and connect my university to my accommodation, How lucky!
Although I am lucky to have a placement in an already sustainable minded town there are some sacrifices that I need to make. I put my hands up! I am a bit of a shopaholic! This combined with my love for food can sometimes lead to a very damaging unsustainable pattern that is highlighted under goal 12 of UN SDG (https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/sustainable-consumption-production/. In Freiburg I hope to learn how to shop more appropriately using small business in contrast to big chains to reduce my waste result being high, I also strive to keep using the too good to go app to try and save any food items that are going out of date and being disposed of my the company.
I hope this experience allows me to learn and appreciate ways in which you can become more sustainable and not only allow me to come home and teach my family but to post about it internationally and try to educate people around me of its importance and the different approach that Germany has taken over it compared to where I’m from.
