Wheels made of pre-figurative politics, filled with the bustle of intercultural learning, energised by collective action. Let me tell you about what I learned riding through London and the critical humanities of SOAS.
We will not move an inch without pre-figurative politics – personally practising what one proposes for the broader society. During my exchange, I lived in a spare carriage, which otherwise would’ve been empty, at an acquaintance’s sustainable home where they grow vegetables, collect rainwater, mend clothes and make carpets. Moreover, we cooked together with local, plant-based and soon expiring ingredients. Since the end of February, I have stayed loyal to the train, the most sustainable transport.(1) Only sometimes hopping off with my foldable bike or catching a coach or a ferry.
The rattling of tracks whispered – sustainable transport is key in achieving sustainable development for which UN has defined 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Transport is the largest end-user of energy in developed countries and the fastest-growing one in developing countries.(2) Alas, people still fly, be it to mainland Europe or Estonia, my home, and it is not only the limited routes that stop people using trains.
Let’s look at the London-Amsterdam train operated by the UK-based EuroStar. Its frequency, speed and low emissions align well with the SDGs of a resilient, convenient infrastructure and climate action. However, even the cheaper EuroStar tickets cost two-three or three-four times as much as plane or bus tickets respectively, remaining inaccessible to a significant number of people. Meaning EuroStar still falls short on poverty, accessible transport, inclusive cities and reduced inequality SDGs. The same applies more generally to UK’s privatised railways and exemplifies clearly that achieving a responsible relationship to a thriving environment and an equitable sustainable society, the core of SDGs, is primarily a socio-political challenge. Our train to a sustainable future has been built, but still empty because our economy is led by growth, consumption and profits!
That is why, throughout my ride at SOAS and London among the intercultural bustle I focused on understanding how philosophy and creative expression are implicated in driving social change. For example, how normalising certain bodies has led to the inadequacy of accommodations for disabled people in the UK higher education and transport, related respectively to the SDGs of inclusive education and accessible cities. I also frequented many socially-engaged organisations, such as XR, SAVA at UCL and SOAS student organisations, to gain and share knowledge and personal experience about the practicalities and background of sustainability campaigns.
Rolling down the windows, we invite everyone to hop on, we do! Sustainable development is not achievable without everyone on board. Based on my informed commitment to sustainable personal practices, engagement in movements to advance it on a societal level and studying it academically – I can assure you the ride is worth it as much as it is needed! Wait, something still seems missing… A hearty zap of scholarship to animate my just bought three-month Interrail pass!
(1)https://ourworldindata.org/travel-carbon-footprint
(2)https://sdgs.un.org/topics/sustainable-transport
