Growing up I hear many stories about our relationship with nature as humans. In Igbo mythology, Ala is the goddess of the earth, fertility and morality. She protected the earth and all living beings in it and any crime against the land was considered a crime against her. When I was young I did not think much of this story, but I now realise that this story is a representation of the deep relationship between Igbo people and nature. The land gives us life and its is our responsibility to care for it.
These values inspire how I wish to travel through the world, including how I will spend my time in the UK on my study abroad program. These same values are reflected in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals which provide a modern framework explaining practical ways to take care of our world today. While in the UK, I hope to make my travel as sustainable as possible.
During my stay in the UK, I will aim to incorporate sustainable practices into my everyday life in order to lessen the impact of my trip on the environment and contribute to a cleaner and safer planet. The first way I plan to do this is to reduce waste by using reusable water bottles and shopping bags. This lines up with the United Nations Sustainable Goals, particularly SDG 12 – responsible consumption and production and SDG 13 – Climate action. I will carry a reusable bottle anytime I leave the house and will refill it public fountains.
Another way I hope to engage in sustainable travel while I am in the UK, is to protect nature by following Leave No Trace principles whenever I am at national parks or hiking trails. By doing this, I will align with SDG 15 – Life on Land. I hope to achieve this by disposing of waste properly, staying on designated trails and leaving natural environments untouched. Doing all this will make it possible for visitors that come after me to enjoy these natural environments as much as I did.
I am also going to use more sustainable forms of transportation. This aligns with SDG 13 – Climate action. I plan to walk around more and use mostly public transportation over more private form of transportation. This will contribute to climate action by reducing my carbon footprint which would in turn reduce the level of greenhouse emissions in the atmosphere.
I have learned from my culture in Nigeria the importance of caring for environment because it gives us life. I plan to take these same values along with me to the UK and use my knowledge of the UN SDGs to ensure my international placement is as sustainable as possible. Just as Ala teaches us to respect and care for the earth, I hope my travels reflect that same responsibility.
Useful Resources/References
• United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: https://sdgs.un.org/goals
• Nordic Visitor: https://www.nordicvisitor.com/uk/travel-guide/sustainable-travel/
• Travel Local: https://www.travellocal.com/en/articles/what-is-sustainable-travel-and-why-does-it-matter-2
• Tales and Whispers: https://www.talesandwhispers.com/story/ala-the-forgotten-igbo-goddess
