My passion for the environment started long before I decided to study Geography. When I first learnt about climate change in primary school, I was shocked. How could something so catastrophic be happening to our planet while so little was being done to stop it? From that point onwards, I became determined to play a role in protecting the natural world and the life it supports.
Growing up, my family were a huge influence on this passion, especially my mum, who always encouraged me to live sustainably and appreciate the environment around me. To us, sustainability has never simply been about recycling or reducing waste. It is about respecting the planet we call home and recognising our responsibility to protect it for future generations. This passion ultimately led me to study Geography and shaped my ambition to pursue a career in sustainability.
In July, I will be embarking on a study abroad exchange semester at Curtin University in Perth, Australia. This is an opportunity I am incredibly grateful for. Studying in Australia will allow me to experience a completely different social, cultural and environmental landscape from the one I have grown up in within the north-east of Scotland and gain a broader understanding of global environmental challenges.
One of the main reasons I chose Australia is the strong emphasis my host university places on Indigenous Australian communities and their relationship with the environment. In particular, my module Indigenous Australian Land and Environments explores the deep connection Indigenous Australians have with their land and the traditional practices they have used to manage natural resources for thousands of years. I am especially interested in learning how Indigenous knowledge and land management practices can contribute to modern approaches to sustainability. Engaging with these perspectives will broaden my understanding of sustainability and encourage me to think beyond purely scientific solutions to environmental issues.
Through modules such as Urban Geographies and GIS and Remote Sensing, I will gain a deeper understanding of how climate change, urbanisation and environmental hazards impact communities across Australia. These subjects align closely with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, SDG 13: Climate Action and SDG 15: Life on Land. I am particularly interested in learning how sustainable urban planning and environmental management can create more resilient communities affected by extreme weather events. The university’s emphasis on geographical information science and remote sensing will enable me to develop technical and analytical skills essential for understanding environmental change and advancing sustainable practices.
While I am conscious of the environmental impact of travelling to Australia, I am committed to reducing my footprint by using public transport, limiting unnecessary domestic flights, supporting local businesses and reducing waste through reusable products. I hope this experience will strengthen my ambition to pursue a career in sustainability, environmental planning or climate resilience and provide me with the knowledge needed to contribute towards a more sustainable future.
United Nations (2015). The 17 Sustainable Development Goals. [online] United Nations. Available at: https://sdgs.un.org/goals.
