113. That’s the number of labradors which weigh the same as the CO2 emissions from a round-trip flight to San Francisco. The flights emit around 3.4 tonnes of CO2 (per economy passenger) and an average labrador weighs 30kg. I am aware of the ludicrous nature of this comparison however as a biology student I find 113 labradors easier to visualise than 3.4 tonnes! This calculation showed me the huge impact that travel has on the environment. Long haul flights are typically the greatest environmental impact of international travel so I know I have to try and mitigate the damage. Throughout my school and university career so far I have been involved with numerous sustainability initiatives so my year abroad will be no different. UCSC recognise the urgency of climate change, so I am excited to be somewhere so committed to making real change. The 17 Sustainable Development Goals agreed by the United Nations Members provide a roadmap for how ending poverty and improving peoples’ quality of life can go hand-in-hand with preserving the environment and countering climate change. It partly focuses on education being a key developmental goal whilst being as environmentally-conscious as possible. The goals that relate to my study abroad year most closely are responsible consumption and production (goal 12) and climate action (goal 13). Goal 12 focuses on reducing food waste and lowering energy consumption to preserve resources and sustain future generations. One way I am excited to implement this is through a community garden. The college I will live in has one such garden which meets twice a week to plant and tend to vegetables and plants. I can’t wait to get involved! UCSC is in the middle of the redwood forests – a huge carbon sink. Protecting these trees and planting food is a key way that we decrease the carbon in the atmosphere. Relating back to goal 12, growing up in Devon I love gardening and can’t wait to grow new food in California. Goal 13 is all about taking urgent action for the climate. I intend to integrate a policy that St Andrews introduced me to which was having dedicated meat-free days or even weeks. I have allergies so will begin by having a dedicated day each week eating plant-based and hopefully increase this if possible. UCSC has multiple dining halls and cafes so I am hopeful that this is very achievable. I cannot however, keep my care for the environment to myself so I intend to keep campaigning and raising awareness. I ran an anti-litter campaign a few years ago and am keen to apply to be a sustainability and environment justice ambassador where I would get to work with the sustainability team at UCSC to create change. Some resources I will make great use of next year are “Too Good To Go” which helps reduce food waste (goal 12), “Good on You” (goal 12), university buses (goal 13), carbon footprint tracker (goal 13) and the community garden (goal 12).
