The night before his flight to Prague, Ethan stared at his suitcase. While he was looking forward to his adventure, he couldn’t ignore a nagging feeling. Tucked between textbooks and travel guides sat something invisible but weighty: responsibility.
He had always dreamed of studying abroad, and Charles University was the perfect place. But as he zipped up his suitcase, he was conscious of the environmental cost of his journey. A round-trip flight from the UK to Czechia, he’d learned, would use 376 of his 1500kg climate compatible emissions budget, contributing to the 2.5% of global CO2 emissions produced by aviation. That fact didn’t stop him from going – but it changed how he’d go. He scrambled to atmosfair.de, a charity funding clean energy projects in the Global South – where climate change hits hardest due to poverty. “Wicked!” He exclaimed, learning that just 12euro would offset his flight’s climate impact.
Ethan had always chosen his feet or his bike in Nottingham, indulging in the exercise and indulging. In Prague, cycling was tough – cobblestones and steep inclines weren’t made for two wheels. So he downloaded PID Lítačka, the city’s public transport app, ready to explore. He rode trams, buses, and the metro into a sustainable future.
While exploring the city using the comprehensive public transport system, he stumbled across Nebaleno and Jelen, two package-free stores tucked into Prague’s neighbourhoods. On his first weekend in the city, he explored their neatly organized refill stations, stocked with everything from grains and spices to cleaning supplies. The calm, minimalist interiors and focus on sustainability gave him a sense of purpose. Each plastic-free purchase made the future he wanted to be part of feel more attainable.
Food waste was next. He installed Too Good To Go and Munch.eco, apps that connect users with surplus food from shops and restaurants. “Delicious,” he smiled, “and no waste.” These apps would feed both his stomach and his values.
Back in his new flat, Ethan tracked his habits using JouleBug, an app that gamifies eco-friendly actions. Turning off lights, shorter showers, and unplugging devices all added up. Chores became more like a challenge he wanted to win! Through Green Prague, a platform listing eco-events and volunteer opportunities, he attended local clean-ups and workshops. Not only was he immersed with his new city, he was also giving back!
Each choice he made – every tram ride, every container refill – was his quiet response to the world’s louder problems. Ethan wasn’t just studying climate action or sustainable cities through textbooks; he was living them. Responsible consumption, sustainable cities, and climate action weren’t just abstract goals anymore – they were woven into his daily life as he formed long-term habits to live more sustainably.
