As an international exchange student, sustainability and being conscious of my impact on the environment is a crucial element to consider on my travel and lifestyle in my host country, Canada. Making eco-friendly choices are critical to attempt to slow down humanity’s impacts on the planet. Travelling abroad for study could be considered an unnecessary harmful action on the climate, but there are ways to live abroad sustainably and combat any negative ecological footprints in order to take part in such a unique and rare opportunity.
In line with the UN Sustainable Development Goal 13 of climate action, the mode of transport chosen is one of the biggest areas to consider when studying abroad, particularly for someone needing to travel overseas from the UK to Montreal. My initial instinct was to look into travelling by boat, in the hope of less CO2 being emitted than a flight, but after research it was clear one direct flight produced less emissions than a ferry and train. The Transatlantic Crossing with Cunard on the Queen Mary 2 cruise ship from Southampton to Halifax would emit 0.43kg of CO2 per passenger mile, which is almost double that which is emitted on a long-haul flight, according to The Guardian UK. CBC News also stated in 2022 that services by train from Halifax to Montreal generate up to 1,292kg of CO2 per person compared to the maximum of 482kg for an economic flight. In short, one direct flight would emit far less CO2 into the atmosphere than any other form of transport over that far of a distance.
Choosing your host country for the exchange carefully is key to an eco-friendly lifestyle, and McGill in Montreal has made major steps in creating a sustainable environment to live and study in. The Montreal Protocol aims to protect the ozone layer and be carbon neutral by 2050, but aside from that, steps by the university are making a large impact on the students’ Environmental Protection Measures. UN Sustainable Development Goal 11 is a sustainable city and community, and McGill has focussed on accommodation specifics which consider the environment. An example is the eco residences available where small changes have been made including compost bins, switching to LED lights and water conservation which have all had a major effect. Even promoting using public transport like the underground rather than driving are all transformative decisions made by the community. The Environmental Residence Council, as well as the “Fight the Power” competition promotes being more mindful of the environment as students.
Overall, an ecological footprint from this type of international exchange is pretty inevitable, but ways do exist to combat it. Air Canada, who I am choosing to fly with for their constant observations of their environmental impact through yearly sustainability reports, make regular efforts to counteract their emissions. Two hundred trees were planted in Toronto by employees and community members in “Project Green”, and I plan to take part in similar projects with the McGill Environment Students’ Society.
