When I first settled on Spanish soil, I surely expected to be greeted by Bilbao’s rich culture, fresh academic perspectives, and linguistic stimulation. What I hadn’t expected was for a city-wide blackout to grow my recognition for the thorough importance of sustainability.
Prior to studying abroad, my commitment to eco-friendly practices had been set in stone, and I was determined to carry these overseas. Through use of Cool Effect — a verified carbon offset program — I was able to neutralise my air travel impact (£10.96 donated for 0.1 metric Tonnes emitted) to go towards planting trees, building wind farms, and restoring degraded ecosystems. Thankfully, this action supports several of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, including Climate Action, as well as Affordable and Clean Energy.
Additionally, due to the city’s accessible nature, I’ve opted for using my feet whenever possible. Whether that’s for walking, jogging to a class I’m nearly late for, or cycling through the streets on a Bilbaobizi bike; they don’t discriminate.
Now, back to the blackout that danced through the city with little grace and brought all public transport to a halt, from the buzz of the trams, to the busy flow of the metros, it had all come to a grand standstill.
There wasn’t a lot left untouched, except for nature and people; a silver lining to a situation which may otherwise be labelled as extremely unfortunate. Therefore, it’s arguable that the key lesson to be learnt here is that life goes on.
I have now come to realise that sustainability doesn’t solely concern grand gestures or high-tech solutions. It includes resilience, cooperation, and conscious daily choices.
This unexpected event has become a powerful reminder of the UN’s 11th Sustainable Development Goal; Sustainable Cities and Communities.
A great hope of mine is that an increasing number of people will come to terms with the fact that nature will never fail them, just as it didn’t on the day of the blackout, and therefore, more should be done to support and uplift it through sustainable practices.
After all, not only does life go on.
It must go on.
________________________________________
Cool Effect. Join the Fight to Protect Our Planet. https://www.cooleffect.org/travel-offset
International Civil Aviation Organization (2019). ICAO Carbon Emissions Calculator. https://www.icao.int/environmental-protection/CarbonOffset/Pages/default.aspx
United Nations (2015). Atmosphere | Department of Economic and Social Affairs. https://sdgs.un.org/topics/atmosphere
