Until you plan it properly, flying to Australia as a student seems reckless, like ordering avocado toast when you’re broke. Yes, I know it’s 10,553 miles away. Yes, I know it’s not exactly eco-friendly to fly halfway across the world to cuddle a koala while sipping an oat milk latte. I’m not just going for the Instagram posts, I promise. I’m going to study, grow, and aggressively overcompensate for the emissions with sustainable travel practices and a terrifying level of eco-awareness.
The flight? A one-way ticket to eco-shame. As a result of, and understandably, I cried into my reusable tissues and carbon offset with ‘Atmosfair’ because if I can’t undo the damage, I can at least fund a wind turbine in Peru and sleep a little better.
With its beaches, bike paths, and bushwalks, Wollongong is a haven for low-impact living. I’ve already arranged my schedule to include public transportation, walking, and cycling (Neuron, I love you). I picked accommodation close to campus, not just for the lie-ins and easy access to the beach, but to avoid the temptation of calling an Uber every time I blink. I even downloaded a step-counter to gamify my guilt.
My daily rules are simple: Avoid fast fashion (unless it’s vintage and reeking of regret), Plant-based eating (because oat milk is a personality now), Zero-waste kit in my tote bag (cutlery, coffee cup, suspiciously bruised banana).
As a psychology student, I’m captivated with the power of habit. Forget lectures and Freud; I want to know why a smiling, bright green bin makes people more likely to recycle. I believe sustainability is a behaviour, not a catchphrase. So, I’ll be documenting my small wins (and many fails) to prove that eco-living doesn’t mean living in a yurt eating lentils, unless that’s your thing.
I’ll also be comparing sustainability culture in Australia vs the UK. Wollongong has bushfire risk, coastal erosion, and serious biodiversity to protect. This aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals I’m focusing on: SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities), And a personal favourite: SDG 14 (Life Below Water)—because if the coral dies, I’m blaming everyone who ordered Shein hauls during lockdown.
My toolkit includes: Atmosfair – carbon offsetting for eco-guilt, Good On You – dodge dodgy brands, Too Good To Go – food waste warrior, Neuron – scooters, but sustainable
Being perfect is not the goal for this semester. It’s about improving, learning, and not single-handedly melting the ice caps while studying abroad. Because if I can leave Wollongong with a semester completed towards my degree and no plastic tan lines, I’ll consider that a win.
Resources:
1. MyClimate CO₂ Calculator https://co2.myclimate.org/en/calculate_emissions
2. Friends of the Earth – Does Carbon Offsetting Work?
https://friendsoftheearth.uk/climate/does-carbon-offsetting-work
3. Our World in Data – Travel Carbon Footprint
https://ourworldindata.org/travel-carbon-footprint
4. SDG Action Zone – How Can I Contribute?
https://sdgzone.com/action/how-can-i-contribute/
5. MDPI Journal – Environmental Psychology and Sustainability Habits
https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/18/9636
