As I excitedly prepare for my semester abroad to Finland in September I am reminded why I do engineering and what I set my sights on when initially selecting the course four years ago. While the fantastic opportunity is appealing in many aspects, one big one for me is being able to see how engineering has pushed Finland to be a global leader of sustainability. With all my projects in university thus far focusing on sustainable development in areas such as offshore wind turbines, or sustainable hydro dam projects, I have gained a real fascination and interest in sustainability in engineering. With this is mind I am extremely conscious of the carbon cost such travel is associated with, and equally aware that small decisions, particularly with international travel, can support much broader environmental progress.
As a result I was careful my plans aligned with the relevant sustainable development goals outlined by the UN, specifically SDG 11 (sustainable cities and communities), SDG 12 (responsible consumption and production) and finally SDG 13 (climate action).
Finland’s excellent reputation for being a sustainable nation makes it an ideal place to apply these principles in practise. In planning my trip I have made consistent efforts to minimise the environmental impact I cause. Whilst flying is unavoidable, I intend to offset my carbon footprint through sustainable choices both before and whilst there through a commitment to use their great bike scheme, limit long travel, and commit to using public transport where travel is required.
In addition to just travel, daily little choices in life can add to make a difference towards the SDG’s. I make an active choice to maximise the use of reusable essentials, whether it be refillable water bottles, recycled fabric bags or reusable containers, I avoid single use plastic, and put a focus on local and in season foods where possible for both health and the health of local business.
As previously stated, I not only want to practise what I can, but rather learn all there is to learn about sustainability, and how Finland do so well at it. Not only is this through engineering and the amazing projects that I am bound to engage with whilst studying there, but also learning from the locals and getting insight to the daily habits that undoubtably made a huge contribution to Finland’s carbon footprint today.
While I, as an engineering student, can easily get swept away looking at huge engineering progress in sustainability through big and wonderful innovation in wind energy or solar energy, I think the trip as a whole will reinforce that sustainability at its core isn’t just about the big flashy achievements, but rather the small little wins that everyone achieves everyday. Whether its choosing to recycle that bottle properly, or taking a bike instead of driving, its these little choices that I believe are going to contribute to my understanding and development just as much as my studies regarding sustainability whilst I stay in Finland.
