My name is Tytus Murphy, I am a second year PhD student at the Institute of Psychiatry where I am investigating the effects of ageing on stem cells in the brain. I like our planet very much, am also concerned about climate change and am one of the founding members of Fossil Free KCL. I am very keen to bring all the green groups together at King’s, as together we are stronger. I am also quite competitive when it comes to growing vegetables.
On Monday 9th June the inaugural meeting of the recently rejuvenated Environment Society (henceforth and affectionately known as “EcoSoc”) took place at the Strand Campus.
This open and well-attended meeting attracted a diverse range of effusive students, ranging from undergrads in English and Economics through to PhD students with projects in war-region conservation and neuroscience. The vision for EcoSoc is a beautiful merger of eclectic green-minded groups at KCL (Fossil Free, Urban Gardens Project, The Sustainability Forum and any other group/individual with a passion for the environment!), with the aim of enshrining an ecologically sensitive consciousness for many years the come.
In particular, many green groups have been and gone in the College’s recent history and we plan to stop this by creating a collaborative, diverse and enthusiastic group that will stand the test of time.
Those in attendance expressed a desire to reverse the unhelpful stereotype of the self-righteous hippy. We are the rational ones and are committed to “mainstreaming” the green agenda at College and beyond.
At the meeting a committee was formed and we outlined some plans for Fresher’s Fair in September, these include “A green themed picnic frolic” on Sunday 21st September (we envisage a sustainable version of the mad hatters tea party), “Secret Green London” on Saturday 27th September (A clue-based orienteering extravaganza through the green hidden gems of our metropolis) and an “Organic/Craft beer pub crawl” on Tuesday 28th October.
As the term progresses we would like to have regular events, talks and socials all themed around the environmental issues dear to hearts.
For anybody who missed this meeting, do not fear! There are still plenty of opportunities to get involved at the committee level and we welcome all contributions big and small. Please email ecosoc.kcl@gmail.com for more information on our next meetings and join our Facebook group to keep in the loop with the latest green news and events at King’s.
EcoSoc is already a wondrous melting pot of ideas and people! And you are welcome to join us!
