Category: Guest blogs (Page 1 of 10)

Climate change: why the risks are so hard to understand (and what we can do about it)

July 18, 2023 / Jone De Roode Jauregi

This blog post was written by Kautuk Chaddha (he/him), Project Change Manager at King’s, member of the King’s Climate Action Network and Sustainability Champions group.

Art created using DALL·E 2.

The Complexity of Climate Change: Navigating a Global Puzzle

Climate change, a topic as vast as the world itself, can often feel like trying to solve a mind-bending puzzle. It is a conundrum that combines the intricate threads of mathematics, physics, chemistry, economics, social science, geography, earth science, data analysis, and countless other disciplines, and can often feel overwhelming. It can also sometimes feel distant and complex, shrouded in scientific jargon and expert opinions. But here’s the truth: understanding climate change is not reserved for the select few or confined to scientific circles. It’s a global challenge that demands our collective attention and action. In today’s world, where the impacts of climate change are increasingly evident, it has become imperative for everyone to take the initiative to understand this pressing global issue. Why? Because climate change affects us all, regardless of our background or beliefs. It poses risks to our environment, economy, health, and overall well-being. By gaining a deeper understanding of climate change, we equip ourselves with the knowledge and tools needed to make informed decisions and take meaningful action. It allows us to engage in informed conversations, advocate for sustainable solutions, and contribute to a more resilient future. Moreover, understanding climate change fosters a sense of interconnectedness, recognising that our choices and actions have far-reaching consequences, not only for ourselves but for future generations. By collectively embracing the responsibility to comprehend climate change, we empower ourselves to be part of the solution, driving positive change and creating a world that is safer, more sustainable, and prosperous for all.

Below are six of the most common reasons why people fail to understand the risks posed by climate change:

The risks are often framed in technical terms:

The communication surrounding climate change risks often involves technical language and complex terminology. This can present a challenge for individuals to fully grasp and comprehend the risks involved. Scientific reports and discussions by organisations like the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) may use specialised jargon that can be difficult for non-experts to understand. As a result, it becomes important to bridge this gap and translate technical concepts into accessible language, enabling a wider audience to engage with and comprehend the risks associated with climate change. By using clear and concise communication strategies, we can ensure that climate change risks are conveyed in a way that resonates with people from diverse backgrounds and facilitates their understanding and participation in addressing this pressing issue. When communicating about climate change risks, it’s crucial to use language of everyday and one that resonates with people from diverse backgrounds. Avoiding excessive jargons and instead employing relatable examples, metaphors, and analogies that draw upon everyday experiences. By relating climate change risks to familiar situations, we can make the topic more accessible and encourage broader participation in addressing this critical issue. Transforming technical concepts into visual representations can also be a game-changer. Infographics, charts, and illustrations can convey complex information in a simple and engaging manner.

The risks are often distant in time and space (and sometimes invisible to the naked eye):

Climate change risks often play hide-and-seek, testing our ability to connect the dots across time and space, while remaining invisible to the naked eye. Picture this: the full impact of climate change may not be immediately obvious, as it unfolds gradually over years and affects diverse corners of the world. This means that it can be challenging for us to see how our own lives are intertwined with the far-reaching consequences of climate change. For instance, consider the gradual loss of coral reefs due to ocean acidification — an almost invisible process to most, but one that threatens entire marine ecosystems and the livelihoods of coastal communities. Connecting the dots between our personal experiences and the broader consequences of climate change can be a challenge. We might not see the direct link between a heatwave in our hometown and the rising global temperatures, or how deforestation on the other side of the world affects our local ecosystem. But make no mistake, the web of climate change weaves through our lives, leaving no one untouched. Think of changes in rainfall patterns, disruptions to ecosystems, or subtle shifts in temperature that occur over extended periods, often slipping under our radar. By unravelling the puzzle of these elusive risks and bringing them into focus, we can empower everyone to grasp the urgency and take meaningful action in the face of this global challenge.

People hold different values:

When it comes to climate change, each person’s unique set of values can shape how they perceive and respond to the issue. Our values reflect what we hold dear in life, whether it’s our family, friends, community, nature, or even economic prosperity. Let’s take a moment to explore how these values can influence our understanding of climate change. Imagine someone who deeply values their family and community. For them, the impact of climate change on their loved ones and local community becomes a significant concern. They may see climate change as a threat to the well-being and future of their family, prompting them to take action. Now consider another individual who places great importance on nature and the environment. They might be deeply moved by the irreversible loss of wildlife habitats or the destruction of pristine landscapes due to climate change. For them, the urgency to address climate change stems from a moral obligation to protect the natural world we rely on. On the other hand, some people may prioritise economic growth and innovation. They might be concerned about the potential costs of addressing climate change or worry that stringent regulations could stifle progress. They might view the issue through the lens of finding economically viable solutions and technological advancements. It’s crucial to recognise that these values can differ across cultures and countries. In the Global South, where communities are tightly connected and rely on one another, the focus is often on the well-being of the collective and building resilience within local communities. Picture close-knit neighbourhoods supporting each other through thick and thin. On the flip side, in the Global North, there’s a stronger emphasis on individual freedoms and pursuing economic growth. Imagine a society where personal choices and economic progress are highly valued. These contrasting perspectives stem from the unique cultural and societal values of each region, shaping how they approach the challenge of climate change. Understanding these variations helps us appreciate the diverse perspectives on climate change and enables us to find common ground for meaningful discussions. By acknowledging and respecting these different values, we can engage in inclusive conversations about climate change that resonate with people from all walks of life. It’s about finding shared aspirations and connecting climate action to what matters most to individuals, whether it’s safeguarding their families, preserving nature’s wonders, or fostering economic prosperity. When we understand and appreciate the values that underpin our diverse perspectives, we can bridge gaps, inspire action, and collectively address the challenges of climate change.

The issue is politicised:

Climate change has unfortunately become a highly politicised issue, with politicians sometimes putting their own interests ahead of the urgent need for action. It’s disheartening to witness how some politicians treat climate change as a mere game, using it as a tool to score political points or advance their personal agendas, rather than actively seeking tangible solutions. Their actions, or lack thereof, can leave people feeling frustrated, unheard, and disillusioned. Consider a scenario where politicians deny or downplay the impact of climate change in order to cater to certain interest groups or secure short-term gains. Such actions not only undermine the urgent need for climate action but also perpetuate the division and confusion surrounding the issue. This politicisation hampers progress and obstructs the collective effort required to combat climate change effectively. However, here’s the essential truth: the effects of climate change do not discriminate based on political ideologies or party affiliations. They transcend boundaries and affect all of us, regardless of our beliefs. Think about the increasingly frequent and severe extreme weather events we witness, such as devastating floods, prolonged droughts, or scorching heatwaves. These events disrupt communities, endanger lives, and strain infrastructure, irrespective of political stances. To overcome the politicisation of climate change, it is crucial for us to hold politicians accountable and demand that they prioritise the well-being of both people and the planet over short-term gains or political games. We have the power to make our voices heard and drive meaningful change. By supporting politicians who genuinely prioritise climate action and sustainability, we can ensure our concerns are represented in decision-making processes. Additionally, joining grassroots movements, engaging in peaceful protests, and advocating for stronger policies can amplify our collective voice and inspire politicians to take decisive action. Climate change is a complex challenge that requires collaborative efforts and innovative solutions. We need our elected leaders to focus on finding practical, science-backed strategies that address the immediate and long-term impacts of climate change. By doing so, we can create a future where the health of our planet and the well-being of all people, irrespective of political affiliations, are prioritised.

People are not always motivated to act:

When it comes to addressing climate change, one of the significant challenges we face is that people are not always motivated to take action. The urgency and complexity of the issue can sometimes feel overwhelming, leading to a sense of helplessness or complacency. People may be preoccupied with their daily lives, juggling various responsibilities and priorities, making it difficult for climate change to take centre stage. Moreover, the consequences of climate change can often seem distant or abstract, making it challenging for individuals to connect their own actions to the larger global impact. Consider a situation where individuals are aware of climate change but struggle to translate that awareness into meaningful action. They might acknowledge the need for sustainable practices but find it challenging to break old habits or make significant lifestyle changes. It’s crucial to recognise that motivations vary from person to person and are influenced by a range of factors such as personal values, beliefs, and life circumstances. To address this motivational gap, we need to inspire and empower individuals to take action. One approach is to emphasise the personal benefits and positive impacts of sustainable choices. Highlighting how adopting renewable energy sources can reduce energy bills or how cycling to work can improve personal health not only creates individual incentives but also contributes to the broader climate change mitigation efforts. Additionally, fostering a sense of community and collective responsibility can help motivate individuals. Encouraging people to participate in local environmental initiatives, join community gardens, or engage in climate-focused events can create a supportive network and foster a sense of purpose. Education and awareness also play a crucial role in motivating action. By providing accessible and reliable information about the impacts of climate change, the benefits of sustainable practices, and the opportunities for positive change, we can inspire individuals to make informed choices. Sharing success stories of individuals and communities who have taken action can also serve as powerful examples and inspire others to follow suit. Ultimately, overcoming the motivation barrier requires a multi-faceted approach that addresses the unique concerns and aspirations of individuals. By recognising the diverse motivations and tailoring our messaging and strategies accordingly, we can create a supportive environment that encourages and empowers everyone to take meaningful action in the fight against climate change. Together, we can unleash the collective potential to create a sustainable and resilient future for ourselves and future generations.

The solutions are often complex and expensive:

When it comes to tackling climate change, it’s crucial to acknowledge that the solutions are often complex and require substantial investments. Transitioning to a low-carbon economy and implementing sustainable practices involves extensive planning, technological advancements, and significant financial resources. This complexity can make it seem daunting and unattainable for individuals and communities to contribute meaningfully to the solutions. For instance, shifting to renewable energy sources requires substantial infrastructure development, research and development, and policy support. Implementing energy-efficient technologies and practices in industries and households necessitates changes in behaviour and investments in new equipment and systems. Additionally, addressing deforestation, promoting sustainable agriculture, and transitioning to circular economy models all require comprehensive approaches that involve multiple stakeholders and require long-term commitment. However, despite the challenges, it’s important to recognise that there are pathways towards a sustainable future. The complexity and cost of solutions should not discourage us from taking action. Instead, we can approach the task by breaking it down into manageable steps and focusing on areas where we can make a difference. One key aspect is promoting innovation and technological advancements. Investing in research and development can lead to the discovery of new clean technologies, making them more accessible and affordable over time. By supporting and advocating for policies that incentivise clean energy and sustainable practices, we can accelerate the adoption of these solutions. Furthermore, fostering collaboration between governments, businesses, communities, and universities is essential. Universities play a crucial role in conducting research, providing expertise, and educating the next generation of leaders in sustainability. Through interdisciplinary studies and partnerships with other stakeholders, universities contribute to the development and dissemination of knowledge, driving forward sustainable solutions. Importantly, while large-scale actions are necessary, individual choices and actions also matter. Each of us can contribute to the solutions in our own capacity by adopting sustainable lifestyles, reducing waste, conserving energy, and supporting environmentally responsible businesses. Small changes, when multiplied by collective efforts, can have a significant positive impact. By recognising the complexity and cost of solutions, we can approach the task with a combination of ambition, collaboration, innovation, and the expertise of universities. By harnessing the collective will and resources, we can unlock the potential to create a sustainable future for generations to come.

In conclusion, climate change is a pressing global challenge that demands our collective attention and action. It’s not just for scientists or a select few—it affects us all. Understanding climate change empowers us to make informed decisions, engage in meaningful conversations, and advocate for sustainable solutions. By bridging the gap between technical language and accessible communication, we ensure that climate change risks are understood by people from diverse backgrounds. Connecting personal experiences to the broader consequences fosters a sense of interconnectedness, encouraging wider participation in finding solutions. Recognising different values and perspectives allows for inclusive discussions that resonate worldwide. Overcoming the politicisation of climate change requires holding politicians accountable and prioritising the well-being of both people and the planet. Motivating action involves highlighting the personal benefits of sustainable choices, fostering community and collective responsibility, and promoting education and awareness. Though solutions may be complex and costly, they are within reach. By supporting innovation, collaboration, and individual actions, we can pave the way towards a sustainable and resilient future. Together, we can make a difference.

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
Margaret Mead

A rare peek inside King’s Food’s new supplier: Reynolds

July 6, 2023 / Jone De Roode Jauregi

This blog post was written by Minseok Ryu, first-year Neuroscience and Psychology student at King’s and member of the King’s Climate Action Network.

Staff and students from the Sustainability Team (Jone, Jaydeep, Avash and Minseok) visited our new fruit & veg supplier on July 3rd to find out what makes them “more than just a greengrocer”. In March 2023, King’s Food held a veg and fruit tender where potential suppliers were assessed on – among other things – their responses to a set of sustainability questions, including product sourcing, food surplus, organic and Fairtrade certified produce, and carbon footprint measuring. Reynolds’ answers stood out.

12:00 Sustainability Overview

We start off with a delectable buffet to satiate even the most jaded appetite inside the ‘Avocado Room’ reserved for meetings which, to my dismay, is not entirely made of avocados. The vegetarian sandwiches subvert my preconceived notions with their authentically chewy texture, leaving me to chew on whether I should change my diet for good. Project Associate Nick Reynolds – one half of generation four within this family business – presents a high-level overview of company operations as relates to sustainability. One particularly noteworthy initiative in this vein is the recent introduction of reusable crates to replace their wasteful cardboard counterparts. To our delight, more than half of Reynolds’ clients – including King’s – have embraced this environmentally friendly scheme, returning the plastic boxes to the distribution centre at the end of the day. The only ones not joining the crate party are those tightly secured locations like airports, where even fruit and veg get patted down for guns.

13.00 Site Tour I

We are given hi vis vests and safety boots to wear with pride. It makes us sharp and confident, remarks Jone, instantly instilling a sense of team spirit as we leave head office. Stepping outside, we gain a glimpse inside their all-electric vehicle fleet boasting the latest monitoring gears to keep an eye on tyre particle pollution, in turn delivering significant emissions savings across the UK. Entering the warehouse, we are transported into the intricate world of grocery stack management. Towards the back, some of the potato piles attempt to channel their inner Leaning Tower of Pisa as they break into sweats in skewed fashion. The original potato supplier has evidently cut corners by reducing the thickness of its cardboard packaging, resulting in mouldy, damp produce posing a danger to Reynolds’ workers. An employee tags it bright red – rejected. Declared not fit for commercial standard, Nick explains they will back charge the farm source alongside a stern warning to improve delivery conditions as per contract.

13:30 Site Tour II

We are soon joined by several of his colleagues upon moving base to the quality control lab. Here, various equipment, such as an avocado pressure sensor, actively test the viability of randomly sampled produce to vet only the finest fruit and veg growers before Reynolds can safely sell them onto customers.

14:00 Site Tour III

A walk-in fridge greets us next, where we get to see (and touch!) live lobsters, swimming so serenely as if to silently indicate – much like how my Cambridge bestie can’t help but “silently” drop the C-bomb at the club – that they reliably hail from MSC (Marine Stewardship Council) certified sustainable fisheries. Strolling into the labyrinthine freezer further afield, breathing in the hauntingly refreshing air chilled at a nice and crisp -18 °C, there’s only one thing left to do to fight the numbing cold:

15:00 Departure

Next time I bite into my juicy avocado salad in the canteen, I’ll be sure to remember the behind-the-scenes efforts of Reynolds and their extraordinary dedication to our environment. Certainly, they’re not just a greengrocer – they’re the pioneers of greener transport, the protectors of pristine produce, and the guardians of a more sustainable future at King’s and beyond!

Vintage, Vintage, Vintage?

May 16, 2023 / Jone De Roode Jauregi

This blog post was written by Molly Nuttall, student at King’s Business School and founder of Robbin Hood UK.

I wouldn’t be surprised if Brick Lane started selling COVID test kits and calling them vintage.

Oh, how we love vintage clothes. They are chic and can be quite affordable. But where is the best place to buy? In my opinion, in charity shops as there is nothing better than a good hunt for a bargain and cherishing the clothing items while giving back to a cause such as Age UK.

Where you should not buy is online ‘vintage’ and be cautious when in areas such as Brick Lane.

Online vintage stores have mastered the word ‘re-worked’ which basically means that they buy a plain pair of black trousers from Alibaba and stick a Carhartt label on them. This happens a lot more often than you think, so be wary.

Brick Lane, however, is a larger problem. I love some items of clothes that I have bought, but that is because I have researched the clothing labels and materials that should be called Vintage. Additionally, I do know that a lot of the clothes being sold are sourced from charity shops, bought at as little as £1 and resold for £40. My problem with this is that £39 goes to the business and only £1 goes to charity.

Clothes donated to charity shops are done because of a good cause, however, ‘vintage’ shops make deals with charity shops to find items of clothing before it even hits the shop floor, this then means that the worker and the business are profiting but not the charity, in my eyes it’s immoral.

So I started a social enterprise called @robbinhooduk on Instagram. I pick up donated clothes and sort them out into two categories: 1) straight to donations (clothes such as plain shirts and comfy clothes) therefore they cannot be sold on and go to people that really need them; 2) the more colourful clothes that you might see on Brick Lane we sell them on Vinted and to independent vetted businesses, donating all the profit to chosen charities by the donees. No sneaky deals, just transparent transactions and getting the real price for clothes not inflated just because they are on Brick Lane or a swanky website.

Do your research and love pre-loved clothing.

Listening at The Big One and reflections from a King’s student

May 16, 2023 / Jone De Roode Jauregi

This blog post was written by Wendy Whittall, studying the Climate Change – Environment, Science & Policy MSc at King’s.

I was watching the Reverend Billy and the Stop Shopping Choir on the main stage. The Choir had not made the stage, maybe not even the UK, so we (a melange of protesters, environmentalists, protectors and activists at The Big One) watched hypnotised by the Revered Billy with his Elvis-style white shock of hair, dog collar and shiny, bright pink suit who had arrived from NY to give us an impassioned talk about the Earth which was interspersed with him singing enthusiastically…. Earth-a-lujah, Earth-a-lujah.

Earlier in the day, it was trying to rain when I had met up at the COVID memorial wall, the heart-covered wall on the Westminster side of the bridge, with members of the King’s Climate Action Network and South London Citizens to carry out a Listening Project on the first day, Friday 21st April, of The Big One, the four-day marathon XR event which had attracted over 200 organisations. The event was a change of tactics to be family-friendly, educational and fun with the hope of creating momentum to end all new government fossil-fuel licences.

I joined up with Paulina and Jone to chat with several people to find out their reasons for coming to The Big One. Our first conversation was with a worker who, with her large board, had taken the day off to protest against the government’s inability to push through the Buildings Bill which, if passed, would reduce dramatically the 50mt of carbon emission by the UK construction industry.

We then spoke to two lovely well-dressed ladies, one had graffitied the back of her expensive coat and re-engineered a green umbrella for the occasion, who had never been to an XR event beforehand and were motivated to attend as they understood it would be peaceful. They had arrived to support XR’s initiative to keep a future for their grandchildren. We also spoke to a couple of new sustainable businesses and long-time activists from Brighton.

Whilst we were watching the XR parade which included lots of drummers and spooky-looking people dressed head-to-toe in lipstick red floaty dresses, we met a young family from London whose boys had made their own banners, one stating “Don’t Wreck our Future” and the other “Don’t Throw it Away”.

After we had all gathered for a debrief of the project and left to go our separate ways, I continued down the length of Milbank dotted with many pop-up marquees à la festival including activists from Climate Justice, Greenpeace and Doctors and Psychologists were represented plus different forms of art activities. I was interested in talking to the Climate Fresk promoters, a collaborative workshop teaching the science of climate change based on the IPCC reports motivating a wider understanding of the problem.

To my delight I met, at the Climate Fresk stand, some environmentalists who had arrived from several different countries in Europe, Sweden, Germany & Belgium to name a few, to attend all four days. I spoke to a doctor from Germany who had arrived by coach with 50 other passionate environmentalists. He had in the past organised climate-related events and was at The Big One to understand the positives and negatives of the event to create a similar event in Germany. His motivation was the experience of heat exposure during the summer months, and how the media does not talk about the number of deaths in the elderly, the young and the vulnerable, over 8,000 in 2022. He said that Germany had already passed the 1.5C IPCC bar and that the summers are longer and hotter. He also spoke about adequate wind farm energy for the entire country but due to an archaic law, whereby, if there is surplus energy being produced the energy is reduced by ‘switching off’ the newest (renewable) energy, thereby leaving coal as the burning, polluting energy source. He also acknowledged that the Greens, in the coalition German government, had sold out politically.

And it was about then when the Reverend Billy entered on stage. It had stopped raining, the sun was out, and there was the heavy scent of patchouli and the faint whiff of weed in the air. After the final and rousing Earth-a-lujah, Earth-a-lujah, I wended my way back down Milbank to Westminster tube.

I hadn’t gone far when I met up with the Mothers’ Climate Action Network with one of the mums dressed in an eye-catching French blue sequinned trouser-suit together with a turquoise bobbed wig all framed by a massive globe that she wore like a giant circular wing.

Just a bit further on I met two lovely ladies carrying a gorgeous-smelling wreath made that morning in one of their workshops. Each flower and stick of herb that had been added to the wreath had a prayer attached and the following day, Earth Day, they were going to hold a service by the Thames and return the wreath to the Earth by floating it on the Thames and releasing all the prayers to the world.

Over the weekend, I attended a couple (6 hours worth) of Climate Fresk workshops in Canada Water where I met Ruth, who had been an XR Steward. I offered to return her aprons to The Big One on Sunday, and while doing so, I was persuaded to stay for a 10-minute Climate Justice comedy session by Kate Smurthwaite (www.linktr.ee/katesmurthwaite). Big shout out.

The Big One was an interesting and wonderful event that brought people together, those that have voiced on our behalf for years and those who would not have normally attended an event, speaking for our future. There were the loud and passionate Earth-a-lujahs to the quiet and spiritual wreath laying of our prayers. All of us whether loud, angry, hopeful, funny, spiritual or sad were all there for the same aim. It was a mess of emotions in a world of business as usual on a warming planet.

This listening exercise was carried out as part of a climate listening campaign being carried out by King’s Climate Action Network in collaboration with South London Citizens. The campaign brings together community members through a community organising approach and invites them to talk about issues related to climate change they care about and reflect on why they are important to them. By listening to and connecting with people, the campaign aims to build our collective power and create a local climate movement that puts our communities’ concerns first.

Fairtrade Fortnight 2023 at King’s

March 24, 2023 / Jone De Roode Jauregi

This guest blog post was written by George Hill, Library Assistant (Frontline Services) in Libraries and Collections at King’s.

Every year the Fairtrade Foundation organises Fairtrade Fortnight. This celebration of all things fairtrade seeks to raise awareness around key issues like workers’ rights, sustainability, and climate action; alongside encouraging people to swap Fairtrade-certified products. It also offers an opportunity for introspection and reflection, offering a chance for sustainability advocates and organisers to reflect on the successes of the fairtrade movement whilst looking at where we can improve.

As part of this year’s Fairtrade Fortnight, King’s hosted a talk on Ethical and Fairtrade Consumption. Our two excellent speakers included Ruth Strange from Ethical Consumer – a multi-stakeholder co-operative consumer magazine – alongside Lisa Connellan from King’s Food. Each had the opportunity to share what their respective organisations have been doing to encourage more sustainable and equitable consumer behaviour, as well as discuss what the next steps for achieving a more sustainable future might be.

Ruth kicked off her talk with a quick explanation of the excellent work done by Ethical Consumer in the field of sustainability advocacy and consumer choice. She explained how the magazine, founded in 1989, aims to offer consumers a clear and accessible way to compare how equitable and sustainable different brands and products are. The magazine scores particular brands and products out of 20 for sustainability and then ranks them against alternatives. It also offers a range of interesting ‘deep dives’ into everything from palm oil to tea to travel booking companies – helping to raise consciousness around issues like worker exploitation and climate degradation.

The main body of Ruth’s talk was an explanation and evaluation of the work of Fairtrade International and the Fairtrade Foundation. She framed this talk around five key issues: the meaning of Fairtrade, the importance of Fairtrade, its limits, and the accessibility (or lack thereof) of Fairtrade products. We learned how Fairtrade certification helps give consumers the information they need to help foster better consumer habits, in turn helping small producers – especially those producing products that were traditionally colonial cash crops for the west – to gain inroads into markets traditionally dominated by extractive and exploitative business interests. We also learned how Fairtrade promotes producers who guarantee fair wages for their employees; promotes worker democracy through collective bargaining agreements and trade union rights; and protects their workforce through minimum health and safety standards.

As well as emphasising the importance of Fairtrade and the good work that the Fairtrade Foundation does, Ruth also addressed some of the limits of Fairtrade certification. This includes the ongoing fairtrade certification of products produced by companies implicated in human rights abuses, as well as the problem of the affordability of some Fairtrade products. She nonetheless identified fairtrade as the ‘best option for continuous improvement’ – reminding the audience that it is best to not let ‘the perfect be the enemy of the good’.

Next up was King’s Food Manager Lisa Connellan, who offered an insight into some of the progress King’s Food have been making in implementing sustainable practices, whilst building on their varied and delicious range of food.

First on the menu was a look into King’s increasingly varied range of plant-based food. We learned that 65% of all food offered at King’s 20 outlets is now plant-based, with vegetarian and vegan options now served as default. This includes all kinds of different items, including ice cream, pies, croissants, and vegan sausage rolls (which I highly recommend). The university also no longer serves beef, rarely serves lamb and only sources from farmers committed to high levels of environmental stewardship. The progress King’s has made in reducing the amount of meat and dairy served means the university is now listed as one of PETAs top 10 vegan unis. It has also been awarded 3/3 stars by the Sustainable Restaurant Association.

Lisa also outlined King’s ongoing commitment to ethically sourced ingredients and to using fairtrade certified products throughout the supply chain. This includes King’s continued promotion of Fairtrade products, experiments with ‘reverse menu engineering’, and diligence in looking for the best and most ethical suppliers.

Looking to the future, Lisa said that King’s has a lot of plans for the coming months and years to help build on the university’s commitment to sustainable and ethical practices. This includes working towards getting a three-star Fairtrade University Award, looking into carbon taxing on products, further collaborating with students and researchers specialising in sustainability, and working with King’s Fairtrade and Sustainable Food Steering Group on how to implement policy.

Special thanks to all the wonderful organisers who made the talk possible, and to the King’s Sustainability team for all the work they do in promoting this important topic.

Relevant links:

Event recording: https://media.kcl.ac.uk/media/Ethical+and+Fairtrade+consumption/1_4vb28e3j
More about Fairtrade Fortnight 2023: https://www.fairtrade.org.uk/get-involved/Current-campaigns/Fairtrade-Fortnight-/
Fairtrade at King’s: https://www.kcl.ac.uk/climate-sustainability/operations-policies/fairtrade
Ethical Consumer: https://www.ethicalconsumer.org/

Student volunteering story: co-creating the KEATS Sustainability and Climate Module

March 9, 2023 / Jone De Roode Jauregi

This guest blog post was written by student and KEATS TakeAction team member Oliver Yu Hurst.

Hello! My name is Oliver Yu Hurst and I’m in the final year of my part-time MSc Climate Change: Environment, Science and Policy at King’s. I’m a Nature-lover, passionate about transdisciplinary approaches to tackling social, environmental and multispecies justice and sustainability issues.

I had loads of spare time during the summer holidays in my first year and wanted to use it wisely. I came across the Keats Sustainability and Climate pilot module via King’s Sustainability newsletter and will never regret enrolling on this fabulous module.

Why I loved volunteering? Aside from the engaging webinars and learning about topics that don’t receive much attention (e.g., digital sustainability and the multitude of stuff King’s is doing regarding sustainability), after completing the module, I gained the opportunity to volunteer with the Sustainability team on improving it for this academic year. Working with this very welcoming team and other students, I led on the What is Sustainability, Climate Crisis, and Social Sustainability sections, contributing at least 12,000 words of content. I also gained experience in creating podcasts and organising different in-person/online events to complement the module. It was a pleasure to apply what I’ve learnt so far at KCL and my BSc Geography with Business Management (Queen Mary University of London), to diversify perspectives of sustainability because this is often framed from a Western-anthropocentric worldview.

Why should you volunteer? Making the most of extra-curricular activities on offer at King’s is one of the best ways to expand your skill/experience-set, network, and ultimately make a difference that lasts. This opportunity (and I’m sure others) also helped me feel ‘closer’ to the university, meeting/working with the staff ‘behind the scenes’ – something which I think all students should get the chance to do.

Want to volunteer, but don’t know how? Sign up to the Sustainability newsletter; browse King’s Volunteering, King’s Edge, and KCL Student Union websites; and ask classmates, teaching and/or professional services staff!

Want to learn more? You can enrol on the KEATS Sustainability & Climate module here and gain a Sustainability Award by completing it before the 8^th of June.

Energy from Waste Tour: A Visit to Riverside Resource Recovery Plant in Belvedere, East London

March 7, 2023 / Jone De Roode Jauregi

This guest blog post was written by Hermione Dadone, Events Officer in the Fundraising & Supporter Development Office at King’s.

On a crisp November morning, a group of King’s College London staff and students set off for a tour of the Riverside Resource Recovery plant in Belvedere, East London. The visit was organised by Energy from Waste, a student-led group dedicated to promoting sustainable waste management practices and raising awareness of the importance of waste reduction and recycling. The group was told ‘just follow the big chimney’ and sure enough, it wasn’t too difficult to find our way, as a very tall silver chimney soon loomed in the distance as we walked from the station.

The Riverside Resource Recovery plant, commissioned in 2011 and opened in 2012, is an innovative facility that uses advanced technology to convert non-recyclable waste into electricity and heat. The plant collects waste from 90 vehicles across London and processes 850,000 tonnes of household and commercial waste per year, producing enough energy to power 180,000 homes. The plant operates Monday to Friday, with 200 container boxes unloaded every single weekday.

The tour started with a brief presentation on the history of the plant and the technology behind it. The group then donned high-visibility vests and hard hats before being taken on a guided tour of the facility by a member of Cory Group. The first stop was a view of the barge pier. Waste is transported to the plant via river barges, pulled by tug boats which run on vegetable oil, and can carry 60 containers at a time, equivalent to 22 lorries. The group watched a barge being unloaded and its yellow box cargo being brought up the pier runway via specially designed waste trucks. Next stop is the tipping hall, where the waste trucks tip their loads directly into the waste bunker from an 18-meter height, where the waste is stored before being fed into the furnace. In the waste bunker a colossal-sized round crane, like something out of War of the Worlds, is used push waste to the back of the bunker. There is an oxidizer system that sprays perfume to neutralize odours, and infrared cameras scan the waste to detect any hotspots and manage fire risk. If a hotspot is detected as reaching 60 degrees then the waste hotspot is picked up with the crane and removed straight into the fire chamber. If temperature in the waste bunker ever rises dangerously high then it is instantly cooled by water cannons that come on automatically if the temperature reaches 100 degrees.

The plant also has a system to deal with contamination in the waste. Waste inspections are carried out to identify and correct any contamination, and charcoal is used as a neutraliser for heavy metals, while lime is added to neutralise acids. The lime comes from Lancashire. The group learned that it is four times more expensive to process ‘dirty’ waste eg metals and other materials that shouldn’t be in general waste.

The heart of the plant is the energy recovery facility, where the waste is burned at high temperatures to produce steam. The steam is then used to power turbines, which generate electricity that is fed into the national grid. The biggest challenge for the plant is feeding the waste to keep the fire burning at a consistent level, which is directly affected by weather and how much moisture the waste contains.

Once the waste material has been burned, the plant recovers metals from the ash, which are then recycled for use in construction and other industries. The ash itself is used in making breezeblocks, capping for landfill, or in tarmac for roads.

The group was impressed by the scale and efficiency of the operation, as well as the advanced air pollution control systems that minimise the environmental impact of the plant, turning APCR (Air Pollution Control Residues) material into calcium carbonate pellets.

After the tour, the group had a chance to ask questions and discuss the plant’s role in sustainable waste management. The group learned that an additional neighbouring facility is currently being built that will allow the plant to operate on weekends, and will have a box shape design so that solar panels can be installed. With the addition of this new facility, the plant’s capacity will increase to processing 1.5 million tonnes of waste per year, making it the largest in Europe.

The visit to the Riverside Resource Recovery plant was an eye-opening experience for the King’s College London staff and students. It highlighted the importance of sustainable waste management and the role that innovative technologies can play in reducing our environmental impact. Physically seeing all that waste piling up at such scale should certainly encourage us as a community to be conscious of reducing our waste and always remembering our reusable coffee cup!

Find out more about waste management at King’s here and in King’s Climate & Sustainability Action Plan.

Student experience volunteering at the London Student Sustainability Conference 2023

February 27, 2023 / Jone De Roode Jauregi

This guest blog post was written by Elisabeth Möhlenkamp, first-year English Law and German Law student at King’s College London and volunteer at LSSC23.

LSSC23 student volunteers from various universities.

This year’s annual London Student Sustainability Conference (LSSC) was a collaboration between ten of London’s universities, offering a space for student-led talks, workshops, conversations, and presentations centered around the UN Sustainable Development Goals. As one of many volunteers helping ensure the day ran smoothly, I was intrigued to see how the conference would effectuate convergence between the differing ideas and perspectives on sustainability.

I am a first-year English Law and German Law student at King’s College London, and up until my final year, where I can choose to specialize in a particular area of law, I do not think my course will cover climate justice and the law in any great depth (although I will have to see). z. However, I have a profound personal interest in climate justice (which was one of my main motivations to apply to law school in the first place). As a result, I aim to take advantage of as many opportunities as possible to engage with people who work in sustainability, who can teach me about new developments, who can demonstrate how sustainability is incorporated into various fields of study, research, and jobs. I volunteered at the LSSC conference to meet coordinators and students who shared my interest in climate justice and sustainability more broadly. I wanted to listen to the talks and projects that were presented, and also knew that it would be valuable to participate in a conference where everyone, despite their area of study, had an interest in how we can make the UN Sustainable Development Goals a reality.

I left the conference with a few general observations: Firstly, the featured projects were tailored to speak to people with varying degrees of knowledge. Some projects required basic prior knowledge in the respective field to fully understand the studies: One student presented innovative chemical manufacturing processes of an alternative material to plastic. Someone else had creatively designed a card game to indicate a food’s wastefulness, climate-friendliness, and seasonality to consumers. Thereby, sustainability was presented as a broadly applicable topic, from everyday life to specialized scientific research.

Secondly, the conference undoubtedly mirrored that Sustainability hits a nerve with each and every attendee, and it stimulates dedication and interest in an unparalleled fashion.

The closing event, which reunited attendees for a networking session, clarified that sustainability is near to people’s hearts: rarely have I observed and engaged in this many animated conversations, nor have I experienced proactivity and willingness to collaborate to this extent.

At the end, I noted that my perception of sustainability had changed. I find that in a university environment, sustainability as an idea is often closely connected to a certain career path rather than an end in itself: In an academic environment, sustainability is often mentioned in relation to ESG or Sustainable Finance. Surely, this phenomenon indicates increased awareness to the topic, but it causes loss of sight of all the issues that sustainability truly encompasses. Food Insecurity, socioeconomic status, physical and mental health issues, and the intersection of sustainability and humanitarian needs were discussed in the conference. The diversified content reinforced the need for interdisciplinary exchange to maintain an overall perspective.

I am sure speakers left the conference feeling buoyed by the unanimously positive feedback. Two students contently reported that attendees responded to their respective talks with inquisitive feedback and compliments on the exciting insights. Indeed, a successful event such as this acts as a propelling stimulation for those considering dedicating themselves to a sustainability-related project. To me, the conference meant newly acquired knowledge, exciting ideas, illuminating conversations, and several thrilling book recommendations, which all touch on sustainability, in all ways imaginable.

Elisabeth Möhlenkamp volunteered at LSSC on 20 February 2023. Whilst the conference has now taken place, you can still view the poster submissions for the event here. The conference will take place again in February 2024.

FoDOCS students learning about the SDGs, the importance of green spaces and similarities between caring and growing

November 25, 2022 / Jone De Roode Jauregi

This blog post was written by Dr Flora Smyth Zahra, Clinical Senior Lecturer in Interdisciplinarity & Innovation Dental Education.

All two hundred of the new cohort of dental and hygiene therapy students at the Faculty of Dentistry, Oral & Craniofacial Sciences (FoDOCS) are being introduced early on to sustainable education approaches including collaborating, creative problem solving, cross-disciplinary content and critical thinking.

Within their first Clinical Humanities & Wellbeing module ‘Object Research for Beginning & Belonging’ they ‘Demonstrate through participation in all module activities a willingness to engage with new ways of looking and thinking about education and oral health care delivery with reference to the UN 2030 sustainable development goals.’ They also, ‘Relate the importance of flourishing for university learning to a commitment to life-long learning and have explored different approaches to self-care for a sustainable and healthy working life.’ (Learning outcomes taken from the Module).

As such, alongside guest speaker sessions on global oral health, cultural competency, leadership and indeed gardening and sustainability, they are also framing their learning around the SDGs and considering what they each might contribute as future change agents. Curricular time has also been given to wellbeing with students posting photographs on their KEATS discussion fora of outings across London, walking in the parks and exploring green spaces. Learning about stewardship followed by the simple activity of growing and nurturing cress seeds on their window sills and residences has struck many as a real parallel with their future roles as care givers and clinicians.

This is the first module in a yearly series of sustainable health care education over the three and five year degree programmes that is core to all undergraduate students in FoDOCS.

Vishwa’s green space

Meghna's picture of sunset/sunrise by the lake

Meghna’s green space

Rita’s cress

Nina’s green space

Yiran’s cress

Hishaam’s green space

Hamayl's picture of information in nature

Hamayl and the Ada Salter gardens close to our Guy’s campus

Experience participating in a climate migration programme

October 21, 2022 / Jone De Roode Jauregi

This blog post was written by Leander Bischof, International Development student at King’s College London.

In this blog post, I am describing my experience with the Erasmus+ programme on climate migration and unaccompanied minors in Sevilla. The programme was delivered by the local partner organization INCOMA (International Consulting And Mobility Agency Sociedad De Responsabilidad Limitada).

I had a fantastic experience with the hosting organization and the facilities they used. In general, this trip was well organized from the start to the end. I first noticed this programme through an advertisement by King’s College London. Throughout the application process and afterwards, during the introduction and preparations for the training, the staff was very helpful and professional. The pick-up at the airport went smoothly and all other transportation was delivered reliably. Throughout the training, INCOMA staff members were always available to support us. The hotel accommodating us was of very high quality, which made this a very pleasant experience. Most importantly, the training was fully funded, flights, transportation, hotel, and food expenses were fully covered.

Additionally, the participants were well chosen, all were from extremely interesting backgrounds. One of my highlights during the training programme were the presentations of other training participants about their experience with climate migration since the chance to listen and have a talk with such people is usually very rare. It was particularly inspiring to listen to the participants from Laamiga, a London-based organization that supports and empowers migrant women in the UK. I am also thankful that the programme allowed me to make friends with such inspiring people and I hope to stay in contact with them. The training usually finished in the early afternoon and thus, we were given enough time to socialize and explore the city. I am sure there is excellent travel advice on the internet, so I will not go too much into detail about the location. However, I really recommend visiting the Plaza de Espana and the Alcazar, both very beautiful places. Luckily, we were provided with 25€ per day, which allowed us to visit these tourist attractions and try excellent Spanish food.

The programme itself consisted of 6 days of training. On the first day, we mostly received introductions into the training programme and the overall issue of climate migration. We talked about expectations we had for the programme and our reasons to join. The first day did not contain much training but was rather used to allow us time to familiarize ourselves with the other participants and the city of Sevilla.

On the second day we mainly focused on mental health and its importance for both migrants and people working with migrants. We learned how crucial a good mental health condition is to be able to support migrants in their struggles. The training provided many useful information on how to improve the mental wellbeing of yourself and others. Later, we listened to the presentations of other participants. The first presentation was by two social workers from Italy, the second was about volunteering experience in France and the third presentation was about immigration in the UK. My highlight of the day was surely the third presentation by one of the Laamiga members about their work and issues they and other organizations face due to UK politics.

The third day of training was about the inclusion of migrants into educational and vocational pathways. The presentations of that day focused on migration from Bangladesh and on national identities. An important learning outcome was that the domestic population often reacts very repellent and that much work needs to be done to deal with aggressions, fears, and stereotypes in the local population.

Day four included more information on mental health issues of refugees and how to help in overcoming traumas. We also heard a very impressive presentation from a Turkish reporter about illegal pushbacks by the Greek coastguard in the Mediterranean Sea. Her presentation included one of her documentaries, showing refugees on completely overcrowded rubber boats who where troubled by a large boat of the Greek coastguard. It showed the aggressive and endangering behaviour of the European Union to prevent refugees from entering their waters, which has led to so many tragedies in the Mediterranean Sea. In the afternoon, we were invited for an Erasmus+ evaluation session on the training programme.

The next day was my favourite day of the week. Since we could not visit a refugee centre in Sevilla due to Covid-19 outbreaks, we had the head of the refugee reception centres in Sevilla come to us. His presentation had a strong focus on the reception system in Spain and on the issue of climate migration. Afterwards, we listened to the presentation of a cultural mediator who works with unaccompanied minors in Italy. Hearing his presentation was very captivating and inspiring. The presenter himself came as an unaccompanied minor from Gambia to Italy, taking the backbreaking route to Europe which so many African migrants have taken, and which has costs so many lives. Through the deadly Sahara Desert to Libya, where kidnappers and modern slave traders are preying on migrants, to the Mediterranean Sea where people spend many days on overcrowded rubber boat and finally to Italy. It was very humbling to hear from such a first-hand experience about these hardships.

The programme of the final day consisted of a visit to the Bioalverde farm, an inclusion project for climate migrants in Sevilla. On this organic farm, migrants who were unable to find a job are given the chance to earn a living. Sustainability in every sense was the main maxim of the farm, greatly supported by the local population. This last day was a fantastic ending for this trip.

On the next day, early in the morning we were brought back to the airport and flew back to London. In total, I can say the training programme was an amazing experience, and I am highly recommending this to all interested students and staff members at my university.

Find out more about Kairos: http://kairoseurope.co.uk/

Find out more about the training opportunities: https://migrationresearchgroup.wordpress.com/