Got your results? Coming to Manchester Met? It's time to plan the best week of the year.
Lets Talk About It: Climate Change
We know how much there is to think about in the world today, and the topic of climate change is no stranger to that list. It may feel easier to adopt an ‘out of sight, out of mind’ approach to things, but the situation is a worry for everyone.
Young adults, that includes students, are at most risk of feeling the effects of climate change - the current generation are the first to feel the real impacts of climate negligence.
This Earth Day, if you’re confused on where to begin, here’s a useful starter kit on organisations The Union work alongside that you can get involved with.
Manchester Friends of the Earth
Manchester Friends of the Earth is an award-winning environmental group, creatively campaigning on local, national, and international issues.
One of their main campaigns is Love Your Bike - a positive movement that aims to get people cycling more often. Initiatives, such as the Pocket Guide to Cycling and Bike Friday, help to let people know about the benefits of cycling and give them the confidence to do it regularly. They campaign to improve cycling facilities, such as the recent improvements to the Oxford Road cycle lanes.
Who better to chat through these initiatives than Isaac, a volunteer from Manchester Friends of the Earth:
Also, check out this visual guide we put together for bike riding around campus.
Groundwork
Groundwork Greater Manchester is working to create a greener, more resilient city region with stronger, healthier communities, responsible businesses, and better prospects for local people.
The organisation is committed to creating added social value through:
+ Community engagement
+ Landscape design and build
+ Training and coaching for employment
+ Early intervention to support health and wellbeing
+ Safe and sustainable business support
You can get involved with the work Groundwork do by checking for their opportunities on our Volunteering Portal. They regularly advertise roles including invasive species control, habitat conservation, horticultural days and more. If you’re passionate about sustainability, give it a go.
Manchester Met Sustainability Team
The Sustainability Team at Manchester Met work in different teams, across multiple projects to achieve the University’s sustainability targets.
These teams include:
+ Education for Sustainability Team – who work on academic research projects and curriculum development
+ Estates and Faculties Team – who lead on Operational Sustainability such as recycling, parking, and cycling
+ MetMunch – who lead nutrition workshops
There’re loads of ways you can get involved in reducing the university’s environmental impact with the Sustainability Team.
If you’re interested in attending one of their events or workshops, don’t forget to check out their events page.
The Environment team are also looking for students to lend a hand with more specific events, too. Slots are available for projects including sustainability live chats, webinars, learning experiences and campaigns – all to help drive a socially just and environmentally sustainable future. Don’t forget to register your interest if you want to give it a go.
Events at The Union
Art Exhibition: Hope for the Planet
Hope For the Planet is a student led art exhibition project. The aim is to spread awareness of climate change and the planet through artistic activism, AKA artivism.
We've had over 15 students submit amazing artwork and we'll be showcasing their art at our launch from 17:00 – 19:00 on 25 April, in The Union's Conference Suite.
Tickets cost £5 each and all profits will be donated to an environmental charity.
